Having a Christmas tree was a tradition first popularized in the mid 19th century, and is still going strong today! Many people prefer the annual experience of picking out and cutting a fresh tree each year, but some people’s particular circumstances prevent them from enjoying these holiday festivities. 

For instance, people intolerant to pollen may not be appreciative of the signature scent of a tree as pollen allergies can be aggravated by the pollen given off (especially from pine trees, one of the most common types of tree used). Those with asthma may face problems as well from the dust, microscopic mold spores, or other air contaminants that are released from or collected on a real tree.

Bringing us to our next point, flammability. Live trees, being made of wood, can catch fire easily when lights are strung around it, especially if the tree isn’t being properly watered. 

Artificial trees, on the other hand, can be treated to be fire resistant before purchase. In addition to watering, real Christmas trees are a lot of work. They are quite messy, need upkeep, and are a pain to lug in and out of the house before and after the holiday season. 

Not only that, but replacing your tree every Christmas isn’t very cost efficient. A six to seven foot Douglas fir is about 115 dollars, while a seven foot pre-lit artificial tree ranges between two and four hundred dollars. Sure, an artificial tree would be a larger up-front deposit, but over time, the artificial tree will average out its price with both money and effort. Overall, having a real Christmas tree is a hassle, a health concern, and expensive to upkeep. As such, artificial trees are the superior option.