It's that time of the year when most Americans finish Thanksgiving leftovers and venture out in search for the best holiday sales. More importantly, they plan their household centerpiece of the season: the Christmas tree.

While some revel in the scent of a real tree and the joy of picking one out at a local farm, others prefer the simplicity of artificial trees they can reuse for Christmases to come.

But consumers are becoming more climate-conscious, and considering which tree has the lowest impact on our rapidly warming planet has become a vital part of the holiday decision. Plus, choosing a planet-friendly tree will likely get you on Santa's good list.

So, which kind of tree has the lowest carbon footprint — a natural tree or a store-bought plastic tree? It's complicated, experts say.

"It's definitely a lot more nuanced and complex than you think," Andy Finton, the landscape conservation director and forest ecologist for the Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, told CNN.

We've made a list — and checked it twice — of the things to know before you choose between real and artificial.

The case for artificial trees

It's easy to imagine that reusing an artificial tree year after year is the more sustainable option. But Finton says that if an artificial tree is used for six years — the average amount of time people tend to keep them — "the carbon cost is definitely greater" than for a natural tree.

"If the artificial trees are used for a longer lifespan, that balance changes," Finton told CNN. "And I've read that it would take 20 years for the carbon balance to be about equivalent."

That's because artificial trees are typically made of polyvinyl chloride plastic, or PVC. Plastic is petroleum-based and created at pollution-belching petrochemical facilities. Studies have also linked PVC plastic to cancer and other public health and environmental risks.

Then there's the transportation aspect. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, most artificial Christmas trees are imported into the US from China, meaning the products are carried by fossil fuel-powered ships across the Pacific Ocean, then moved by heavy freight trucks before it ultimately lands on the distributor's shelves or the consumer's doorstep.

The American Christmas Tree Association, a nonprofit that represents artificial tree manufacturers, commissioned WAP Sustainability Consulting for a study in 2018 that found the environmental impact of an artificial tree is better than a real tree if you use the fake tree for at least five years.

"Artificial trees were looked at [in the study] for factors such as manufacturing and overseas transportation," Jami Warner, executive director of ACTA, told CNN. "Planting, fertilizing and watering were taken into account for real trees, which have an approximate field cultivation period of seven to eight years."

What are the benefits of real trees?

On average, it takes seven years to fully grow a Christmas tree, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. And as it grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. Protecting forests and planting trees can help stave off the worst impacts of the climate crisis by removing the planet-warming gas from the atmosphere.

If trees are cut down or burned, they can release the carbon they've been storing back into the atmosphere. But Doug Hundley, spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association, which advocates for real trees, says the act of cutting down Christmas trees from a farm is balanced out when farmers immediately plant more seedlings to replace them.

"When we harvest the trees or cut them, we plant back very quickly," Hundley said.

If the idea of trekking through a forest to find the perfect tree is intriguing, you can buy a permit from the U.S. Forest Service, which encourages people to cut their own tree rather than buy an artificial one. According to Recreation.gov, cutting down thin trees in dense areas can improve forest health.

But Finton doesn't recommend pulling a Clark Griswold and chopping down a massive tree to haul home — especially if it's in an area you're not permitted for. He recommends getting a tree from a local farm, instead.

"To me, the benefit of going to a Christmas tree farm, which is different than cutting a tree in the forest, is that it concentrates the impact of removing trees into one location," he said. "And it puts the responsibility on the farmers to regenerate those trees."

There's also an economic benefit to going natural, since most of the trees people end up getting are grown at nearby farms. About 15,000 farms grow Christmas trees in the US alone, employing over 100,000 people either full or part-time in the industry, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

"What we're doing by purchasing a natural Christmas tree is supporting local economies, local communities, local farmers and to me, that's a key part of the conservation equation," Finton said. "When a tree grower can reap economic benefits from their land, they're less likely to sell it for development and less likely to convert it to other uses."

Disposal matters

Trees pile up on the curbs after the holidays are over, and the final destination in many locations is landfills, where they contribute to emissions of methane — a powerful greenhouse gas roughly 80 times more potent that carbon dioxide.

"Real Christmas trees ending up in landfills is very much discouraged," Hundley said, adding that there needs to be "separate areas for yard waste where Christmas trees can go."

But some towns and cities repurpose the trees to benefit the climate and the environment. In New York City, trees left on curbs during a certain timeframe are picked up to be recycled or composted. The city sanitation department also hosts an initiative called MulchFest, where residents can bring their trees to be chipped for mulch and used to nourish other trees throughout the city.

"When the tree is finished being used by the homeowner, it's very easy and and common in America to have the tree chipped up into mulch — and that's stored carbon is put back in the ground," Hundley added.

Finton also says former Christmas trees can be reused for habitat restoration; they can help control erosion if placed along stream and river banks, and can even help underwater habitats thrive if they are placed in rivers and lakes.

The end of life for an artificial tree is much different. They end up in landfills — where they could take hundreds of years to decompose — or incinerators, where they release hazardous chemicals.

The bottom line

Weighing the complicated climate pros and cons, real Christmas trees have the edge. But if you choose to deck your halls artificially, get a tree you're going to love and reuse for many years.

Either way, Finton said, people should feel good about their decision and find other ways to tackle the climate crisis.

"It's a debate, but once you've made a decision, you should feel good about your decision, because there's so many other things we can do in our lives that have an even greater climate impact — such as driving less or advocating for policies that expand renewable energy," Finton said. "Enjoy the holidays and focus on other aspects of your life to reduce the impacts of climate change."

Congressman Greg Steube was seriously injured after falling off a ladder while cutting a tree at his home in Sarasota, Florida.

A representative for the congressman wrote a series of tweets on Steube's official account. They state that someone witnessed the Florida representative falling approximately 25 feet and called 911.

Steube spent the night in the intensive care unit, but his condition is reportedly not life-threatening at this time.

"He is making progress and in good spirits," one of the tweets states.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated that he spoke with Steube and his wife Thursday.

"I informed him he will serve on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, and he is eager to get back to work," McCarthy tweeted.

Steube, a Republican, has been in Congress since 2019.

COCONUT GROVE, Fla. — From the arid deserts of Arizona to the lush foliage of Florida, trees can make a big difference in the world around us.

“Trees are crucially important for our urban environments,” said Ariane Middel, an assistant professor at Arizona State University.

Trees also make a big difference in the places people to choose to live.

“One of the reasons we love certain neighborhoods and value them is the urban canopy cover,” said Chris Baraloto, associate director of the Institute of Environment at Florida International University in Miami.

Baraloto and a team of researchers are mapping the urban canopy of trees to see what benefits they have to the areas where they are located.

“One way we look at the trees is how much carbon they store from the atmosphere,” Baraloto said. “Another very important aspect that we're also measuring in a complementary project is the cooling effect of trees.”

Both carbon capture and shade are two major arguments for planting more trees to help offset climate change impacts. Yet, not all trees are created equal.

“I think it's important to consider which services we value, in which locations before we make an assessment of what type of tree is appropriate,” Baraloto said.

Some of the trees increasingly under reconsideration include palm trees.

“It's not about, “Is a palm tree good or bad?’ It's about, ‘Is the palm tree an appropriate tree to provide the ecosystem services that are important in this location?’” Baraloto said.

In a rapidly warming world, cities from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and West Palm Beach are looking into whether palm trees are really the best trees for the cities to continue planting.

“Many appreciate the feathery look, but they don't cover as broad an area generally,” Baraloto said. “And, so, some of the actual carbon in the canopy, the cooling effect of the canopy is a little bit different.”

With hotter summers – and a growing number of days above 90 degrees in the South and Southwest - that cooling effect is becoming even more critical.

“Shade is really the number one design feature that you can use to keep people comfortable outdoors in the summer,” Middel said.

In communities all over, which trees work best to provide shade remains a big question, and it's one that researchers are working to answer.

“We've actually put weather stations underneath different types of trees to look at the cooling impact,” Baraloto said.

It’s an impact that climate change has now pushed to the forefront.

“The importance of trees in an urban context has accelerated,” Baraloto said. “And it's a great platform from which to discuss how trees are important in our lives and to make these decisions in an educated fashion.”

It’s a discussion that can help trees keep reaching for the skies as they help people on the ground.

With Thanksgiving now behind us, the holiday shopping season is officially in full swing.

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals are helping families cash in on discounted gifts.

While the rush of business is greatly needed by smaller businesses that were impacted by last year's COVID-19 shutdowns, many say supply may not be able to keep up.

Greenhaven Ace Hardware in California has been locally owned since 1976.

Nicholas Dellos, the store's manager, said business so far this holiday shopping weekend has doubled its usual amount.

The shop ordered its holiday items back in January 2020. Almost a year later, they're still waiting for some product to arrive.

"Normally we have a lot more variety here," Dellos said while walking past the holiday lights section. "Lots of different types of lights that we just weren't able to get this year."

Supply chain issues and back-ups at California ports are raising prices, too.

"Everything's gone up 30 percent or more," Dellos explained. "It's unreal."

Whether you need lights, tree stands, Santa hats or extension cords, you can find them at most hardware stores.

Dellos' advice to those hoping to deck the halls of their home? Don't wait. Demand is high and there's "not enough supply to keep up."

Gregg Jones agrees.

He owns "Chad's Christmas Trees" at the Greenhaven Plaza Shopping Center in California and has been in business for eight years.

"This year has been a challenge for sure," he said.

With demand up, supply down and shipping prices on the rise due to supply chain delays, Christmas trees have a higher price tag this year.

He said silvertip trees, which many refer to as "Charlie Brown trees," are up about 15%.

"We try to do what we can to make it fair for everybody, but the costs go up," he said. "There's not much we can do."

He said customers should consider buying their tree earlier this season due to low inventory. Larger trees are more in demand, as well.

Watch the full story in the video above.

The world's largest tree has been wrapped in foil to protect it against flames from an out-of-control fire burning in California's scenic Sequoia National Park.The base of the General Sherman Tree has been wrapped in aluminum-based burn-resistant material, according to Sequoia and Kings National Parks.The tree is 275 feet tall, and over 36 feet in diameter at the base, making it taller than the Statue of Liberty from its base to the torch.The KNP Complex Fire, which is made up of The Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire, has charred 9,365 acres, so far. Lightning on Sept. 9 caused the initial fire and prompted Sequoia National Park to close its doors to visitors.Park crews are preparing the Giant Forest, which is home to over 2,000 sequoias, by removing fire fuel and wrapping the trees."Crews continue to apply protection wrapping (foil) to iconic sequoia trees and historic structures," according to Sequoia and Kings National Parks.Even though crews are hard at work trying to protect these sequoias, they have already been hit hard by wildfires in recent years. "Two-thirds of all giant sequoia grove acreage across the Sierra Nevada has burned in wildfires between 2015 and 2020," the National Park Service says.Sequoias that were killed during last year's Castle Fire could have ranged from hundreds to 3,000 years old, the service added.Officials sounded optimistic though, reporting minimal fire growth Thursday despite some activity picked up late in the afternoon as the temperature increased and humidity levels dropped.Giant sequoias aren't known to be the world's oldest trees, but "they are known to reach ages of up to 3,400 years," according to the National Park Service.And even though giant sequoias adapt to periodic fire, the bark usually protects the trees against significant damage and can insulate them against a fire's heat, NPS said. Over time, however, it may be difficult for the trees to heal after centuries of fire scars.

CINCINNATI — Many of the Brood X cicadas across Cincinnati are dead, but before they go, they are giving the Tri-State one last gift.

Cicada carcasses are full of nutrients that are beneficial to plants, especially trees. Their bodies act as a natural fertilizer and will help nourish vegetation across the Tri-State. The plants won't bloom more or look greener, but they will be properly nourished.

"All those nutrients in the millions of cicadas that we saw will go into the soil," said Dr. Gene Kritsky, the dean of behavioral and natural sciences at Mount St. Joseph University. "Especially for those trees where they’ve clustered at the base of a tree and you just see mounds of these things."

However, cicada carcasses don't decompose easily, so they will stick around for a while, and they can smell.

Kritsky has a solution for that, though.

"If you don’t like the looks of them," he said, "one thing you can do is literally rake them away from the tree -- not far away -- and then when you mow, provided you have a mulching mower, that will hasten the decline and the smell right away.”

Kritsky said the cicada life-cycle has already started over.

Female cicadas laid their eggs in tree branches, and soon some leaves will turn brown and fall from trees. Then, cicada nymphs will hatch and fall into the soil, looking like dust falling from a tree.

Some are already starting to see signs of the Brood X cicadas emerging, and if you've seen bags on trees in your neighborhood, it's for a good reason. Carrie Engle at Valley View Farms in Cockeysville, Maryland, said there is value in putting a net over young trees ahead of the cicada swarm of 2021. Engle said cicadas can be devastating to young trees."The female cicadas, after they get together with the males, are going to slit the ends of the branches and lay their eggs in that slit, so, maybe 6 inches to a foot back, and then eventually that will break away from the main branch," she said.Mature trees aren't so much at risk. Their branches are thicker and stronger. Plus, it's difficult to climb that high to cover branches with netting. But the young tree branches are too weak for the netting to hang on and can break. Engle said you'll notice some bowing later this summer. If you're going to get a net to cover your tree, make sure the holes are no larger than three-eighths of an inch because cicadas can get through them."The cicadas are coming. A lot of people are excited about it and some are dreading it. But it's kind of a cool phenomenon when you think about it. It only happens every 17 years," Engle said.If your trees do take a beating, don't worry. Engle said it's a natural pruning that will eventually fix itself.