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Real or Fake: Pros and Cons of Holiday Tree Choices

It's a topic of growing debate: natural or artificial Christmas trees? Everybody has an opinion! On one side you have the great pine smell. On the other side you have the increased fire danger. You may already have your mind made up about what type of tree you want, but if not, here's a list of the topics to consider before you purchase your tree.

1. Expenses. Fake trees come out ahead if your primary goal is to save money. Real trees can be very expensive, depending on the type of tree you choose (Noble firs are the highest-priced, Douglas firs are next.) The price can seem overwhelming when you consider the purchase price of a tree every year for 10 years. Artificial trees are a renewable resource, and the best of them are designed to be passed down to your children. Most, however, have a life of approximately 10 years, so a fair cost comparison with 10 real trees shows a significant edge for the faux fir.

2. Health. Artificial trees have gotten a boost from the growing number of aging Baby Boomers. Hauling an 8 foot tree out of the lot, into the car and up the steps can become more and more difficult as the years go by. And we haven't mentioned the hassle of taking the tree down and properly disposing of it at the city's mulching site at the close of the season. An additional health issue is allergies: some people break into sustained sneezing when they get near a natural spruce.

3. Convenience. The fake tree industry became the choice of a majority of the country when it developed pre-lighted and pre-decorated trees. Fakes were always popular because they could be stored in a box and easily assembled, but their popularity exploded when people realized that pre-lighted trees freed them from the endless task of untangling light cords.

4. Cleanliness. Think of a carpet full of pine needles and a vacuum cleaner eternally clogged. Here, the advantage is with fake trees.

5. Odor. There's nothing like the aroma of a freshly cut pine tree to make you smile with holiday cheer. Artificial tree proponents tell us to buy a can of pine-scented tree spray, but it's just not the same. If you crave that holiday scent, the only choice is a real tree.

6. Naturalness. Artificial tree makers are doing a good job. When decorated, many people have trouble telling a fake tree apart from a real tree.

7. Safety. Natural trees will slowly dry out, even if they're watered regularly. Dry trees and dry needles can be fire hazards, especially when Christmas lights become old and frayed. Fake trees are designed to be much safer.

8. Tradition. Despite the many advantages of fake trees, some people refuse to part with their natural pines. Traditionalists feel that the Christmas spirit is symbolized by the annual ritual of choosing and decorating a natural tree.

Have you jumped on the fake-tree bandwagon or are you a traditionalist? Whatever you choose, remember that the lights and decorations of the holiday season can pose an increased fire danger. Be sure to check your current policy to make sure you're covered. And, if you're looking for additional or new coverage, remember that NetQuote can connect you with qualified local agents who can find the best price and coverage for your home.

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