It's Christmas tree buying season and according to new survey data, more Americans are opting for real trees over artificial varieties.
The latest Nielson/Harris survey shows that in 2018 over 32 million real Christmas trees were bought compared to 23 million artificial trees.
Local lots like Papa Noel's Christmas trees were packed over the weekend with Central Texans who said they don't mind the extra work that comes along with bringing home a real tree.
Scott Deshazo said that he has been buying real Christmas trees ever since he and his wife had their first child.
"Since we've had these kids and started a family Christmas, we've had real Christmas trees. We've never had an artificial tree," Deshazo said.
Despite the extra work it takes caring for a real tree, he said it has been worth it to his family.
"We kind of got it down to a science now where we can get it in and it fits perfect and then we spend the day decorating it as a family," Deshazo said.
The National Christmas Tree Association recommends treating a Christmas tree like any other plant you would bring home from the store by always making sure it has plenty of water.
The NCTA also recommends not drilling a hole in the trunk of the tree because it does not assist water intake and also recommends keeping the tree several feet away from any major sources of heat.
Tips that Deshazo said he keeps in mind when picking out a tree to "decorate as a family while listening to Christmas music."
