Fake Trees: Greener Than Real Trees? June 4, 2015 Email There’s no clear winner in the debate about whether real or fake trees are the more environmentally friendly choice. Some people say it’s fake trees because using them saves cutting down one tree for every year you use them. But others say real trees are best because they can be turned back into mulch, instead of filling up landfills with plastic. The only clear green choice is to skip fake or real trees and get a living, potted tree instead.