NORTH CAROLINA -- The North Carolina Christmas tree industry is ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvested, with some 1,600 growers producing an estimated 50 million trees.

Despite that, many homes in the state chose to go with an artificial tree when the holiday season comes around. Being environmentally-friendly is a goal many households are aiming toward when they make their tree decision.

"There are a number of environmental concerns with tree farming, including pesticides and fertilizer use,” said Jessica Braswell, assistant professor at Queens University. “If those things make their way into the water supply they can cause significant environmental dangers."

But according to Braswell, artificial trees aren’t totally good for the environment, either.

“Most artificial trees are made in China, so they have to travel thousands of miles to be used, so that consumes a large amount of fossil fuels to get them here, plus they're made out of fossil fuels to begin with,” she said.

Some say the best way to be environmentally-friendly is to purchase a live tree, which has its trunk wrapped in a bag of soil and can be planted outside after the holidays to be used again later.

"That's a good trend, it's happening, you can definitely repot it,” said Chatham Olive with the Sierra Club. “Or plant it in the ground outside, the tree can grow and help us with greenhouse gasses.”

For those using a real tree, the curb is where it should head after the season is complete. There, the city will pick it up.

"When the city's taking care of it, it goes to be recycled, so that's not a bad thing at all,” said Olive. “It's not landing up in a landfill, it's going to be mulch, so that's a good thing."

Experts say that, if you wish to choose a real tree, make sure it’s a local grower. If using an artificial tree, use it for about 10-15 years.