If you buy an artificial tree, it can take up to 20 years for the environmental costs of the plastic, shipping and subsequent disposal to be offset compared to a real tree. For real trees, be sure to source them locally. Many Christmas tree farms also host local bird populations! If cutting a wild tree instead of going to a farm, you will need a permit to do so ((http://ow.ly/5NnZ50xnl1s). Also remember to chip or compost the tree after you take it down, instead of putti