The era of REAL CHRISTMAS TREES in people's living rooms looks like it's quickly . . . and surprisingly . . . coming to an end.

According to a new survey, only ONE in FIVE families say they're going to have a real Christmas tree this year. 13% will buy a tree from a garden store or Christmas tree lot, and 5% will dig up their own tree for the house.

49% of households will put up an artificial tree that's green like the real thing.  19% will buy an artificial tree that's a different color, like white or red. 14% say they aren't going to have a tree this year.

The main reason people gave for going with an artificial tree or no tree over a real one is the cost difference. The second-most common reason was that people felt buying a real tree just to throw it away a month later isn't very "green." (Daily Mail)