As a third-generation Christmas tree grower, my connection to real Christmas trees runs deep, rooted in childhood memories and family traditions that have shaped my life. Some of my earliest memories are of playing in the ditches of my dad’s Christmas tree lot, breaking icicles as older cousins hauled trees out of the woods and piled them high around me. Summers were spent trekking through the fields alongside my dad, tagging trees for market and shearing them with precision to create the perfect triangle shape that certainly doesn’t grow naturally. As I grew older, I would spend my fall weekends, tired and hazed from high school parties the night before, snigging trees out to those various ditches I used to play in. Later, I paid my way through university swinging a machete in the sweltering summer heat, shearing trees in communities across Nova Scotia.
This lifelong relationship with Christmas trees is more than nostalgia—it’s a testament to an industry that is both a proud Canadian tradition and a sustainable choice for families across the country. Yet every year, I see more homes turning to fake artificial trees, unaware of what they’re leaving behind. It’s time to set the record straight: real Christmas trees are better for the planet, better for Canada, and better for the heart of the holiday season.
Real Christmas trees are the eco-friendly choice, far removed from the environmental toll of their artificial counterparts. Grown on sustainable tree farms across Canada, they act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon and releasing oxygen during their life cycle. For every tree harvested, multiple seedlings are planted, ensuring an ongoing cycle of environmental benefit. Artificial trees, on the other hand, are made from plastics in factories overseas, with a significant carbon footprint from production to transportation. Once discarded, they linger in landfills for centuries, unable to decompose.
In contrast, real trees are 100 percent biodegradable. Many communities offer recycling programs, turning old trees into mulch that helps green spaces thrive. In fact, each acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people daily, making them not just a holiday symbol but a year-round environmental asset. Growing up in this industry, I’ve seen firsthand the environmental care that goes into cultivating Christmas trees. My grandfather started by selecting the best wild trees he could find in the woods, but today, farmers work year-round to grow, shape, and nurture trees that are as beautiful as they are sustainable.
The Christmas tree industry is a cornerstone of rural Canada, supporting thousands of jobs in farming, transportation, and retail. Every real tree purchased helps a local grower, supports small businesses, and contributes to the fabric of Canadian communities. Compare this to artificial trees: often marketed as “one-time purchases,” they funnel money out of Canada and into the hands of overseas manufacturers, with no benefit to Canadian workers.
For me, the tradition of real trees runs deep. Even my own political career began, in part, because of Christmas trees. When I interviewed for a job with former Nova Scotia MP Gerald Keddy—himself a former president of the Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Association—it was the Christmas tree experience on my resume that caught his attention. We spent nearly the entire interview talking about trees, and that shared connection helped forge a professional relationship that I value to this day.
People walk to Place Royale where a giant Christmas tree is illuminated in the old historic area of Quebec City, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press.
A real Christmas tree isn’t just a decoration—it’s an experience. There’s magic in bundling up on a crisp December evening, heading to a tree lot or farm, and carefully picking out the perfect tree with your family. That shared ritual creates memories that last far longer than the holidays themselves. And let’s not forget the scent. No candle or air freshener can match the crisp, natural fragrance of a freshly cut balsam, pine, or spruce filling your home. It’s the unmistakable smell of Christmas—a sensory reminder of nature’s presence in our most cherished traditions.
The idea that real Christmas trees are dangerous fire hazards has been grossly exaggerated, fueled by dramatic controlled tests with dried-out trees under extreme conditions. But the numbers tell a different story. According to the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas trees account for less than 0.001 percent of residential fires annually. To put that into perspective, you’re far more likely to experience a fire caused by unattended cooking, which accounts for nearly half of all home fires. Even candles pose a 50 times greater risk of causing a fire than a Christmas tree.
The key is proper care. A well-watered tree is remarkably fire-resistant, as confirmed by studies from the American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In controlled tests, hydrated trees barely smoldered under conditions that caused dry trees to ignite quickly. The science is clear: the risk isn’t in the tree—it’s in neglecting to water it. Even artificial trees aren’t fireproof. When they do catch fire, the plastics used in their construction release toxic fumes, posing a greater health risk.
The overblown fear of Christmas tree fires distracts from the real danger: losing a tradition that connects us to nature, community, and family. Real trees are more than safe when properly cared for—they’re a sustainable and deeply meaningful part of the holiday season. Instead of fearing a phantom hazard, we should embrace the joy and authenticity of a natural tree. The effort of picking one out, setting it up, and caring for it is part of what makes the season so special.
Yes, artificial trees may seem convenient, but convenience often comes at the expense of authenticity and sustainability. A plastic tree is a shortcut, a way to avoid the work—and the reward—of engaging in a tradition that’s been a cornerstone of Canadian life for generations. Real trees connect us to the land, our families, and our communities. They are symbols of effort, care, and joy—qualities that no pre-lit plastic imitation can replicate.
This holiday season, as you prepare to bring the spirit of Christmas into your home, consider what your tree truly represents. Is it a symbol of convenience, imported plastic, and environmental cost? Or is it a celebration of tradition, sustainability, and Canadian pride? For me, real Christmas trees are more than just a holiday staple. They’re living traditions, rooted in Canadian soil and brimming with meaning. They’ve been a part of my family for generations, and every December, when I bring that beautiful balsam fir into my home, I’m reminded of their enduring magic. Let’s honour that tradition, support our communities, and ensure that the scent of fresh real Christmas trees continues to fill Canadian homes for generations to come.
