Are live Christmas trees more flammable than artificial trees?
The short answer is no. A fresh, North Carolina grown tree however is your best bet for the holiday season. The key to a flame resistant, “real” tree is keeping it from drying out. Purchase it soon and keep it outdoors in the shade until you are ready to decorate it. Cut an inch or two off the tree trunk and place it in a bucket of water. It will absorb a lot of water the first 24 hours (approximately 1 gallon). Once it is in the tree stand and brought indoors, trees normally take up about a quart a day after the first day. Keep it coming, and don’t let it run out. According to Gary Pierce, Extension agent, “Place the tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, wood stoves and heating vents. Cover any nearby vent with a piece of cardboard if possible. Heat will cause a tree to use more water and dry out faster. If you listen to the worry warts, you may think live Christmas trees spontaneously combust. Although they may burn, live Christmas trees do NOT cause fires. Candles, overloaded
I think real or live trees are the better choice, at least from a personal & public health standpoint. The most environmental way to enjoy a Christmas tree is to buy a live tree with its roots intact from a local grower, and then replant it in your yard once the holiday has passed. Living trees contribute to positive indoor air quality. So it’s one of the advantages.
