A little TLC will give your tree a longer lifespan
A Christmas tree's lifespan is five to six weeks when properly watered, with freshness depending on how it was cared for before you bought it.
Buying your tree the weekend after Thanksgiving gives you the widest selection and lets you enjoy it throughout the season without it drying out too early.
Water your tree with about six cups daily and trim one inch off the trunk to prevent sap from blocking water absorption and keep it fresh longer.
Hiring a local holiday decorating professional provides helpful tips on keeping your tree fresh and making your garland last throughout the season.
Christmas trees bring holiday magic indoors thanks to the fresh scent of pine needles, festive lights, and plenty of presents too. But how long do Christmas trees last, and is there a way to extend their lifespan?
The key to getting the most out of your live tree is knowing when to purchase it and how to take care of it, so it makes it all the way to the new year. Learn when to buy Christmas trees for the best results, and get care tips that’ll keep it looking beautiful for longer.
After buying real Christmas trees, the clock starts ticking immediately. From balsam fir to Scotch pine, how long do Christmas trees last? A healthy Christmas tree (that’s been properly watered up until the time you bought it) should last for five to six weeks before it begins to wilt and rapidly shed needles.
Depending on where you live, you can also go to a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm so you can select the perfect Christmas tree that looks fresh and full.
The weekend after Thanksgiving is the best time to buy a Christmas tree. This ensures you’ll get to choose from the widest variety of trees, including the fullest and most beautiful—or a Charlie Brown-esque tree if that’s more your style.
It will also give you plenty of time to put lights on your Christmas tree and enjoy it throughout the holiday season. However, if you buy a tree before Black Friday weekend, you might be able to get a discount. Prices may get higher after Thanksgiving since more people will be shopping for trees.
If you’re looking for the lowest price, wait until the week of Christmas to buy your tree—you should be able to find heavy discounts—but you may not have the greatest or healthiest selection depending on what’s left.
Now that you know how long Christmas trees last, it’s time to make your selection. But unless you go to a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm, you’ll be buying your tree off a lot.
Since that tree was cut and shipped to the retail location, you don’t know how much time it spent in the back of a truck or how long it’s been sitting on the lot.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to ensure you purchase a fresh tree:
Examine the needles: Bend one of the tree’s needles in half. A healthy fir tree’s needles should snap, while a fresh pine tree will bend but not break.
Observe the color: As evergreens dry out, they tend to take on a grayish tinge. Fresh trees will have a deep green color (or silvery blue if it’s a blue spruce).
Tap the tree: Gently lift the tree and tap the trunk on the ground. If it sheds more than just a few needles, look for a different tree.
Check the trunk: Feel the bottom of the tree’s trunk with your fingers. If it’s freshly cut, it should have a slightly sticky feel to it.
Purchase a hardier species: How long a Christmas tree lasts varies by species. Consider purchasing a fir or cypress tree, both of which will retain their needles longer than pine and spruce trees.
Caring for your tree properly is the key to keeping it fresh and festive for as long as possible. If you’re hiring a local holiday decorator to help, they’ll be able to give you tips to make your tree last longer and keep fresh garland from drying out.
Follow the steps below to extend your Christmas tree’s life:
Trim the trunk: Make your Christmas tree last longer by cutting 1 inch off the trunk to ensure sap from the original cut doesn’t block the water it needs to stay fresh. It only takes a few hours for a layer of sap to form over the tree trunk, so get it into water as quickly as possible.
Keep the tree away from heat: Position the tree so it’s not near any heat sources, such as radiators, fireplaces, or heating vents, to prevent the tree from drying out and reduce fire risk.
Water liberally: A Christmas tree can drink up to a gallon of water on the first day and a quart or more each day after. Water your Christmas tree with about 6 cups of water each day. Make sure the water line in the tree stand never dips below the bottom of the trunk to prevent sap from crusting over it.
Add a tree preservative: There are several Christmas tree preservatives on the market you can add to the water to help prolong its life. These products include a plant food, an additive that makes the water acidic, and thus easier for the tree to absorb, and a disinfectant that prevents mold growth.
If real Christmas trees don’t last long enough for you or you don’t want to deal with watering and cleaning up needles, an artificial tree might be the way to go. Let’s look at the pros and cons of real Christmas trees versus fake ones.
There are many factors to consider when deciding between a real or artificial Christmas tree. A real Christmas tree has that coveted pine tree scent that we all associate with Christmas.
Live trees are actually better for the environment than fake ones as well, according to The Nature Conservancy. Live Christmas trees are farmed, so cutting them down doesn’t negatively impact the environment, especially since farmers usually plant one to three saplings for each one they cut.
Over the eight to 10 years it takes for those trees to mature, they serve as habitat for birds and other wildlife and help fight climate change. And, when it’s time to dispose of your Christmas tree, many cities and towns will recycle live trees by turning them into mulch.
Artificial trees, on the other hand, are made of plastic and metal, which require a lot of resources to produce. While fake trees can last many years, they will eventually add plastic and metal to a landfill.
While fake trees may never offer the look and smell of a real tree, they’ve come a long way. The best fake trees can look nearly identical to a real tree. Though an artificial tree may cost a little more upfront, it will save you money in the long run since you’re not replacing it every year.
Fake trees also won’t dump needles on your living room floor, nor do they require constant watering. And, since they’re made of fire-resistant materials, they don’t present the fire hazard that live trees do.
Whether you choose a live tree or an artificial one, a local Christmas light installer can help you turn your home into a festive wonderland this season.
Excellent work, punctual, polite. Strongly recommended.
DURAJ PAINTING LLCCustom Paint Jobs LLC made our home feel warm and inviting. Their expertise is evident.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCVisited my home for estimate same day that I called. Painted on Saturday. Great job. Good price!
Window Depot did an amazing job on my deck. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but their composite decking was affordable and will last a long time. I am excited to have family over, and I am no longer embarrassed by my backyard. Jeff and the ground crew were polite, respectful, and caring for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioExcellent experience! Left my place looking great. Friendly customer service too. Would recommend!
Awesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignDanny was extremely pleasant and professional and graciously scheduled an appointment for an estimate on a holiday. Communication leading up to the appointment was very good. his representative was timely and polite. Although we did not end up purchasing painting, I had a very positive...
Danny's Pro Painters LLCThere isn't much I can add that hasn't already been said about Rhino Painting. Outstanding service and communication from the first phone call through the end of the project, we could not be happier with this company. They painted our kitchen, living room, ceiling, starirwell and wood work,...
Rhino Painting & Color Consulting LLCThis company is amazing! My garage door broke this afternoon and was stuck in the open position. I couldn't leave with the door open so I called Sanford and Sons because the company was recommended by the manufacture of my garage door motor. Nancy answered the company phone and problem...
Bob arrived within an hour of my calling and was very professional and helpful. He was willing to take a look right away even though it was late in the afternoon (and in the middle of holidays). Fixed the problem. I will definitely use their service in the future. <br />
My Home Solutions LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
If you're dreaming of rocking around your—professionally decorated—tree this season, this is how much a Christmas tree decorating service will cost you.
How much does a Christmas decorating service cost? Turn your home into a winter wonderland this year—here are holiday decorating service prices.
If you’re wondering how to decorate a Christmas tree or want helpful tips to make the process easier, read on for simple step-by-step directions.
There are a few differences between real Christmas trees and artificial ones. Deciding which one is right for your holiday celebration is easy with this guide.
Finding the best Christmas tree for your home isn’t always easy because there are so many different types from which to choose. Make the right decision for you with this guide.
How can you select the perfect Christmas tree for your home? Learn the latest holiday trends and get tips for picking out a tree you and your family will love.
