Christmas trees have been a tradition in homes for centuries. Their stature and beautiful decor radiate a warm and festive ambiance.

The history of Christmas tree production has evolved, going from a family excursion to the woods to chop down a tree to driving to purchase one at a local farm. Recently, consumers have been offered another alternative: the fake tree.

The decision that must be made between these varieties has created a stir amongst holiday enthusiasts. Many argue the benefits of their side in hopes of outdoing those who oppose them.

Brianne Raymer, ’06, and her family decided to purchase a fake tree after an alarming incident.

“One night our tree fell over because it was cut unevenly,” Raymer said. “We woke up to a huge chaos of pine needles and broken ornaments. Even worse, water ran down onto the gifts which caused wrapping paper colors to bleed onto our carpet.”

Still, some prefer the natural version.

“My family always gets a real tree,” Micah Walker, ’05, said. “You just can’t buy a fake one and get that same great holiday smell.”

Environmentalists say plastic trees are detrimental to the environment because they create hazardous fumes if they catch on fire, and they cannot be recycled. Most fake trees are also manufactured outside the U.S., raising concerns about outsourcing.

Fresh trees have their advantages; they absorb toxins from the air to create oxygen, are recyclable and are grown in all 50 states, which benefits the soil.

“Real Christmas trees are the best,” Andrew King, ’06, said. “Not only do they smell good, but they are more fun to buy.”

However, fake trees do have an upper hand in some areas. They can be purchased at most stores for under $100, they last for many Christmas seasons and they rarely shed their plastic pine needles.

Currently, Target’s online store offers a faux Chelsea 6-1/2″” pine Christmas tree on sale for only $34.99, while most fresh trees cost between $50-100+ for the same size.

“We’ve had our fake tree for five years,” Raymer said. “I like them better because they look the same, but they aren’t as messy as real trees.”

Yet whatever holiday trees are made of, they continue to fill homes everywhere with Christmas spirit.

For more information on Christmas trees visit http://www.christmas-tree.com/facts.html or http://www.target.com.