‘Tis the season to start looking for the perfect Christmas tree to light up your home for the holidays.

Today, most people consider live trees to be a greener option than artificial trees, which are often manufactured with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived plastic. But before you and the family venture out to the nearest Christmas tree farm to chop down a live tree, consider these more sustainable options.

1. Rent a Live Tree

Many nurseries now offer the option to rent live trees, and some even come fully decorated. The renter simply waters the tree throughout the season, then takes it back to the nursery to be cared for until the next year.

2. Get a Plantable Tree

No Christmas tree-renting nurseries near you? Why not get a tree you can plant? After the holidays, weather permitting, you can plant it outdoors, further lowering your carbon footprint.

3. Decorate an Outside Tree

Decorate your yard and your tree at the same time by decorating a living tree outside. It doesn’t have to be an evergreen tree. It can even be a bush or shrub. Another perk — you get to appreciate the live plant year-round, not just during the holidays.

4. Make Your Own Tree

Make your own “tree” from gathered natural objects. Ask your friends for pruned branches from their Christmas tree, gather fallen branches, driftwood, pine cones, holly branches, and the like. Decorations could include bulbs, home-made ornaments, popcorn and cranberry garland, leftover ribbon, sparkle lights, and more (or less!) to make your own natural Christmas tree/bouquet. Or, if you’re feeling really ambitious, check out these DIY Christmas tree ideas from BoredPanda.

5. Keep a Potted Evergreen Year-Round

Purchase a small evergreen in a decorative pot to keep indoors as a houseplant year-round. Norfolk Island pines, dwarf Alberta spruces, or small junipers work well. Decorate it each December, then enjoy it as living décor the rest of the year. Gardening Know How offers a comprehensive care guide for keeping a Norfolk Island pine healthy year-round, and The Stem provides specific tips for using it as a pot-grown Christmas tree.

6. Use a Living Rosemary Topiary

A rosemary plant trained into a cone or tree shape can be a fragrant, edible Christmas tree. After the holidays, continue growing it for cooking herbs. These typically thrive indoors with proper light and care. MasterClass provides a step-by-step topiary guide for shaping your own rosemary tree. At the same time, Classic Casual Home shows how to make mini rosemary Christmas trees perfect for centerpieces.

7. Create a Reusable Branch Tree

Collect or purchase a large, attractive branch or piece of driftwood to mount on a wall or stand in a planter. This permanent “tree” can be decorated annually and stored between seasons, lasting decades. Sustain My Craft Habit demonstrates how to build a rustic driftwood tree using collected branches, and Most Lovely Things shows how to create a tabletop version using hot glue and various driftwood pieces.

8. Build a Ladder or Shelf Tree

Repurpose a wooden ladder or create triangular shelving where you display ornaments and greenery. This reusable structure can be decorated differently each year and serves multiple purposes. Instructables offers a detailed 16-step tutorial for building custom shelves to fit your ladder. Smor Home provides a complete DIY guide with tips for decorating your finished ladder tree.

Don’t Forget to Recycle

If you’re still inclined to get a cut tree, there are several recycling options available. Leftover natural trees can be used for mulch, erosion, habitat creation, and more. Check out our Earth911 Recycling Search to find a recycling option near you.

Feature image: jill111, Pixabay

Editor’s note: Originally published on December 2, 2013, this article was updated with new ideas in November 2025.