The Danish Christmas Tree Association has conducted a life cycle analysis in respect of Christmas trees produced in Denmark. The analysis is carried out by an impartial consulting firm.
The life cycle analysis includes the extraction of raw materials, materials, and products which are used for the production of Christmas trees (both nursery and cultivation), transport of raw materials and packaging. In addition, the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs for the cultivation itself are included. Likewise, the most likely end-of-life scenario is included for all materials used as well for the Christmas tree itself.
All phases of the tree's life are included in the model: The nursery phase (seed bed and possibly transplant bed), the cultivation phase (area preparation, planting, weed control, pest control, fertilizer and product improvement), the harvest phase (cutting and palletizing) as well as the transport phase (to the point of sale in Europe and consumer transportation) and finally the disposal phase.
The results show that a Danish Nordmann fir Christmas tree in total has absorbed/removed what corresponds to 0.6 kg of CO2 when it arrives at the point of sale in Europe. Including all inputs for the cultivation and transportation to the sales points in Europe, the Christmas tree is an overall climate win.
If consumers pick up a Christmas tree (Danish or locally grown) at the sales points and transport the tree over a distance of 2 * 10 km in a smaller, new petrol car, the total climate impact is equivalent to 2.6 kg CO2. Even this constitutes a very low climate impact. If no car is used (e.g. in cities) or if an electric or hybrid car is used, there will be no impact on the climate for picking up a tree within a short distance from the residence of the consumer.
Download note about the LCA study (English)
Download tranlated article from Nåledrys about the LCA study (English)
Download article in NCTA journal spring/summer 2023 (English)