Real versus Fake Trees

This probably comes too late this year for anyone who puts up a tree for the holidays. I don't, but I thought this was interesting nonetheless. In reading occupational safety and health news for my job, I came across an article on the eco-friendliness of real trees vs artificial. According to a botanist quoted in the article, real trees are the way to go. From organic tree farms when possible:

“For the environmentally conscious consumer, a live Christmas tree is preferable to artificial,” he said. “An expenditure on a live tree results in a carbon neutral purchase that poses very little environmental threat, while injecting money into the domestic economy.”

Springer added that the most environmentally friendly tree would be raised organically – without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides – in nearby environs with its roots intact, so that it can be re-planted after Christmas. He said buying from a local grower cuts down on the use of fossil fuels to transport the tree to the seller’s place of business, which reduces the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Do you buy a tree? If so, what kind?