How Long Do Christmas Trees Last & How to Keep Them Fresh

Christmas is a time for family, friends, gifts, and of course, Christmas trees! Real Christmas trees bring beauty, a festive mood, and an invigorating scent to our homes. Unfortunately, they don’t last forever. So, let’s see how we can help them stay a part of the holiday atmosphere for longer.

How Long Do Christmas Trees Last: 7 Top Factors

A healthy Christmas tree usually lasts around four weeks before it dries off. However, a tree’s longevity depends on when it’s cut, the species, placement, and maintenance. 

So, read on for the details on how to make your Christmas tree last longer. 

Choose the right time to buy a Christmas tree.

If you want to avoid the annoying needle shedding on Christmas Eve, you should cut your tree one to two weeks prior to Christmas. 

So, if you’re purchasing a tree from a farm lot, buy it in mid-December. Most farms cut their trees at the beginning of December anyway.  

Pick a longer-lasting Christmas tree.

Species play a big role in whether you’ll succeed in keeping a Christmas tree fresh throughout the holiday season. So, if you want a tree that’ll last longer, use your Christmas budget to buy a higher-quality tree as well as some natural decorations that’ll match. 

Fir and Cypress species last around five weeks, whereas Spruce and Pine trees lose most of their needles within three weeks.

Make sure the Christmas tree you’re buying is freshly cut. 

If you’re wondering how to keep a Christmas tree alive, you should probably ask yourself what kind of trees have better chances at longevity. The answer is — the freshly cut ones. 

So, a choose-and-cut tree farm is a good option. Alternatively, pay attention to the tree’s cutting date.

Re-cut the base of the trunk to extend the life of your tree.

If you want your tree to be healthy and well-hydrated, you should trim the trunk. Cutting it straight across at least an inch off the bottom will help improve water absorption, hence keeping your Christmas tree alive for longer. 

Store your Christmas tree outdoors.

The cold outdoor temperatures will keep your Christmas tree fresh for longer. So, if you don’t plan to decorate it straight away, store your Christmas tree outdoors. 

Simply take a bucket of water and place the cut tree in it, away from draughts and sunlight. 

Daily watering of the Christmas tree will help it stay fresh.

If left without water, Christmas trees have only six to eight hours to live. So, If you want a fresh tree, remember to check the water level in the tree stands. 

Regular watering is important, but so is having a top-quality tree stand that enables it. When kept indoors, most Christmas trees require a quart of water per inch of their trunk‘s diameter to stay looking fresh for longer, so make sure your stand can actually provide that.  

Place your tree away from heat sources and draughts. 

You can help your Christmas tree retain moisture by placing its branches away from a heat source like a fireplace or other things that increase evaporation, like draughts. 

So, a part of Christmas tree care is making sure the lights you’re using don’t produce much heat. To remedy a dry air situation, use a humidifier.

Conclusion 

Christmas trees last for varying amounts of time, depending on a number of factors. When cut, their longevity can range from two weeks to two months. Regardless of the tree type that you have, with proper care, you can make it last throughout the season.

Sources:

• HGTV
• Homesite
• Forbes
• Love to Know
• Patch
• Today
• Thought co.