How Long Does a Christmas Tree Last? 10 Tips for Longer Thriving Trees

Potted, artificial, or cut Christmas trees feature in many households over the Christmas period. A tree is the focal point for decorations and where youngsters feel the magic, but how long does a Christmas tree last? If a tree is decorated on December 1^st, will it make Christmas Day without shedding all its needles? Let’s find out and uncover 10 tips for longer-thriving trees, too.

How Long Does A Christmas Tree Last?

A Christmas tree lasts around four to five weeks if it’s properly cared for. This is good news for Christmas fans who like to decorate as soon as the calendar flips. However, it will only last that long if it’s looked after.

Here are 10 top tips to keep a Christmas tree thriving until the New Year.

1.  Buy The Longest-Lasting Species

There are so many different Christmas tree varieties to choose from, it’s a bit confusing. You may already have a favorite Christmas tree species, if so, skip to number 2.

If not, experts say a Fraser fir stays fresh the longest, but other long-lasting Christmas tree species include Douglas fir, Nordmann fir and Scotch pine. With good care, a Fraser fir can last five weeks, the others, around four weeks.

2. Buy The Freshest Tree

There’s no point buying a tree cut several weeks previously, because it’ll die quickly. It’s an expense, but choosing a healthy tree from a farm or reputable garden center is best. Fresh trees have more life left in them than trees trucked out across the state.

Here’s how to tell if the tree you’ve picked out is freshly cut.

• Raise it a few inches and drop. If needles fall off, it’s too far gone already.
• Look carefully for brown needles. Brown means the needles have dried out. Green is the only option!
• Gently run your hands down a branch. If needles drop, that’s not fresh enough.
• Choose one from a shady, cool place. Christmas trees in the sun or near a heat source are always partially dried out.

3.     Ask for a Base Re-cut

Got a freshly cut tree with the perfect shape? Excellent, now ask the farmer or garden center staff to recut the base.

As soon as a tree trunk is cut, it bleeds sap and resin to heal over its wound. Re-cutting the base creates a fresh wound that’ll absorb water more effectively.

If the seller refuses, rethink whether this is a good purchase. Good Christmas tree sellers know their trees last longer with a recut.

4.     Place it in Water ASAP

A freshly cut Christmas tree needs water ASAP. As soon as you arrive home, place it in a bucket of water for a reviving drink. Make sure it’s a cool, dark spot like an unheated garage to avoid dried-out foliage.

5.     Choose A Cool Location

Ready to place the tree indoors and get decorating?

Stop! Think about the best spot for your tree. It might not be the spot you prefer.

Choosing the right location makes the difference between a tree that drops its needles within a week and a tree that lasts four weeks.

A cool room is best because it slows down the drying-out process. At all costs, avoid setting your tree up near a radiator. Central heating zaps tree moisture very quickly. You’ll end up with a tree that rapidly sheds its needles on one side. Not a good holiday look.

It’s not all about appearance, though. Dried-out Christmas trees are a fire hazard. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics say 160 house fires occurred between 2015 and 2019 due to Christmas trees. Moist trees do not burn as well as dry trees, so lock in that moisture for safety’s sake.

6. Water Daily

It’s surprising just how much water a cut tree sucks up! In the first week or so, your tree will absorb the most water, at least a gallon a day. As it slowly dies, it takes up less.

Water is essential, so purchase a tree stand that holds a gallon of water and fill it every day. If it’s left to dry out, not only do the branches and needles dry out, but a resin scab grows over the cut. This prevents future water absorption. Missing just a few days can seriously reduce your Christmas tree’s lifespan.

7.     A Humidifier Prolongs Christmas Tree Freshness

Adding moisture to the room will keep a Christmas tree damp and ensure it lasts longer. Humidifiers make a huge difference in centrally heated homes because the tree absorbs water through its branches and needles as well as the base.

A humidifier may help with all those festive coughs and colds going around, too.

8.     Should I Add Lemonade To My Christmas Tree Water?

Many folks believe adding supplements to the Christmas tree water keeps it fresher for longer, but there’s no evidence to support it. Christmas tree growers say fresh, clean water every day is all that’s required.

9.     Avoid Pet Damage

Dogs and cats enjoy playing with indoor Christmas trees, and stopping them is easier said than done! That said, if Rover or Tiddles spray urine on your Christmas tree, brown needles appear.

Damage from an inquisitive cat may also force needle drop. If the tree tips over, and its branches snap or bend, they can’t soak up water and that leads to unattractive needle drop.  

10.     Potted Christmas Tree Care

Potted Christmas trees need care too!

Even though their trunk is intact, following the advice above about humidity, a cool room, and regular watering will help keep a potted Christmas tree fresh.

Avoid radiator proximity, and make sure it receives plenty of light, too. Moving from a light, outside location to a darker indoor spot shocks plants. This leads to needle drop and brown patches, which are not festive at all.

And when it comes to watering, add a few cups when the soil dries out on top. A potted Christmas tree won’t require daily water. A daily drink will end up rotting its roots, so check its soil dampness before splashing on the H20.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © ehrlif/ via Getty Images