How long do real Christmas trees last?
One of the most magical moments of Christmas is picking out your real tree. It’s the centrepiece for the season and keeps us feeling festive from the day it’s brought home to the moment the lights come down.
Keeping your real tree looking fresh is important, and we want to make sure you’re able to enjoy your tree for as long as possible – so with a few simple steps, your tree can remain vibrant, full, and fragrant all season long.
What is the lifespan of a real Christmas tree?
With good care a healthy, freshly cut tree typically lasts around four to six weeks before it begins to dry out. Keeping your tree hydrated is the most important factor in preserving its freshness, as without enough water the needles lose moisture, the branches start to droop, and the natural scent fades.
A freshly cut tree is like a cut flower and takes in water through the base of the trunk, which feeds the branches and needles. If the base seals over, the water can’t be absorbed, leading to early drying. That’s why preparation is key before putting the tree into its stand.
How to prepare a real Christmas tree
When you bring your new tree home, we recommend removing the netting and letting the tree rest first before decorating. Keeping it somewhere cool like a shed or garage allows the tree to adjust to indoor temperatures after spending so much time outside! Ideally, you should saw a thin, 2cm slice from the bottom of the trunk and keep the tree stood in water until you’re ready to bring it inside.
Once the tree is ready to be decorated, bring indoors and place the tree in a sturdy stand that is water retentive and can be topped up regularly. A good quality Christmas tree stand should support the trunk and keep the tree upright.
Did you know a tree can absorb up to a pint of water per day? Even more if the room is warm. This means it’s crucial to top up the tree’s water daily – even a few hours without water can cause the base of the tree to seal, reducing absorption permanently.
Placement and environment
Where you position your real Christmas tree has a major impact on how long it stays fresh. Ideally you should avoid placing it near radiators, fires, heating vents, and sunny windows as direct heat causes the needles to dry out quickly.
A cooler, well-ventilated spot helps the tree retain both colour and scent, so somewhere where you don’t tend to use the heating as much would be the best location to ensure longevity.
Good airflow around the tree also matters – try not to push it too tightly into a corner or against a wall. Giving your tree a little bit of breathing space will help moisture circulate evenly and keep it healthy for much longer.
When to buy a real tree
For the most part, buying a tree in early-mid December gives you plenty of time to decorate and enjoy it over the Christmas period, and it shouldn’t dry out before the New Year.
If you prefer to have a tree up from late November that’s okay too, we’d just recommend excellent hydration or even keeping it in a bucket of water outdoors until closer to Christmas.
How to keep a real tree fresh throughout Christmas
The most important thing for keeping a tree fresh is to be consistent – check water levels every day and refill as soon as you notice the well dropping below the base of the trunk.
Although it can be tempting to add sugar or other household ingredients, all your tree needs to stay fresh is clean, cold tap water. Anything else could potentially cause damage.
To keep the branches looking full and lush throughout the festive period, we recommend rotating the tree every few days, so all sides receive light – and you get to see all the beautiful decorations you’ve adorned it with!
A lasting centrepiece for your home
A Christmas tree is a meaningful part of the festive period, so taking care of your tree means it can provide a beautiful and colourful backdrop to special Christmas memories all season long.
If you’re unsure on which real tree to choose, have a chat to our Green Team in-store who can offer advice on the right height, shape, and stand for your space, and talk you through how to care for your tree from taking it home to disposing of it in the new year.