Live Christmas trees offer a more eco-friendly alternative to artificial ones made from non-biodegradable PVC. An updated guide highlights eight sustainable options for holiday decorations. These methods reduce environmental impact while enhancing seasonal enjoyment.
As the holiday season approaches, selecting a Christmas tree involves balancing tradition with sustainability. Published on November 6, 2025, and originally from 2013, Earth911's article emphasizes that live trees are preferable to artificial varieties, which rely on petroleum-derived plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that do not biodegrade.
The guide outlines eight eco-conscious approaches. First, rent a live tree from a nursery, which may arrive decorated; water it during the season and return it for reuse. Second, opt for a plantable tree that can be transplanted outdoors after the holidays, weather permitting, to lower carbon emissions.
For outdoor enthusiasts, decorate a living tree, bush, or shrub in your yard, allowing year-round appreciation. Creatively, make your own tree using pruned branches, fallen wood, pine cones, holly, and natural decorations like popcorn garlands or homemade ornaments. DIY ideas from BoredPanda are suggested for ambitious projects.
Year-round options include purchasing a potted evergreen such as Norfolk Island pine, dwarf Alberta spruce, or small juniper. Care guides from Gardening Know How and The Stem provide tips for maintaining these as houseplants, decorating them annually.
A living rosemary topiary serves as a fragrant, edible tree; MasterClass offers shaping instructions, while Classic Casual Home suggests mini versions for centerpieces. For reusability, create a branch or driftwood tree mounted on a wall or in a planter, as demonstrated by Sustain My Craft Habit and Most Lovely Things.
Finally, repurpose a wooden ladder or build shelving for ornaments and greenery, with tutorials from Instructables and Smor Home. If choosing a cut tree, recycle it for mulch, erosion control, or habitat via Earth911's Recycling Search.
These options promote sustainability without sacrificing holiday spirit.