Radin, M.S., the agriculture/horticulture program leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Dutchess County, New York. 'Christmas trees are an agricultural commodity, and choosing a real Christmas tree can support a local farm business,' says Stephanie D. Plus, it's easy to see why so many people are happy with real trees when you consider the other benefits to going for real over fake. Sure, the survey itself might be self-serving for the organization, but the data doesn't lie. A huge majority say it's worth the price (83%) and that the scent brings them joy (94%). And the ones who did last year are satisfied with the decision, with 84% of respondents of first-time real-tree buyers who switched last year saying they wished they'd done so sooner. According to a 2023 survey by the Real Christmas Tree Board, 20% of respondents are buying a real tree for the first time this year. The data is in, and holiday revelers are loving real Christmas trees.
