Real or Fake Tree? Royal Oak's SOCRRA Weighs In

SOCRRA is the municipal corporation that serves Royal Oak and other nearby cities by picking up and handling all of the recycling. With an eye toward doing what's best for the environment, SOCRRA has weighed in on the debate between buying a real Christmas tree or a fake one.

Artificial trees became available in the 1930's and, since then, families have had to decide between the two. Buying an artificial tree will save money over the long run, and it will save on maintenance. But SOCRRA points out that artificial trees may have more of an effect on the environment because of the use of PVCs.

Real trees provide oxygen for the environment and jobs for the people who grow and sell them. Real trees can also be recycled, and 93 percent of them are each year in the United States. But some areas use harmful pesticides, and shipping the trees long distances can be harmful to the environment.

Overall, SOCRRA recommends going with the real Christmas tree.