Christmas debate: real or fake tree?

BROWN COUNTY - With no Packers game and a light snow falling, it was a great day to get a Christmas tree at Wojcik's tree farm in Pulaski.

“I like the fat trees,” said Shelly Swain of Green Bay. “I have a lot of ornaments so we need a lot of room to hang them.”

If you are deciding between a real or artificial tree, Dick Wojcik says there is no comparison to the real thing.

“Recyclable, removes CO2 from the air and they smell nice,” said Wojcik, the co-owner of the Wojcik tree farm. “Artificial trees will not do that.”

Some people say the advantage of a getting a real Christmas tree is the ability to come out and pick the perfect one.

“Its fun for the kids and it just kind of a tradition we like to do,” said Swain.

April White of Suamico used to cut down her tree every year, but this year decided to go artificial.

“My children are getting older now, so we don't always have the time to go out and pick the tree,” said White.

Taylor Creek's Mike Kapp argues there's a lot less hassle with a fake tree, plus it's safer.

“A lot less fire hazard with an artificial tree than there is with a real tree, and for the most part a lot less work,” said Kapp.

When it comes to price it depends on the type and size of the tree. At Wojcik's tree farm we found trees between $29 and $45. That's compared to Taylor Creek's artificial trees starting at about $199.

Of course the main difference is the one-year use of the real tree versus the average six to ten year lifetime of an artificial one.

With both having pros and cons, it's clear an argument can be made for either.

“It smells like Christmas,” said Swain.

“There's a lot less cleanup,” said Kapp.

No matter which tree you pick, it seems it can only get easier once you have the perfect tree.

“Excited to get home and start decorating,” said White.

Wojcik's tree farm says next weekend, which is the first weekend of December, is traditionally the busiest time for Christmas tree shoppers.