Christmas tree - real toxic to cats?

[FrankieChips]

We always get real Christmas trees and our cat has never had any problems but apparently they are toxic to cats. Has anyone had any problems?

Yes they are toxic to cats, so we have never had a real one. We have an artificial tree but the cat also chews madly at it. To get them to stop I have to wipe peppermint oil over the lower branches ( it's a cat repellent)

This is a nice summary of Christmas cat hazards:

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/keeping-your-cat-safe-christmas

We've had cats and real trees for years with no ill effects and my cats have roamed outside where we have a large pine tree and evergreen hedges and have come to no harm. But best to look for reliable information like on the Blue Cross site and assess the risk.

Chica generally has one sniff when it’s first ‘erected’ then gets bored. Still, would much rather have a fake one.

The tree oils are mildly toxic, but Christmas trees taste nasty and bitter so it tends to be a quick chew and you get a bit of nausea and occasionally some vomiting.
By far the biggest risk is entanglement in lights and tinsel. If they mess with the tree and knock it over. Or get electrocuted through chewing the lights or an obstruction through eating tinsel.