As we head into the holidays, an age-old debate sparkes new controversy. Are real Christmas trees better than fake ones? In western Loudoun there are several Christmas tree farms that experience heavy traffic every year. However, artificial tree sales seem to be on the rise.
Research done by Nielsen Research indicates that real tree purchases outranks fake tree purchases by 8.7 million trees. The average cost of an artificial tree is $78, while the average cost of a real tree is $46. Despite this superficial statistic, an artificial tree could be the most economical option. Real trees only last one holiday season, while artificial trees can be used year after year.
Some local tree farms in Western Loudoun include, Snickersville Gap Tree Farm (Round Hill), and Milltown Creek Tree Farm (Lovettsville). Classic tree farms are all go-to spots for Christmas tree lovers in our community. The adventure of searching for the perfect tree is a nostalgic experience for many, which could be a reason for the continued domination by real tree enthusiasts.
The most common places to purchase an artificial tree are large outlets, like Target or Wal-Mart. Buying an artificial tree is less of an experience, but the cost benefits of using the same tree every year is a big draw for holiday shoppers.
Fifty-five percent of Woodgrove students prefer fake Christmas trees, despite the abundance of homegrown tree farms in the Western Loudoun community. The study done by Nielsen Research shows that 11% of American households will have both types of trees for maximum Christmas cheer.