7 Best Non Toxic Christmas Trees Completely Safe To Use
I went down a rabbit hole trying to find the most non toxic Christmas trees out there and found out that there’s no such thing as a completely nontoxic Christmas tree. Either you get a real one, otherwise, the fake trees are bound to have some sort of chemical. But I’ve dug deep and found the best non toxic Christmas trees with the least toxic materials.
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My Top Pick: Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Tree
I like this one because it has a higher percentage of PE. More specifically, it has 84% PE and 16% PVC. They offgas at a much lower rate compared to PVC.
The brand also has many different tree heights to choose from.
Best Non Toxic Christmas Trees
1. IKEA Non Toxic Christmas Trees
If you want an inexpensive Christmas tree, I recommend checking out Ikea. They have the best non toxic Christmas trees that are PVC-free. It’s made with polyethylene, polypropylene, and steel.
I read on their website that they have strict policies on the chemicals they add to their products. They ban PFAS and only use chemical flame retardants in areas required by law.
If you’re in the United States, there are no requirements on using flame retardants so I believe it’s safe to assume the Ikea Christmas trees don’t have flame retardants.
Ikea typically sells their Christmas trees in-store only.
2. Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Tree
If you’re willing to splurge, the Balsam Hill Stratford Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree is one of the best artificial Christmas trees with a high percentage of PE. It’s made with 84% PE and 16% PVC. The PVC needles are added for fullness.
Not all Balsam Hill Christmas trees have a high percentage of PE. Typically, only the “Most Realistic” options have it.
However, like many other brands, this Christmas tree does contain flame retardants.
3. NusGear Faux Christmas Tree
Another good option is the NusGear Faux Christmas Tree. It’s made with polyethylene (PE) and steel which are better materials than PVC.
It’s a good choice for a nontoxic Christmas tree but it’s only 41.3″ tall so don’t expect it to be too tall.
But this could be a great option for an artificial tree that fits a small space.
4. Treetime Deluxe Artificial Christmas Tree
One option similar to Balsam Hill is the Treetime Artificial Christmas Tree. It’s made with both PE and PVC to add fullness to resemble a real Christmas tree.
There are options for 5ft, 6.5ft, 7.5ft, and 9ft. This tree also comes with a 10-season structural warranty.
5. WelcomeToTheWoodshop Wood Christmas Tree
If you want to completely avoid the chemicals in artificial Christmas trees, try getting a wood Christmas tree instead.
This wooden tree comes disassembled and it’s very easy to put together. The wooden branches twist in all different directions so it gives the tree a nice 3D effect.
You can hang all your favorite Christmas ornaments, just like on a regular Christmas tree.
6. WoodBridalBlossoms Felt Christmas Tree
This felt Christmas tree is a great eco-friendly alternative for kids.
This set comes with a Christmas tree, 10 circle ornaments in various colors, 3 bows, 4 reindeer, 4 snowflakes, 3 candy canes, and sparkle gel pens.
The tree can easily stick to the wall. It’s a fun art project for your young children while celebrating the Christmas spirit.
7. Cardboard Christmas Tree
This is an eco-friendly Christmas tree made with 100% natural birch wood. All the pieces are easy to assemble.
You can also decorate it with any ornaments or Christmas lights you have. And because it’s made of wood, it can easily be reused year after year.
This wooden non-toxic Christmas tree comes in 2 different sizes.
Are Christmas Trees Toxic?
There are two types of Christmas trees – artificial and real. Both can be potentially toxic depending on the chemicals it uses.
Artificial Christmas trees are often made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and other additives that can pose health risks.
Real Christmas trees do not have these chemicals but may be sprayed with pesticides.
Toxic Chemicals In Christmas Trees
Toxic Chemicals In Artificial Christmas Trees
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Most fake Christmas trees are made with PVC which is a type of toxic plastic. It contains chlorine which may cause reproductive problems and affect hormones. PVC may also contain phthalates which is a known carcinogen.
- Flame Retardants: Flame retardants are added to make Christmas trees less likely to burn. However, these chemicals don’t easily break down and can stay in the body for years.
- Lead: Newer artificial trees contain much lower levels of lead or even no lead but make sure to check with the company to see if they’ve done any third-party testing.
Harmful Chemicals In Real Christmas Trees
- Pesticides and Herbicides: Real Christmas Trees often use pesticides or herbicides for pest control. Pesticides may irritate the skin, eyes, and nervous system.
- Mold: Live Christmas trees can grow mold which for some people, can trigger asthma attacks and fatigue. Mold can be prevented by constantly purifying your air with an air purifier.
- Sap or Resin: Sap or resin on real Christmas trees can cause skin irritation. So if you come in contact with it, be sure to wash your hands with clean soap thoroughly.
What To Look For In Non-Toxic Christmas Trees
Non-Toxic Artificial Christmas Trees
Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP): PE and PP are both types of plastic but they’re better than PVC. Many Christmas tree brands are starting to incorporate more PE or PP and reducing the amount of PVC.
Non-Toxic Real Christmas Trees
Organic: For the safest Christmas trees, look for real organic Christmas trees made without synthetic pesticides.
For more non toxic living guides, check out these posts!
