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In one corner stands "Artificial" tree, which has been languishing in the attic until now. But in an hour, with a little assembly, Artificial can be up and running.

In the other corner stands "Real" tree, who must be scouted for each year, often in harsh weather, and requires more maintenance, but who, fans say, can yield a bit more in terms of family enjoyment and tradition.

Who will you be rooting for this year?

A brief poll was done, and results show that Christmas tree fans are pretty much split down the middle.

Lynn Gabler, computer instructor at Cros-Lex Middle School, said she has backed both candidates through the years.

"We had a fake tree for ten years after our children left home," notes Gabler. "But this year, we decided it would be fun to take the grandkids out and cut a real one and perhaps start a tradition."

Real tree scores a point for tradition!

Carol Mitchell, a secretary at Chase Bank in Sandusky, said she prefers artificial.

"Less time to put up, less time to take down," she said.

Ouch! Artificial scores a hit. Convenience is in its corner.

Missy Bennett, an employee of Mr. Ed's Variety Store in Brown City, said that she, too, must settle for an artificial tree. Real ones aren't allowed in her apartment building.

Oof! Real tree takes a hit.

Ah, but Lisa Steinkopf, owner of Steinkopf's Nurseries and Farms in Marlette, said she and her family of five children have been making the annual trek to a tree farm to cut their own tree for the past 16 years.

"It's so much more fun to take the truck out after it snows and get a real one," she said. "There's nothing charming about going to a store to pick up a tree. Where's the adventure in that?"

Pow! Real tree fights back. It not only has tradition, but family adventure in its corner.

More than any other factor, local Christmas tree farms bank on that to keep families coming back year after year.

Although they are a relatively small operation, Jim and Pam Watts, owners of Forester Tree Farm, 2479 N. Ridge Rd., Carsonville, still provide families with the whole experience. They can trek to the fields on foot, or roll in a wagon, with free cider or coffee waiting when they return.

Jim Watts makes up fresh evergreen wreaths daily or by order.

And there's "Princess," their pet bobcat, whom children love to visit with, too.

While their 12 acres of fragrant spruce, pine, fur and balsam can't compete with the larger tree farms Watts says they still have a loyal following.

They even take free photos of every family with their annual find, which they can come back and collect the following year.

"That way they can watch their children grow up," Pam said. "A lot of people like that."

At Rocky Top Christmas Tree Farm in Peck, the only "frills" are fresh air and exercise, said owner Denise Hilliker. She and husband Jim have been selling trees on their 20 acres at 5700 Mill St., Peck, for about 11 years.

The two big farms in Sanilac County are Krause Tree Farm, 2950 E. Applegate Rd., and Western's Tree Farm, 3375 French Line Rd., both in Applegate.

Both farms offer families additional memories to savor, over and above the basic experience of scouting, choosing, cutting, dragging and bagging.

Both have freshly cut wreaths, garlands and grave blankets and holiday gift shops.

Krause offers hot chocolate, cider, donuts, kielbasa, chilidogs and other refreshments.

There is a toy train display and an automated elf display, too.

Western's, owned by Arthur and Charlotte Western and son Scott, has food, a petting zoo, free hay rides every weekend and Santa the first two weekends in December.

While the season is just getting underway, Barb Krause, owner of Krause's Tree farm, is concerned that the demand for live trees may decline slightly because of the expense and cost of gas.

Ouch.

But the supply is plentiful and the selection ample.

"I think we've had enough rain so the trees will hold their needles pretty good. And people seem to be having a really good time when they come out. They're very happy people," she said.

Charlotte Western remains optimistic.

"I think no matter how people feel about the economy, they will still want a nice tree," she said. "They may cut back on gifts, but they want their Christmas tree up."

Real trees have one more knockout punch: For environmentally conscious consumers, they are "green" in more than one sense of that word.

Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins, such as lead, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource that can be chopped up into mulch for gardens in the spring, notes Marlette tree nursery owner Lisa Steinkopf.

Steinkopf and her husband David don't sell cut trees Ð but do sell the balled-and-burlapped variety that can be planted once its stay in the living room is over.

She said they don't get many requests, because living trees only last about a week indoors Ð although they can be decorated and placed on the front porch earlier, she said.

If dedicated environmentalists want to go that route, they also must plan ahead, digging the proper sized hole for their living Christmas tree before the ground freezes and placing the dirt to cover it somewhere it won't become frozen.

A good compromise for an environmentally friendly holiday might be to go ahead and cut your renewable live tree for the house, but let the kids string berries and coat pine cones with peanut butter and seeds to hang on a living outdoor tree for bird and squirrels.

A downside to live trees: Some people are highly allergic, Steinkopf said.

"For some it's just the scent. Others can't even touch them," she said.

Live or artificial, Christmas tree enthusiasts agree it's all about tradition and family fun Ð with a bright and spicy "tannenbaum" surrounded by presents at the center of it all.