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Two seniors picking out a christmas tree
Halfpoint/istockphoto

Christmas comes swiftly every year, and after a season of gift shopping, every dollar spent feels like a hefty weight. Christmas trees aren’t cheap, and those prices add up, too.

Which states buy the real thing and which bust the fake ones out of storage each year? OnlineCasinos put together a little report about which states prefer real versus fake Christmas trees, along with a ton of piping hot holiday tree data. Here’s what they had to say.

Which States Prefer Real Christmas Trees?

Beautiful fresh cut Christmas trees at Christmas tree farm.
arinahabich/istockphoto

The majority of our country prefers a real, living tree. Here are the states where real trees reign supreme:

  • Alaska
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Idaho
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennnessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

What Is the Average Cost of a Real Christmas Tree?

Christmas Tree Price Tag
u/high_gravity via Reddit.com

It’s no surprise that Christmas trees have gotten crazy expensive in the last 10 years. According to Finder, a Christmas tree in 2014 cost an average of about $40. It has since doubled: Today, trees cost around $80 on average.

What Are the Pros of Real Christmas Trees?

Boy holding a saw near cutting down Christmas tree view with branches and trunk ready for celebrations
SerrNovik/istockphoto

OnlineCasinos lists some pros and cons of both real and fake trees. Here’s what they had to say in favor of real trees.

  • Real trees are biodegradable and renewable.
  • When you buy a real tree, you are able to directly support local agriculture.
  • Trees are, of course, good for the planet, and help to absorb carbon dioxide.

What Are the Cons of Real Christmas Trees?

A Christmas tree in the back of a pick up truck
Pete Van Vleet/istockphoto

Real trees are an undeniable hassle. You’ll need to find a way to transport it home, and getting rid of it is no picnic if you’re trying to do it responsibly.

Which States Prefer Fake Christmas Trees?

Artificial pine tree for Christmas decoration.
RHL Acil Banjar/istockphoto

Only 18 states prefer fake trees. Here are the ones that are setting up Christmas with a lot less hassle than the rest of the country:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Virginia

What Are the Pros of Fake Christmas Trees?

Latin mature woman decorating a Christmas tree at home. Low angle view with copy space.
Carolina Jaramillo/istockphoto

Here are some of the pros of an artificial tree:

  • This is a one-time purchase, and you’ll use it for many years.
  • Fake trees are extremely low-maintenance, which means no watering.
  • They always look healthy.

What Are the Cons of Fake Christmas Trees?

A person in tan pants and black socks has fallen into a large cardboard box with an artificial Christmas tree, their legs and arms sticking out as the box sits on a wooden floor.
RonTech2000 / istockphoto

Unfortunately, they’re not great for the environment since they aren’t made of renewable materials and use up lots of electricity.

What Is the Average Cost of a Fake Christmas Tree?

Sale of many artificial Christmas trees in green, purple and white at a decor store
Pridannikov/istockphoto

According to NBC, the average Christmas tree costs about $100. If that’s the case, they are no longer that much pricier than the real thing, and they come with multiple years of use.

How To Choose the Perfect Tree

Young couple browse Christmas trees on a Christmas tree lot in search of the perfect tree for their home.
SDI Productions/istockphoto

OnlineCasinos suggests the following if you’re looking to pick out the perfect tree, real or fake.

  • Make sure your tree is right for the space it’s going in.
  • Be sure you’re ready for the maintenance required for either type of tree.
  • If you do buy a real tree, aim for local farmers rather than places like Home Depot.
  • Take care of your tree by watering it to extend its life.

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Meet the Writer

Wilder Shaw is a staff writer at Cheapism who has written for publications like The Washington Post