“All of the environmental groups and all of the scientists say you should use a real tree. The debate is over,” said Rick Dungey, a spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association. “The only people still talking about it are the people trying to sell fake trees.”

Artificial trees are made from a kind of plastic called polyvinyl chloride, which is derived from petroleum and can contain lead or other harmful toxins. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, about 80 percent of fake trees are manufactured in China, where most electricity is generated by burning coal—one of the dirtiest fuel sources.

After the trees are made, they must also be shipped across the ocean, usually in diesel-fuel powered ships, resulting in