Garden Advice

How Long Do Real Christmas Trees Last?

Fantastic Team
Published: Dec 04/2017
Last update: Nov 14/2024
8min read
Views: 6,200

A real Christmas tree adds a natural and festive touch to the holiday season for many families. Their lifespan is finite, so learning how long they last will help you get the most out of your Christmas tree. The type of Christmas tree you choose plays a significant role in how long it lasts.

Different species have varying durability, with some retaining needles and moisture longer than others. Fir trees, such as Balsam, Fraser, and Noble Firs, are highly popular for their longevity, often lasting up to five weeks if properly cared for.

Every year when the holiday season inches closer, our audience asks frequent and inevitable questions: “How long do Christmas trees last?”, “How to look after a Christmas tree?”,“How to keep the Christmas tree alive?”, “Which is the best type of Christmas tree?” and so on. In this article, we’ll cover all of these questions about Christmas trees, so let’s get started.

If you are:

Wondering how long will a real Christmas tree last;
How long can you keep a real Christmas tree alive;

Then read on! This article is here to help.

How long do Christmas trees last?

A real Christmas tree usually lasts around six weeks depending on how well you care for it.

The best thing you can do for your tree is to buy the right tree stand for it. This way you won’t need to whittle the tree trunk to the appropriate size. The outer layers of wood absorb water best, so you shouldn’t damage them.

If the tree trunk is too big for the stand you currently have, simply buy a larger stand. Make sure to water it regularly, but avoid any fertilising. And, of course, keep the tree away from heat sources so it doesn’t dry too quickly.

If you have a potted Christmas tree, It’s recommended to keep it indoors between a week and ten days, but not longer. Keep it any longer and the tree will begin to suffer and will probably not thrive once put back outside in the cold.

When it’s time for the potted Christmas tree to leave the house, it should be first moved to an unheated but sheltered location where it needs to sit for a few days. Potted and pot-grown Christmas trees can be planted back into the soil, however only if the ground isn’t frozen and is well mulched.

The lifespan of a cut Christmas tree outside can vary based on several factors, including the tree species, weather conditions, and how well it has been cared for before being placed outdoors. If temperatures are consistently low, the tree can last longer.

Cold weather helps slow down the drying process. High winds or direct sunlight can lead to quicker drying and needle loss, reducing the tree’s longevity. In ideal conditions, a cut Christmas tree placed outside can last anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the species and environmental factors.

How long can you keep a live Christmas tree indoors?

There are two answers to this question. One concerns a cut Christmas tree, the other – a Christmas tree in a pot.

Cut trees can last up between 4 and 6 weeks before they start to wither. Maybe a little bit more, provided you take good care of them.
Potted trees need to stay at low temperatures at all times. If you bring them inside, make sure it’s no longer than 12-13 days. If you keep it inside longer, it might not be able to adjust to the cold.

How to look after a real Christmas tree?

To keep your Christmas tree alive and fresh-looking, you should consider some additional care:

First of all, the tree should be healthy and fresh-cut, with bright and shiny needles, not dry and dull. Any grey sections are a sign of dehydration. Some internal needles loss is normal, as the tree is preparing for the winter but the outer ones should not fall.
If you won’t be setting up your tree on the same day, keep it in a cool, sheltered and dry place. Your tree may need around 4 litres of water on the first day, so make sure to use a large bucket and keep it topped.
When ready to set up, choose the right location. It should be away from heat sources such as radiators and open fires. Whilst, Nordman Fir trees are known for their needle retention, it’s still best to keep them away from the central heating system.
Regularly water your Christmas tree, a well-watered tree is less likely to become a fire hazard. Especially for Norway Spruce trees, regular watering can extend their lives and improve needle retention, as well.
Even with the very best Christmas tree care, you’ll need to vacuum a few fallen needles. Of course, choosing the non-drop Nordman Fir will ease that chore.

Bring the holiday joy to your household! Find out more about our Christmas tree delivery service here.

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Best types of Christmas trees, which one to choose?

When looking for a Christmas tree, there are some questions you should ask yourself, as not all real tree varieties are the same. Are you looking for the best-smelling Christmas tree? Or, do you want a low-maintenance and non-drop one?

Different species of Christmas trees vary in how long they last once cut. Here are the most popular tree types:

Nordmann Fir – One of the most sought-after Christmas trees, the Nordmann Fir is known for its soft, dark green needles that are less likely to shed. With proper care, this tree can last up to 5 weeks indoors.
Fraser Fir – A popular choice for many households, the Fraser Fir has good needle retention and a pleasant scent. With adequate watering and care, the Fraser fir can stay fresh for 4 to 5 weeks.
Noble Fir – Another excellent option, the Noble Fir features strong branches perfect for holding heavier decorations. This tree can last around 4 weeks with proper care.
Scots Pine – The Scots pine is renowned for its needle retention, making it a hardy option. This tree can last up to 6 weeks with regular watering.
Douglas Fir – Known for its fragrance, the Douglas Fir is a staple in many homes. However, it requires diligent care and can last 3 to 4 weeks.

If you need help with choosing the right tree, read our helpful Christmas tree buying guide. There, you’ll learn more about the different types of trees and which one lasts the longest.

When should you put up or take down a real Christmas tree?

There is no strict rule, only recommendations. Most people in the UK put their Christmas trees up around the 3rd of December. Other people like to put up their trees about 12-13 days before Christmas.

Frankly, it depends on your tree. If you have a Nordmann fir you can easily keep it up for the entire month of December. If you have a Norway Spruce it would be best if you put it up as close to Christmas as possible.

According to the UK tradition, our Christmas decorations come down on the Twelfth Night, simply known as the 5th of January. This date is considered the last day of Christmas festivities and the eve of the Epiphany. It was once believed spirits lived inside decorative Christmas plants. Those spirits need to be released once the festivities are over.

It is sometimes debated which date is actually the Twelfth Night. Some people say it’s the 5th, others say it’s the 6th. The 6th of January is the day of Epiphany anyway, so one way or another, by then you should have gotten rid of your Christmas tree.

You can opt-in for Christmas tree disposal from us after the holidays, just make sure to contact us three days in advance so we can arrange the service.

Can real Christmas trees be delivered?

To make this holiday season less stressful, you can get in touch with the Fantastic Services support team and purchase the Christmas tree delivery and installation services. You can even include a Christmas tree disposal after the holidays.

A team of professionals will carry out the delivery and tree setup. Once the holidays have passed, you need not worry about what to do with your evergreen. The team can collect the tree and recycle it.

Looking for a Christmas tree?

Order now and get it delivered to your doorstep!

Takeaways

Real Christmas trees last about a month indoors, but if you take good care of them, they could last longer;
A cut Christmas tree would last several days outside, however, you would have to cut the end of the stem before putting it up inside.
Cut and potted Christmas trees need different kinds of maintenance.
There are no strict rules as to when you should put up your Christmas tree. It will depend on the kind of tree you buy.

So there you have it, your questions concerning how long Christmas trees last have been answered. Whether it’s the type of tree, its qualities or when’s the best time to put it up, you can always refer to this guide.

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Did you like it? Do you have other questions about Christmas trees unanswered? Drop a comment below or give us a shout on social media!

Image source: Kuzmina Irina/shutterstock.com