Real tree Vs artificial tree? Is it a status symbol?

[CatsWhiskers1976]

Just putting up our artificial tree and having some thoughts.
At work the other day we got to discussing Christmas trees, and the old real vs artificial debate. It seemed to me that there was a bit of 'snobbery' against those who had artificial trees (maybe that's just where I work!). There were those who said artificial trees were just TERRIBLE for the environment. Given that most people I know have had their tree for many years (our family one was about 40 years old before it was replaced) is this really true? Cutting down live trees is okay for the environment? I have never had a real tree, growing up I didn't know anyone who had a real tree and in our circles it was usually only the slightly more well off people who ever had real trees. Apologies if this offends anyone, it was just my experience as a child growing up in working class Scotland.
Some people at work looked horrified at the thought of having a 'plastic' tree (mind, they were going off to cut the perfect one down on their 'estate').
So what do you think? Real Vs artificial? I spent a fair bit a few years ago to get a really nice realistic looking artificial tree which I hope will last years. At the time we had cats and I was afraid they would get hurt/never leave the real tree alone so I have stuck with artificial.
What does everyone else have? Do you judge people with fake trees?

We always had an artificial one, but that's because my parents were fun sponges whose only annual joy was complaining about having to get the tree out of the loft every December. Making the effort to go out and get a real tree would have been unthinkable.

I'm solidly MC grew up with a mix of artificial and real trees depending what mood my dad was in
and now we have a real one and an artificial one.
We like the trip to get the tree, we go to a xmas tree farm, it's a really great set up.
I like having a real one but we have a small artificial one which we've had for 20yrs & the kids now have it in the family room. I bought it for DH when we first got together and I couldn't believe he didn't have a tree.

Growing up, we had a silver tinsel tree which I thought was the most glamourous thing in the world. One year my dad brought back a real tree, and I thought it was very weird - it didn't look all fluffy and chipmunky like the trees on Disney Nature programmes. It was twiggy, hardly any needles and I hated the smell. Fortunately we covered it in so much lametta and tinsel that you couldn't see much tree.

Dh and I have had the same fake tree for 23 years, it's a bit wonky, but I love it.

Not read any of the replies but I've had my artificial one for 20 years and I'm fond of it so I hope it lasts another 20. Hardly single use plastic so I don't feel bad about it.

@Pinnacular

According to this article if you use an artificial tree for more than ten years it works out better. www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/christmas/christmas-tree-real-living-artificial-plastic-environment-carbon-footprint-a9235551.html%3famp

So, if you already have an artificial tree with a few years use you're on the way to the moral high ground If you haven't already got an artificial tree then root balled real trees are best, but I'd suggest buying a second hand artificial tree would always be better, as it's already in existence. Charity shops near us have lots at this time of year.

Our artificial tree is on 20 years of use and looks the same as when it was new. I find real trees indoors make me feel a little sad, plus all the extra vacuuming and cleaning they create can't be good for the environment either

I don't think the article quite says that tbh. It says you would have to use a fake tree for at least 10 years to equal the environmental impact of a responsibly-disposed of natural tree. And that's only in terms of CO². It also says 'once the time comes for the tree to be replaced, then you can look into the more environmental option of selecting a real tree for your home.

There's still the issue of plastic waste too.

DH family are middle class and always have an artificial tree. My family are decidedly working class and also have an artificial tree (because my sister is allergic to everything and they dint wanna risk a real tree). We also have an artificial tree because I can't be arsed with the faff of a real one every year, ours is really simple to put up, pre lit and 4 years old.

@PatriciaPerch

I was going to ask what the upper class do but I imagine they do whatever they want and don't care what anyone else thinks

It’s amusing that so many posters actually think that!

@JanetSnakeholeMacklin

I grew up in a single parent household, on benefits and in poverty. We always had a real tree. IIRC it used to cost £5-£10.

I like having a real tree now because it reminds me of real magical Christmas and I love the smell, but we got an artificial tree when our youngest was in his "into everything" stage and we used it again when our dog was a pup, and then again this year when we wanted to put the tree up early because everyone else was

(I now use skandinavisk skog for the Xmas tree smell instead)

Does the skandinavisk skog really smell of Christmas? Mind you it looks like it costs nearly as much as a tree!

We're MC and have both, small potted one for my husband and a 7ft artificial one for me, bought it about 15 years ago (B&Q premium) and it looks pretty realistic, but after all these years it's starting to lose some branches/berries etc so i'll be buying a new one and donating this one in January.
My daughter also has her own small fibre optic tree that she can decorate as she wishes as many times as she wishes

Not sure about class, but I have definitely noticed that some people with real trees are very against fake ones and can be a bit superior about it! Some fake trees are actually very expensive (although I appreciate of course you can get some very cheap ones).

We used to have real trees before DC and they were cheaper each year than to buy a nice artificial one.

Nice artificial ones are reasonably expensive, but other artificial trees can be cheaper and in my opinion some look really horrible.

I have a bigger issue with cheap, tatty trees that aren't built to last several years or are in silly colours that will be changed in a year or two. Same for themed trees where people feel the need to use baubles for one or two years and then get rid of them because they want to be blue themed and last year was pink.

Always real for me

Loved picking them each year with parents

DP from working class background grew up with fake ones and was a convert as soon as we got our first real one together

It’s the smell for me

We have cats but they don’t touch it

Artificial ones have improved a lot but you have to spend a lot to get a really nice looking one

Also I’m pagan so it’s part of my Yuletide traditions

Artificial for us, my parents have had their tree since I was 4 so it’s quite sentimental. I think it is a bit of a class thing, although on mumsnet I think even the artificial trees tend to be realistic ones from Balsam Hill or John Lewis, rather than a jazzy silver one from Wilkos.

I have had the same artificial tree for 8 years now and the ornaments on them are about 5 maybe.

I would rather reuse a plastic tree until it’s ready to dispose than use a real tree.

I can’t bear the idea of the needles everywhere either

Well, if you want pine needles littering your floor and think Christmas tree farms are a good use of land, then that’s up to you. Personally, I like getting the same faithful friend out of the loft year after year.

We have both.
Real one in kitchen /diner/living room and one in the snug which is artificial.
I must admit I love it when me and dp go to choose our tree.

I always grew up with real trees and have never had an artificial one apart from the ones my boys have in their bedrooms so it's traditional but also I don't like anything that's pretending to be something else - like mock Tudor houses, silk flowers etc. And the smell of a real tree is lovely. I guess environmentally real ones are best - they're grown for the purpose of being cut and are fast growing, so given that they are replaced when cut I don't think they make much of an impact.

For a certain type of middle class person it has to be a real tree. I live in a bit of an arty middle class area and I don’t know anyone except us that has a plastic tree. A big thing for this group is ‘authenticity’. They like to read actual paper books and listen to record players. The real tree is part of that ethos.

I'm not in the UK and we don't have the weird class obsessions you do. Some people have real some have artificial. Some have both, some have none.

We are all allergic to real trees so its easy. We had our last (excellent) artificial one for over 15 years, and we just got an excellent large full one for 100 euros that will last another 15.

What a weird thing to be snobby about...and how very British.

I've had my artificial tree for 9 years now, I like the idea of a real tree but can't be bothered with the faff. Maybe when this one gives up I'll think again

I love real trees, but I have a cat and a small baby and live in a small flat. I’ve had my artificial tree for 13 years now with no plans to change it unless it breaks.

Possibly? Although my artificial tree is vintage don’t you know. It actually belonged to my mother in law before us so is technically an authentic family heirloom too. I probably won’t replace it until it falls over because to be fair we only have ours up for about two weeks per year and I’m busy enough without faffing about clearing up pine needles etc.