DFO: Trimming An Artificial Tree

I can’t say for sure why we no longer erect and trim a real Christmas tree during the holidays. Mebbe it’s no longer fun to search for a tree in a lot or at a tree farm without the kids home any more. Or mebbe the hassle of putting one up only to have it dry out in a week (with a wood stove nearby) is too much. Or mebbe it simply doesn’t matter as much as it once did. We now erect an artificial tree of about 6 feet that doesn’t look like much until the ornaments & tinsel are in place. How about you?

Question: Why do you select the type of tree that you do — real or artificial? (Bonus question for the “real tree set”: How long does it usually take for your tree to dry out?)