For many of us, having a real Christmas tree is an absolute must, son knowing how to keep a Christmas tree alive over the festive season is essential. Whether it’s a family tradition that evokes nostalgia or you just love the smell of fresh pine needles, you'll want to keep your Christmas tree fresh for as long as possible. After all, who wants to celebrate Christmas with brittle branches and dried up needles?
Whether you rent your Christmas tree or have a local supplier you visit, to help you get the most out of your Christmas tree for the whole festive season we asked gardening expert, Samantha Jones from MyJobQuote for her top tips on how to keep your Christmas tree alive for longer.
How long do Christmas trees last?
A cut Christmas tree typically lasts for around 4 weeks, but can look healthy and green more into 6 weeks with the proper care. With potted Christmas trees it's advised not to keep living trees in the house for longer than 12 days, so bring it in as late as possible to get the most of it for the big day.
Know when to purchase your Christmas tree
The earlier you get a real Christmas tree, the more effort is required to keep it looking fresh in time for the 25th of December. Of course, the time you should buy your tree depends on the type of Christmas tree you are going for, but generally, you should aim to buy your Christmas tree a week into December, so it doesn’t dry out throughout the festive season. For low drop trees like Nordman firs, you can purchase them up to 4 weeks before Christmas, but for European spruce trees, get them mid-December as they tend to dry up faster.
Wrap the tree for the trip home
Just like an artificial Christmas tree, a real one needs wrapping up and taking care of to increase its longevity. After spending money on a real Christmas tree, it would be a shame if it got damaged on the journey home. Most Christmas trees are transported home via the top of a vehicle, but unfortunately, this can leave your Christmas tree exposed to harsh winds when driving, which can dry the tree out. Trees often come wrapped in netting, which allows for some protection and easier transportation. However, if you can, wrap the tree in an old blanket before securing it onto a roof rack this will offer the best protection.
Trim the Christmas tree trunk
The first step to ensuring your Christmas tree stays alive for as long as possible is to trim the tree trunk. Like when you cut flowers, you want the freshest wood at the bottom of the tree so it can absorb more water and preserve the freshness of the tree. Cut ½ an inch off from the bottom of the trunk with a saw, ensuring you are cutting straight. A worthy investment is purchasing a Christmas tree stand with a built-in water reservoir to keep your tree standing straight, as well as holding enough water to keep it fresh.
Think about where you place your Christmas tree
Choosing a good location in your house can ensure your Christmas tree lasts longer. Christmas trees do not like heat, so it is recommended to keep them in the coolest room such as a conservatory. Make sure your Christmas tree is not placed by any direct heat sources- whether that be a radiator, fireplace or sunlight that can make the tree fade faster. Alongside temperature, consider other factors such as children and pounce prone pets, who might accidentally damage the tree by pulling on it.
If you're looking to cat-proof your Christmas tree, use shatterproof decorations and put the tree up in a location that they will find hard to access. Make sure to secure your baubles tightly on the tree and wrap the lights tightly around the branches, to prevent your feline friend from getting tangled up in them.
Water, water, water – especially for the freshest smells!
The scent of a real Christmas tree is often the sole reason people purchase them over a fake tree. For the freshest smells that linger throughout your home, check the stand daily for water levels. A well-watered tree will allow it to ‘breathe’ and circulate the beautiful smells around your home better. Despite popular belief, the temperature of the water or drilling holes at the bottom of your tree don’t help with water retention so you can skip these steps!
Keep your Christmas tree outside
Your Christmas tree will be the most familiar with outdoor conditions and minimising the time your Christmas tree spends indoors can prolong its life. If you have the space, perhaps keep your decorated tree outside and add some festive pazazz to the exterior of your home early December. Then, bring it inside 1-2 weeks before Christmas so you can enjoy the healthiest looking tree for Christmas day.
Don't let it dry out
Trees thrive with moisture, so if your room is quite dry (perhaps due to heating), you can invest in a home humidifier to add some moisture to the air. If your tree has already started to dry out beyond repair, take it down as soon as you can, otherwise the needles may drop onto the floor and you will have to sweep them all up.
Look out for dropped needles
A floor covered in dropped needles is never a good sign, as they signal the trees decay. Other signs to look out for include dried brittle branches or a lack of smell (unless it is a Nordmann fir which doesn’t have a distinctive scent!). If you notice any of these, check the water levels of your reservoir immediately. If everything seems fine, try adding a few ice cubes to keep the water in your reservoir chill. You can also experiment with adding tree-preserving solutions, homemade or otherwise, but clean and fresh water is best.
Choose your baubles wisely
Certain Christmas baubles may be too heavy and could weight the branches of your Christmas tree down. Also, some materials could cut into or rub against the tree, leading to drooping pines and fallen needles all over the floor. Aim for lightweight baubles or ones tied with ribbon or string.
Consider an alternative
If your worried that your tree will end up looking worse for wear over the festive period, consider having a back up plan! Whether you make your own alternative Christmas tree or store a fake one in the loft, at least you will have something to put your presents under.
Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.