Artificial Christmas trees may be convenient and mess-free, but there's nothing more fun than shopping for the real thing during the holidays (plus, that fresh scent!). Despite the excitement that comes with decorating your evergreen, whether it's Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine or Balsam Fir, it's essential to know how to care for your tree and the steps needed to keep it alive and fresh all season long. We spoke with experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute and beyond to answer the big question — How long do Christmas trees last?
"Whether they are cut or arrive in a festive planter, evergreen trees are a great way to bring natural beauty into your space and brighten up any room during the winter season," says Alfred Palomares, vice president of merchandising and resident plant dad at 1-800-Flowers.com. However, care requirements differ for both. For example, cut trees require trimming, and it's important to pick the right stand to keep it upright, while potted trees have no need for those requirements and may benefit from being near a window.
The tips below will make it easy to keep a natural tree at peak condition. We even share some of the most popular species, along with a few Christmas tree safety tips to keep in mind.
How long do real Christmas trees last?
With proper care, most real Christmas trees should last five weeks or more.
That means, if you decorate for Christmas in late November, your tree should easily survive beyond the holiday festivities. However, we suggest buying your Christmas tree during the first week of December to ensure you aren't left with a dried-up, brittle tree come December 25.
Popular Species
According to Palomares, Scotch Pines, Blue Spruces and White Spruces are among the most popular types of Christmas trees for the season. When it comes to their shape, size and longevity, Fraser and Balsam Firs are also favorite picks. And if you have smaller children or pets, tabletop Christmas trees are great options if you want to keep holiday decor out of reach.
What to Consider When Buying a Christmas Tree
When shopping for your Christmas tree in-person or online, Palomares shares questions to keep in mind:
- When are you planning to purchase your tree? "In order to keep your tree looking fresh and vibrant throughout the holiday season, I recommend purchasing your evergreen about four weeks before December 25," he says. "If you have time to properly care for it, you can purchase your tree as early as six weeks prior to the holiday."
- How big is your living space? "If you live in a small home or apartment, and don’t have enough space for a large tree, tabletop Christmas trees such as the Farmstand Norfolk Pine or Fragrant Holiday Lavender Tree are great options," Palomares says. "They also come pre-lit and decorated, which helps to save on time."
- Do you have time to care for your Christmas tree? "Cut Christmas trees are generally easy to care for, but remember, low maintenance does not mean no maintenance," he notes. "Cut trees still need to be tended to in order to keep their needles hydrated throughout the season."
- Do you have any pets or small children at home? Palomares notes: "Aside from keeping fragile ornaments and lights out of reach of pets and small children, you also want to consider what species are safe for them."
How to Keep a Christmas Tree Fresh
Follow our tips to keep your Christmas tree looking fresh long after it's cut.
1. Start with a healthy Christmas tree from a local farm.
If you buy your tree from a garden store or roadside lot, it's likely that it came from out-of-state and has been exposed to drying winds in transit — meaning, it's going to have a much shorter shelf life than one you've chopped down yourself at a local tree farm. Either way, it's essential to know how to choose the freshest possible Christmas tree.
Keep these tips in mind as you hunt for a Christmas tree:
- Look for a healthy, green tree with the least amount of brown needles.
- Select a tree displayed in a shady location. Avoid picking from a sunny area.
- Run a few branches through your hands. The needles should feel pliable and not fall off.
- Raise the tree a few inches, then drop the trunk into the ground. Very few green needles should fall off (but it's fine if the tree loses a few brown ones).
2. Trim the trunk (and then trim it again).
When you purchase a Christmas tree, double-check that the seller makes a fresh cut straight across the base of the trunk to aid water absorption. This gets rid of any dried-over resin that might block the tree from absorbing water.
When you get home, if you're not putting your tree up right away, place it in a bucket of water. (Note that you should always store real trees in an unheated garage or area that's protected from wind and freezing temperatures.)
When you're ready to bring it inside, make another one-inch cut off the bottom of the trunk to help with water absorption.
3. Check the water level of your Christmas tree daily.
Once inside, place your tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. Then don't forget to regularly water your Christmas tree — too little can cause resin to form, which means the tree won't absorb water and it will dry out quickly.
Much more is at risk than just aesthetics — a dry Christmas tree can pose a real danger to your home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that between 2015 and 2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires started by Christmas trees each year. It can take less than 30 seconds for a dry tree to burn down most of your living room — but that's not the case with a watered Christmas tree.
So how much water does your tree need? "Your stand should have a water reservoir that can hold one quart of water for every inch of the trunk's diameter," advises Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping Institute's chief technologist & executive technical director. Just remember to check the water level daily and refill as needed — it should always cover the bottom two inches of the trunk.
Even though you've heard people talk about adding things like bleach, corn syrup, aspirin and sugar to the water, we believe tree preservatives and additives are probably unnecessary. Most experts agree that plenty of clean water is all you need to keep a tree fresh.
EXPERT TIP: If you lower the temperature in the room, it can also help slow down the drying process (and therefore result in your tree requiring a bit less water), according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
5. Take your tree down before it dries out.
If your home is prone to dryness, try using a top-rated humidifier to add moisture to the room. The Good Housekeeping Institute Tech Lab recommends the Levoit Ultrasonic Humidifier for large areas (like the living room!). It performed well in our tests and can add enough moisture to the air to keep your tree fresh longer.
If you wait too long to take down your Christmas tree, you'll just end up with more dead pine needles to deal with. The easiest way to clean up fallen needles is by using your vacuum's hose — skip the fancy attachments and just use the end of the hose to draw needles directly into the bag or canister.
When you're officially done with your tree, you have a couple options: You can start a new compost pile with it, recycle it or turn it into mulch yourself. You can also ask your town about disposal options, if you're looking for a more eco-friendly solution.
Potted Christmas Tree Care
"Like with all potted plants, every species has its own care requirements, but generally potted Christmas trees like the sun," Palomares says. "Place your holiday tree in a space that receives good lighting." He also recommends doing your own research to understand your plant’s watering needs to ensure it thrives indoors.
"Christmas trees that are potted are not meant to live inside for long periods of time," he notes. "They prefer a cool environment as well as sunlight, so be sure to find a place for them outdoors once the holiday season is over."
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Sure, there's nothing more lovely than a beautifully decorated Christmas tree beside a roaring fireplace — but, along with frayed Christmas lights, candles, radiators, air ducts and stoves, a regularly used fireplace could contribute to your tree drying out at a much quicker pace. Plus, the NFPA reports that nearly 1/5 of Christmas tree fires are caused by a tree being too close to a heat source.
