Real or fake? How to make your “tree-mendous” decision

With a little over two weeks left until Christmas, the annual holiday debate has begun — whether to purchase a real Christmas tree, or a fake one.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, around 20-30 million real trees are sold in the U.S. every year.

Employees at the YMCA tree lot said they started out with around 400 trees for sale and now they only have a little more than 100 up for grabs.

The YMCA’s Christmas tree lot has been providing trees for families for the last 35 years. From Douglas Fir to Grand Fir, there are a lot of trees to choose from.

“Last Saturday was really really busy,” said PJ Holm, coordinator. “The evenings have been steady, but we’re over halfway and we’re trucking along.”

So we took to Facebook and asked the question, real or plastic? The result? Undecided. Most who prefer real trees enjoy the scent, and those who sided with plastic trees preferred the cost and durability.

“I’ve heard a lot this year, more than in years past, from people who have had fake trees for years and years and years that are going back to the real trees this year,” said Holm.

But no matter where your tree comes from, either a forest or a factory, you still have to choose.

“Some like the really skinny trees, some like the really full trees,” said Holm. “One will jump at you and call your name.”

All of the money raised at the YMCA tree lot goes into their scholarships for kids. That fund helps provide childcare and gets kids into after-school and sports programs.

Believe it or not, real North American Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states… even Hawai’i.