The Georgia Forestry Commission encourages Georgians to buy real trees for their Christmas decorations instead of artificial ones.
Artificial trees have a carbon footprint that can be up to 10 times that of a real tree, said spokesperson Wendy Burnett.
“Manufacturing (artificial trees) puts carbon into our atmosphere, and once we’re done with them, they sit in landfills for a lifetime,” she said.
Most real Christmas trees are cut down at about seven years old when they are the ideal size for decoration, Burnett said. As they grow, trees spend their lives supporting a wildlife habitat, absorbing carbon, releasing oxygen, stabilizing soil and cleaning water.
And environmental benefits don’t stop after real trees are cut down. Unlike artificial trees, real trees can be recycled by being ground into wood chips for playgrounds, yards and community green spaces. Plus, if residents live near large bodies of water, they can be submerged to create fish habitats.
Another benefit is the smell of real Christmas trees can create a more festive atmosphere.