Depending on who you ask, your Christmas tree should go up sometime between November 1 and Black Friday. We won't delve into the debate as to when Christmas season actually starts, but we can confirm that it doesn't end until January 2nd—or later, if you're Taylor Swift (or Lady Mary Crowley). However, that's a wide window for your Christmas tree to stay up, and if you opt for a real tree, you need to know its life span.
Like any cut flower or plant, a Christmas tree won't stay fresh forever. The natural life span of a cut Christmas tree is a good cue for when it's time to un-deck the halls too. So, how long does a Christmas tree last? Read on for the time line and tricks to keep your tree green and smelling fresh all December—no pine-scented candles needed.
How Long Does a Christmas Tree Last?
On average, a freshly cut Christmas tree will last between four and five weeks. The key words here are freshly cut. If you're purchasing your tree from a farm or tree lot, the salesperson should be able to tell you when your tree came down. If you buy it from a hardware store or street stand, however, the answer could vary a bit.
How long your Christmas tree lasts also depends on how well you care for it. Now, Christmas trees don't require the same maintenance as a houseplant. You won't have to worry about ample sunlight or humidity, but you do have to be sure you're watering your Christmas tree often enough.
The other factor is what type of Christmas tree you have. Different types of trees last longer than others—something you might want to consider when picking out your tree. Is it a pine or a spruce, or maybe a fir or a cypress?
- Pine: Three weeks
- Spruce: Three weeks
- Fir: Five weeks
- Cypress: Five weeks
How to Tell if a Christmas Tree Is Dead
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it's probably time to put your tree out on the curb.
Is the Tree Shedding Its Needles?
It's the dreaded sign of the end of the holiday season. If your tree is losing needles fast, its days are numbered. If your tree is relatively new, this could also be a sign that it needs more water. We recommend using a tree stand with a built-in water reservoir to prevent premature needle dropping.
Can the Branches Support Your Ornaments?
If your tree's branches start drooping under your ornaments' weight (assuming you're not hanging dumbbells on your Christmas tree), the tree is probably on its way out. Of course, you could just have abnormally heavy ornaments.
Has It Stopped Drinking Water?
Healthy trees absorb water the water in the reservoir so quickly that you need to refill it daily or every other day, max. If you find that the water is just sitting there, your tree doesn't have much life left.
How to Help a Christmas Tree Last Longer
A real Christmas tree can last the entire month of December—and maybe even stretch into the new year—if you care for it properly.
Trim the Trunk
Similar to trimming flower stems prior to placing them in a vase, you should trim the trunk of your tree by a few inches if it's not freshly cut before you put it in the stand. This not only helps your tree last longer, but it also helps the tree absorb water. Ask the attendant at the tree lot to help you, or carefully do it yourself when you get your tree home.
Add Fresh Water Daily
To be sure your tree is getting enough water and avoid sitting water that can lead to trunk rot, refresh the water in the tree stand daily or at least every other day. You can include a bit of sugar and vinegar as a "tree food" of sorts to elongate its life span.
Beware of Heat Sources
If possible, avoid placing your Christmas tree underneath or above a heat vent or next to a radiator. This can make the tree dry out faster and lead to early needle dropping.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful's Digital Editor, writing in-depth , design inspiration stories, and . With over five years of experience writing commerce and search-optimized content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate has developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often lie behind the inspiration for people’s spaces. She previously worked as the assistant market editor at ELLE Decor where she identified top products and brands in the industry and interviewed emerging designers about their thoughts on the latest . Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.
