(MS) - Christmas trees have been a part of holiday tradition in this country since the 18th century, when German settlers brought with them a number of things which we now associate with Christmas - including regal trees they adorned.

Each year families seek their perfect holiday centerpiece and consider the pros and cons of real and artificial trees. In a head-to-head matchup, what type of tree would win out? While it's really a matter of preference, here are how real and faux trees stack up against one another.

Portability

Real: While that handy mesh sleeve they put trees in at the Christmas tree lot or farm does make it easier to lift and move the tree, there's still the challenge of attaching it to the roof of the car (and not having it blow off on the highway) and getting it into the house through narrow doorways. Typically, this involves large trails of pine needles from the car to house, which homeowners often still find in July despite several months of vacuuming. Real trees can be heavy and positioning - and repositioning -?them in the perfect spot can work up a sweat.

Faux: Packaged inside of a box, these trees are often lightweight and easy to maneuver into the house. Once inside, there's a small task of assembling the pieces into the final tree. Some models come fully assembled, so it's just a matter of setting the stand in the desired corner or window.

Aesthetic Appeal

Real: Unless you buy the last straggler of a tree on Christmas Eve and it resembles matchsticks more than a living entity, real trees can be a wonder to behold. With hues and needle shapes of all types, tree-seekers can spend hours discovering their ideal tree. And there's no beating the pungent aroma of pine wafting through the home.

Faux: There have been many advancements in artificial tree manufacturing, and some are quite lifelike. However, one touch of the branches will indicate the tree did not grow outdoors, and often a closer look reveals the steel frame hiding within the center of the tree. Plus, unless the tree is enhanced with an artificial scent, there will be no pine smell associated with the holidays.

Financial Factor

Real: Prices for real trees vary among lots and tree farms. Some can be as inexpensive as $15 and others tipping the scales at $50 or more for a full, desirable tree. That can be a steep price to pay for something that only adorns the house for a few weeks out of the year. There are options to purchase real trees with the root ball intact, so that the tree can be planted later in the yard.

Faux: While artificial trees may cost more than real trees up front, they can be reused year after year, making it a more cost-effective investment. Also, with fake trees, there is often no need to purchase the accessories that go with real trees, such as elaborate tree stands and watering accessories.

Environmental Effect

Real: On the surface, it may seem that harvesting real trees is damaging to the environment and wasteful. However, as tree farmers assert, Christmas trees are planted for the express purpose of the holiday season, and large numbers of new trees are planted each year to replenish the stock in an environmentally friendly way. Also, at the end of the season, many trees are recycled to be used as sand and soil erosion barriers and have been placed in ponds for fish shelter. In the United States, California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree-producing states.

Faux: Artificial trees are made from a variety of materials, including PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and metals, which can put toxins into the air during production. PVC can also be a potential source of hazardous lead. That is why there are lead warning labels on some artificial trees. Artificial trees can sometimes be toxic if consumed by children or pets. Typically, artificial trees cannot be recycled, so there is no environmentally friendly way of disposing of them when they're no longer usable. The majority of artificial trees are imported from China.

Decorating Ease

Real: With thick branches and lush foliage, real trees are very good at handling a wide variety of ornaments and lights. These branches may also conceal hanging apparatus such as light cords and ornament hooks quite well.

Faux: Some trees come already strung with lights for maximum convenience, while others have fiber optic features, where there are no cords at all. Ornaments hang well from metal branches, but unless a person properly fluffs and positions branches, some hooks and cords may be apparent.

Content courtesy of Metro Services