It has become a discussion in the household. This writer, who once worked at a Christmas tree farm, and his partner have been talking the pros and cons of purchasing a natural or manufactured holder for Yuletide ornaments, the one that stands over the presents.

The main argument for the person who has tended to trees in summer and winter is no needles on the living room floor. The point from the other one is the lovely pine smell (which also comes in a can). Neither Chistmas tree is cat-proof, as we may be about to find out at the relatives’.

But what of environmental impact? Alas, here too the sides are divided. The Nature Conservancy has sided with Mother Nature (go figure – she’s in the name) as the best producer and warned of the impact of transport from China, the global centre for faux fir. 

Not so fast, countered the American Christmas Tree Association, which noted that a life-cycle analysis says go artificial if the holiday corner filler is to be used for at least five years. 

But that group seems to like artificial trees just a bit too much, almost as if members (not listed) fabricate such products. The US National Christmas Tree Association, people who grow trees, touted their own harvests. “Fake Christmas Trees however are a non-renewable, non-biodegradable, plastic and metal product most often made in overseas factories.”

A range of easy-to-find media articles weigh the arguments for both models. More importantly, the subject is a great topic for conversation should discussions of say politics or religion become too heated at gatherings of family and friends.

Happy Holidays!