How Long Should My Christmas Tree Last?
With proper care and watering, a healthy fresh-cut tree should last from four to five weeks. Longevity can also depend on the variety of tree that you buy. Fir trees can last up to five weeks, whereas pine, spruce or cedar trees tend to lose their needles more quickly.
Keep Your Christmas Tree Looking Fresh
If you’ve decided to buy a fresh-cut Christmas tree, you’ll want to make the most of your choice. Following these guidelines can help you have a beautiful, fragrant tree that’ll last until the new year.
Pick Out a Healthy Christmas Tree
When shopping, test the tree by giving it a slight shake. A few falling brown needles aren’t uncommon, but falling green needles mean the tree is dry. If possible, look for a tree that’s in the shade. Feel the tree. The needles should be flexible but snap when you bend them sharply. Avoid trees with stiff needles that are losing their color. Also, avoid a tree with needles that pull off very easily.
Make Sure the Trunk Is Trimmed
When you’ve selected your perfect tree, make sure that the trunk is trimmed at least 1 inch straight across. This will remove the layer of sap that sealed the cut made when the tree was harvested. This will open the tree’s inner pipeline for water absorption. When you get home, if you’re not going to be putting the tree up right away, immerse the tree in a bucket of fresh water until you’re ready to bring it into the house. Storing your tree in the garage or an outbuilding are two good options.
Before taking the tree into the house, trim another 1/2 to 1 inch straight across the trunk. This will ensure that the tree has a good path for water to travel. Also, take a minute to measure the diameter of the tree trunk. This will be helpful information when you need to determine the amount of water your tree needs.
Place the Tree in the Tree Stand
Make sure that your tree stand is large enough to hold your tree securely and provide a big enough reservoir to ensure your tree has adequate water. You’ll need a quart of water for each inch of the trunk’s diameter. For example, if your tree trunk is 4 inches across, you’ll need 4 quarts, or 1 gallon, of water. Be sure to immerse the bottom 2 inches of the tree trunk in water. A dry tree is unsightly and a fire hazard, so making sure you water properly is very important.
Some tree species, like spruce and cedar, need more water than pine trees and are prone to drying out quickly if you don’t water them properly.
Check Your Tree Placement
To help your tree last and keep it looking fresh, consider where you’ll place it in your room. Avoid sunny windows, heat ducts, bright lights, fireplaces and radiators as they can cause your tree to dry out quickly. Decorating the tree with LED string lights, which stay cool even when in use, will help. If your home uses a very warm heat source like oil, the air can become dry as well. A humidifier can add moisture to your home for comfort and to help your tree.
Dispose of Your Old Tree
After the holiday season is over, you’ll want to take your tree down and dispose of it properly. Many towns and cities have tree collection methods to help both you and the environment. Check resources in your area for more information.