Real vs. fake Christmas trees: The great debate, explained

• But the debate isn't as "black and white" as it's being portrayed, says Lorena Grundy, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. "Classic academic answer: It depends."

Driving the news: A new study from researchers across the pond found that reusing artificial trees 3–5 times can leave less of a carbon footprint than those who buy and harmfully dispose of new real trees every year.

• The results suggest there's a "tipping point" where fake trees become superior, undercutting a long-held notion that it's hard to mitigate emissions from manufacturing just one artificial tree, Stuart Walker, a researcher at the University of Sheffield in England, tells Axios.

Yes, but: It depends.

How it works: Real trees, which can take seven to 15 years to grow, absorb carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into breathable air through a process called photosynthesizing, experts say.

• Some real trees are burned after they're disposed of, releasing all that carbon back into the atmosphere at once, Walker says.
• Under that scenario, reused fake trees are better because their carbon footprint is spread over several years.

But if the real trees are "composted or sent to landfill, they are better than even a 5-year artificial tree," per the study.

• Ultimately, artificial trees reused for longer will be better for the environment.

The other side: Tim O'Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, says real trees are beautiful and biodegradable and keep family-owned operations in business.

But what about cost? Real trees can be pricey (averaging $80–$100 these days), especially depending on when you buy them.

• Fake trees are, too. But the price, like the carbon footprint, is spread over several years compared to splurging for a new real one every year.

For many, it comes down to experience.

• Many families enjoy the tree hunt, bundled up and sipping hot cocoa to fend off Jack Frost.

• O'Connor's family found a bird nest in a tree they cut down years ago. They've kept it intact ever since, and now it's the first decoration to go on the tree during the holidays.

Grundy, who's put up the same fake tree for more than three decades, has many family memories with their artificial one.

• She remembered the year she got her first cellphone. Her parents called it from home, and the box rang under the tree.

The intrigue: Several readers told us they've become fake-tree converts after years of putting up real trees.

• Chris M. says there's "no going back" after he wasted $110 on a real tree infested with bugs.
• Jacqueline M. loves the convenience of quickly unpacking and decorating her fake tree while sipping wine: "I saved thousands of dollars over the years."

💬 Our thought bubbles:

• Isaac: I'm Team Fake Tree. But to be real: Do you, Douglas Fir. Do you.
• Mike: I'm all in on real Fraser Firs. It's not the holidays in my house without the evergreen smell and pine needles scattered everywhere.