Real for a long time but switched to fake about 6 years ago. Went back to real this year.Picked one out,had it cut down 3 weeks ago. Started losing its needles pretty quick but figured it would survive til Christmas but it only made it to Festivus . Wife saw a local place today giving out free trees and went and got one and redecorated! Personally, I'd be happy with an aluminum pole or a Charlie Brown tree.