I’ve heard, seen, and read all the discourse over the years debating if real Christmas trees are better than fake or artificial ones.

It’s no surprise that many folks would argue the fake Christmas tree is better.

They usually say they’re saving a real tree’s life by not cutting it down. On top of that, they could reuse that same fake holiday tree for many years on end.

But there are several problems with fake trees that come before and after you’ve used that artificial Christmas tree. I’ll invite an expert in to share why real Christmas trees are better. Plus, I’ll take you to where my wife and I buy real Christmas trees near us. (Yes, even in Central Florida there are Christmas tree farms where you can cut your own holiday trees!)

Real Christmas Trees Are Better According To A Horticultural Scientist

I’ve bought real Christmas trees with my family since the 1980s. So, I have my own opinions and personal experience on buying a real holiday tree. But I want to get someone in on the conversation who really knows her stuff about this.

Tina McIntyre is a Florida-Friendly Landscaping agent at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture (UF/IFAS) Extension in Seminole County, Florida. As you’ll see here, she is unequivocal on why real Christmas trees are better. “From an environmental perspective, purchasing real trees or harvesting your own from an approved area, such as a National Forest once you have attained a permit, is always better!”

McIntyre says, “Artificial trees are made from plastic and do not biodegrade. They ultimately end up in the landfill or in the environment such as the ocean or dumped in the forest adding to trash and pollution in our ecosystems.”

I asked her what the reasoning might be for buying an artificial tree. I also wanted to know if there were good options for buying a fake Christmas tree.

“Many people think that by buying an artificial tree they will reuse it year after year. However with the consumeristic tendencies in the holiday season we do see people opting for new artificial trees. If you really want an artificial tree, perhaps consider one from a thrift store or one from a friend or family member that still has some potential. Possibly the worst of the options are the pre-lit trees. When one light in the string goes out then the entire tree becomes almost obsolete.”

Why Real Holiday Trees Are Better Than Fake Ones

“Real trees sequester carbon, build the soil, provide habitat, and the bulk of our holiday trees are U.S.A. grown. They are not being shipped in from far away countries. So, you can be proud of your holiday selection,” explains McIntyre. “Of course, if the tree was not cut down for holiday display, then it would continue to survive and sequester carbon, which would be a good thing for the environment. However, many holiday trees are harvested from managed agricultural units and not conservation areas.”

This led me to wonder what the best real Christmas trees in Florida are. McIntyre has her pick. “In Florida, the species of choice is the native sand pine, or Pinus clausa. This is a sustainable and renewable species that has that classic tree shape that we are all looking for when celebrating the holidays.” She adds, “In a properly managed agricultural area this species can proliferate and produces a vast amount of viable seeds.”

My wife and I were glad to know McIntyre likes the Florida native sand pine for a real holiday tree. It’s our favorite, too, as you’ll see in a few moments.

Other Ideas For Live Christmas Trees

But the native sand pine isn’t the only good option for real Christmas trees in Florida. What about using a potted live trees for the holidays and replanting it in your landscape? “If you are interested in planting your tree after the holidays, additional Florida-friendly options include the southern red cedar or the Norfolk Island pine,” recommends McIntyre.

“This would likely be the most sustainable option because you are getting the ecological benefits year after year,” she says. “Not only are you saving money each year you reuse the tree, but it also becomes of sentimental significance to you and those that gather for your holidays.”

Note here from me: I have lots of family and friends who live north and west of Florida. Take McIntyre’s advice and adapt it to native trees that are great for the holidays and grow well near you. Choose the best living Christmas trees near you by using local gardening guides and the USDA Hardiness Zone map.

Cutting Down And Buying A Real Christmas Tree At A Farm Near Us In Florida

As I mention earlier, my family introduced me to the beloved tradition of buying fresh-cut Christmas trees back in 1989. I’ve continued this holiday custom into my adulthood, and now my wife and I buy real Christmas trees each year.

Some years we buy fresh-cut Christmas trees. Other times we go to our favorite Florida Christmas tree farm near us where we can cut our own trees!

Our first time going to a cut your own Christmas tree farm in Florida was full of fun memories… And a bit of pine sap! Staking out just the right tree to cut down and put in our home for the holidays was fun. It was more exciting than shopping for a fresh cut tree from a parking lot or home store.

Granted, real Christmas trees that grow in Florida aren’t like the fragrant balsam and Fraser firs from North Carolina’s mountains. But the native sand pine we spotted amid arborvitaes and blue point juniper had that perfect holiday look to it. And it was just the right tree for us!

So, I took the saw the tree farm lent to us and went about cutting the little sand pine down.

We were charged per foot of tree purchased. And that came out to a slightly lower cost than what we would’ve paid for a freshly cut fir of equivalent height.

Most important are the fun memories we made cutting our own real Christmas tree.

It was the first time either of us cut our own Christmas tree. And I can assure you we’ll cut and buy a real Christmas tree from a farm again!