Real Christmas trees are gaining popularity. But what are the perks?

Christmas is a season of decisions. Which gifts to buy, who will host on Christmas Eve, do you really need turkey and ham? You might also be wondering: plastic or pine?

According to a survey by The Australia Institute, three in five Australians (60 per cent) had a Christmas tree in 2022. Of those, 69 per cent had a plastic tree, 22 per cent had a fake non-plastic tree and 9 per cent had a real tree.

The big Christmas tree decision is being influenced by nostalgia and the environment. Credit: Aresna Villaneuva

While fake trees continue to dominate, as Australians opt for convenience over pine-fresh scents, interest in real trees has been steadily growing.

“There’s definitely an up-trend,” says Robert D’Arrigo, who works at the family-run business Merlino’s Christmas Trees in Wareemba. “We’re seeing the younger generation coming through and leaning into the nostalgia, trying to re-experience what their parents did over Christmas.”

According to global market researcher EMR, the Australian Christmas tree market reached over $108 million last year. It’s expected to exceed $154 million by 2032.

Justin Davies has only been selling Christmas trees from his family farm for two seasons, but he’s already seeing an increase each year.

Justin Davies from Davies Family Farms in Shepparton, which began growing Christmas trees six years ago, has noticed a similar spike.

“We’re only in our second season of selling, but we’re already seeing sales grow each year. Last year, we sold about 200 to 300 trees, and we expect it to increase again this year.”

The surge in interest began over the COVID-19 lockdowns, D’Arrigo says, when people were desperate to reconnect with nature and weren’t travelling. Once they bought one real tree, he says many became hooked. “Sales for real trees are still increasing, but it’s not quite as strong as it was over 2020 and 2021.”

What’s behind the trend?

Malene Hand, No Plastic in Nature policy manager at WWF Australia, says the environment is a significant factor.

“A real Christmas tree is always a better environmental choice. Plastic trees are made from fossil fuels and then transported across the world [predominantly from China, Taiwan and South Korea],” she says.

Robert D’Arrigo of Merlino’s Christmas Trees says real trees have been far more popular since the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Then there’s the issue of disposing of plastic trees. “We don’t have a safe or viable way to manage their end of life, so when plastic Christmas trees are thrown out, they either go into landfill or in some cases are burned,” she says. “Plastic does not decompose or return to the soil. It breaks into smaller microplastics, which remain problematic for the environment.”

A two-metre artificial tree has a carbon footprint of about 40 kilograms of carbon dioxide based on production of the materials alone.

Conversely, real trees take around four to 10 years to grow, thereby not only sequestering carbon, but also assisting with water filtration, flood prevention and reforestation efforts.

But real trees aren’t free from emissions. A two-metre tall, 10- to 15-year-old tree has a carbon footprint of about 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent, but this footprint worsens if sent to landfill since real trees emit potent methane when burned.

In addition to their environmental benefits, real trees are more accessible, Davies adds, with farms are popping up throughout regional and rural Australia.

“Once people pick out their tree for the first time, they get a taste for it,” Davies says. “It becomes a fun family tradition, and they tell their friends to try it.” There’s the added bonus os supporting local farmers and businesses.

How much will a real tree cost you?

Prices will vary depending on the type and size of the tree.

Davies says his trees are usually $12 a foot, so a 6 ft tree (a popular size) would be $72.

Prices at the Merlino Christmas Tree Farm have increased by about $5 year on year, D’Arrigo says. A 5 ft Monterey pine starts at around $125; however, they also sell smaller potted trees that start from $35.  The most expensive trees tend to be spruce or Douglas fir since they take the longest to grow (about 10 years). D’Arrigo says these tend to sell for around $250 (for 7 ft trees).

Buying a real tree

Though buying a real tree is generally preferable over plastic, says Planet Ark spokesperson Liam Taylor, they require maintenance, can be messy and can occasionally trigger allergic reactions.

“Most of these issues are minimised by getting an Australian native, with some great options like the Wollemi pine, holly-leaf Grevillea, Christmas bush and banksia varieties,” he says.

It’s vital that the tree is disposed of in an environmentally conscious way. Sustainability strategist Julie Boulton suggests chopping it up and leaving it in your backyard to naturally decompose. Otherwise, the pieces could be placed in a green waste bin for local council pickup. “If you buy it from a farm, ask if they offer a pickup service. They can then deal with the disposal and mulching,” Boulton says.

How to take care of a real Christmas tree

Davies suggests spending a bit more on a quality tree stand, which can then be used each year. “They’re worth the investment because they’ll probably last a lifetime if you put them in the right spot in the shed after Christmas.”

Place the tree away from direct sunshine, televisions and other heat sources that could dry out your tree prematurely. It’s also crucial to buy a tree stand that contains a water well. Davies says this will need to be filled to the top each day to ensure the tree remains hydrated throughout the season. A straight cut across the base can also help a tree take in more water.

By following these steps, a real Christmas tree should last the whole Christmas season (about four weeks).

Navigating plastic

Ultimately, using what you already own is best, Taylor says. “Whether that’s a real tree in the backyard, a potted native that can be enjoyed indoors and then planted outside, or even a beloved pot-plant.”

For those who already own a plastic tree, keep it as long as you can.

Senior lecturer at the school of life and environmental sciences at Deakin University, Trevor Thornton, says keeping a fake tree for about 15 to 20 years is preferable. “And don’t just buy the biggest [tree] because they require more resources to make – buy an appropriate size,” he says.

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