Battle of the Branches

Dec. 9, 2007 — -- Is that smell of fresh pine really worth a floor full of needles? It's an age old dilemma, but nowadays phony firs are in fashion.

Last year, 9.3 million artificial trees were sold in the United States. That's an increase of two million from just five years ago, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

Some consumers have been buying the artificial alternative because they want to be "green." Despite their good intentions, real trees, particularly when recycled, are typically better for the environment. Many artificial trees contain the toxic chemical PVC and it's worth checking twice what the tree is made of before bringing it home.

Here are some of the pros and cons to consider when you're picking out a tree this season.

For more on the debate on which type of tree is better for the environment, click here.