’Tis the season. And no, it’s not a cop-out to buy that fake Xmas tree at last

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Published Date 12/7/2023

Real or fake? Chop one down, go to your nearest tree lot, or take the plunge and blow the wad on a fake tree that can be used nearly interminably?

We’re talking Christmas trees, and every year there’s a debate about this. If you’re concerned about the environment, according to Greenpeace, you should keep an artificial Christmas tree in use for at least 8 years — but preferably 20 or more — to keep its lifetime emissions to a minimum.

According to Ecowatch’s Paige Bennett, each year in the U.S. alone, consumers purchase about 10 million of these fake Christmas trees, many of which are made from PVC and cannot be recycled. “Luckily, they can be reused, and with proper storage and a little elbow grease each year, your family Christmas tree can become an heirloom to hold on to for decades,” says Bennett.

These fabulous fakes don’t come cheap. Depending on the size and whether they’ve got built-in lighting, expect to pay between $150 and up to $500 or more. Again, if you’re eco-conscious, look for retailers that have made commitments to sustainability, perhaps through using renewable energy in their factories or partnering with sustainable organizations.

“For the tree itself, consider height and width,” says Bennett. “You want something that is going to last many years, and that means it should be able to move through life with you. You may live in a loft apartment with tall ceilings now, but will your nine-foot-tall tree still work if you move to a place with low ceilings in a few years’ time?”

Pre-lit trees are handy, because you don’t have to fuss with stringing lights around a big tree. Now that it’s out of its box, the first step to making the tree look fuller is to fluff the branches. Start from the inner part of the tree at the bottom, gently tugging the branches outward and spreading them out from one another. Enlist the help of others to make this task go by faster.

“After fluffing out the branches, your tree may still look sparse, especially if you’ve had it for several years,” says Bennett. “Invest in lush garland, especially real or artificial evergreen options, to match the tree and make it seem fuller.”

Got more gaps? Pile on the decorations. Trim the tree in wide ribbons and large ornaments to disguise the spaces between branches. Just be sure to avoid ornaments that are too heavy, which can pull down certain branches and make those gaps look even larger.

You may not be left with the pine needle mess of a fresh tree each year, but you can and should be cleaning your fake Christmas tree each year. Before it’s time to display your tree for the year, make a plan to clean the tree of dust or debris that may be hiding in the branches after months in storage. If you want to make the most of an artificial tree, however, take the time to care for any broken lights each year.

Bennett says to (1) remove lights and other electrical elements from the tree if they are not built in (2) use a vacuum or microfiber cloth to dust the branches, and (3) For dirty trees, mix a couple tablespoons of dish soap into a bucket of warm water. Use a microfiber cloth dipped in the soap-and-water mixture to wipe down the branches, then set the sections of the tree on towels to dry before assembling and adding lights.

If you can, keep them in their original box and make ample room for them in your garage or storage shack. Christmas trees stored away in cramped spaces for 10 to 11 months of the year tend to leave you with compressed branches, leaving large gaps in the tree.

If you must make the tree more compact for storage purposes, purchase a storage bag that is long and wide enough for your tree. Some options even stand upright or have wheels to move them around easily.

While you’re probably tempted to hide it away in the attic or garage, keep in mind that major temperature and humidity changes throughout the year can lead to mold, mildew, or fading of the tree.

Make sure you remove ornaments to prevent breakage. Remove garland, light strands (unless the tree is pre-lit), and other decorative items. Organize them to make decorating next year easier, and keep the most fragile items in labeled, hard storage bins to avoid damage.

When it’s time to put the tree in its bin or bag, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to fold in the branches and take apart the tree. This will help keep that artificial tree in tip-top shape for years to come.

Ecowatch, TBWS

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Bobbie Jo Haggard, NMLS 92472;
Licensed to do business in Washington & Oregon.

Heartland Mortgage, Inc. NMLS# 3205; Office(509) 529-3280
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