WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- More U.S. residents are putting up fake Christmas trees in their homes than are buying real ones, industry officials say.
This year, about 50 million fake trees will grace living rooms across the country, The Washington Post reported Friday. About 30 million pine and fir trees will be erected.
For buyers, the fake trees have certain advantages. While they typically cost more than the real thing, they can be used year after year. They also do not shed needles on the living room floor.
Some environmentalists say the real trees are more eco-friendly. During the 10 or 15 years they take to grow to maturity, they absorb environmental carbon dioxide and they are not shipped from China.
"This time of year, while people are thinking of gifts they get from under the tree, they should be thinking about the gift from trees," Stephanie Flack of the Nature Conservancy said.
But the American Christmas Tree Association argues that being able to reuse artificial trees cuts their environmental footprint down to size -- especially since the real ones have to be hauled away come January.
