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No one wants a dry Christmas tree, with needles that drop off at the slightest touch. But if you've invested in a fresh tree, what's the best way to keep it green and healthy longer?
It's an important question, since more people are buying their trees earlier, says Doug Hundley, 71, spokesman for the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), based in Littleton, Colorado. Americans purchase 25 to 30 million Christmas trees annually, he says.
Though Hundley says there is no shortage of trees, media reports of scarcities have people buying early. “We’ve got a good supply,” he says. “It’s adequate, but not an oversupply.” He acknowledges, however, that prices for trees have been going up over the last few years to compensate for decades when there were no increases.
Hundley says that last year the NCTA introduced new COVID-19 best practices to make Christmas tree shopping safer, including selling trees outdoors and encouraging families to cut their own tree.
This interactive Christmas tree finder can help you locate options in your ZIP code.
Whether you prefer a Douglas fir, pine or cypress tree, here's how to care for your conifer throughout the holiday season.
Select your tree carefully
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Alternatives to a Real Tree
Live trees aren't for everyone, especially if you live in a small space or you don't want the hassle of hauling a tree home and watering it. Here are some other options for bringing festive cheer to your home.
• Artificial trees have come a long way, and many have lush branches or come pre-decorated or pre-lit with LED lights. Look for one with a hinged design that sets up with one snap.
• Ceramic and porcelain Christmas trees are making a huge comeback. These vintage tabletop decorations — often featuring built-in lights and a star on top — were holiday staples back in the 1970s. There are currently close to 15,000 Instagram posts tagged.
• Pick up a previously loved fake tree at a thrift shop. Lots of people donate their artificial trees to places like Goodwill, where you can pick up a tabletop version for as little as $5.
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If you're purchasing a pre-cut tree from a seasonal tree lot or other retailer, touch the needles — they should be soft and pliable, says Hundley.
"Needles should not fall off in any significant way,” he says. “If they're dry, coarse or release in your hand, that's telling you there is a problem.”
Don't worry if you see brown needles deep inside the tree, he adds. All trees, including conifers, shed some of their foliage in the fall, and those needles may still be hanging inside the tree.
For pre-cut trees, ask which batch was delivered most recently and choose from those trees if possible. Then ask the vendor to cut a half-inch disk from the bottom of the trunk — or cut it yourself at home, says Chelsi Abbott, a Chicago-based technical adviser at the Davey Institute, part of the Davey Tree Expert Company.
