Why you should get a real Christmas tree with a lower carbon footprint, not a plastic one

Green awareness may be boosting sales of natural Christmas trees this year as they have a much smaller carbon footprint than an artificial tree

It can take about 10 years to grow a Christmas tree, which has a much smaller carbon footprint than an artificial tree that has to be shipped here from the other side of the world. After being used, the real tree can be mulched or turned into compost. Left: Colm Crowley, owner of Cork Pot Grown Christmas Trees available at Mini Storage Mahon Industrial Park. Picture: Larry Cummins

It seems every household still gets a Christmas tree, regardless of cost-of-living increases and other adverse impacts on the pocket.

There’s even talk that the recent COP27 conference, in Egypt, may be leading to greater green awareness in Ireland, thus boosting the sale of natural Christmas trees.