Keep your live tree looking gorgeous all season long with these easy tips and tricks for How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Alive Longer!
How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Alive Longer
Are you wondering how to make a fresh cut Christmas Tree last longer?
These easy tricks for how to keep your Christmas tree alive longer will extend the life of your tree, while keeping it happy and healthy this holiday season!
When it comes to Christmas, one of the the things I love most is having a live Christmas tree.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the artificial trees I’ve had over the years, but there’s just something extra special about having a live tree in your home at Christmas time.
I know you know what I’m talking about. First there’s the hunt for that perfect tree with your loved ones, then there’s the adventure of actually getting it home.
And who doesn’t love the joy a real Christmas tree brings to the whole family?
Live trees have a way of creating a gorgeous ambience in any room, and the nostalgic scent of the pine needles is one of the best smells you’ll ever experience!
Plus, it’s so easy to find a live tree as close as your local tree farm or store!
Even if you have an artificial tree, maybe this is the year that you give it a rest and splurge on a real live tree to change things up?
There are so many reasons you’ll love having a live tree in your home, and you’ll want to take good care of it so you can make it last until Christmas!
That’s why I’ve put together these easy tips and tricks to help you nurture your live tree this special season!
Here’s how to make your fresh cut Christmas tree last longer…
Related: 50 Christmas Decorating Ideas on a Budget
#1: Start with a Healthy Tree
The first trick to keeping a Christmas tree alive longer is to make sure you bring a healthy tree home!
Whether you’re heading out to the country Christmas tree farm for the hunt, or just swinging by your local tree lot, here are a few things you’ll want to consider when picking out your live Christmas tree…
1. Look for a tree with no brown needles or branches.
2. Opt for a tree with a strong scent.
3. Search for a tree with new growth on its branches. (new growth will be a brighter green.)
4. Found a tree you love? Give it a little shake or two and make sure it doesn’t drop a lot of needles.
5. Next, run your fingers along a branch and give the branch a soft tug with your fingers to make sure no needles fall off.
6. Then try bending a needle with your fingers to make sure it doesn’t snap.
7. If you can, try to find a tree that has been cut at the farm most recently… or one that has been recently delivered to the tree lot.
The fresher the tree, the longer it will last!
#2: Recut the Trunk Before You Bring it Inside
Whether you purchased your tree from a Christmas tree lot or cut it down out in the woods, you’ll want to recut the trunk one more time, just before bringing it inside.
Just like the trick for How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer, when you recut your Christmas tree trunk… it will allow more water to be taken up into the tree!
#3: Use the Right Tree Stand
When you are shopping for a Christmas tree stand, here are a few things you’ll want to look for:
1. Sturdy and well-built. (You don’t want your tree tipping over!)
2. Opening wide enough to fit your tree trunk.
3. Large enough to hold at least 1 gallon of water.
Then when it’s time to put your tree in the stand, make sure you have at least one extra person handy to hold the tree straight while you fasten the screws in the stand.
#4: Check Your Tree’s Water Level Every Day!
After you’ve recut the trunk and brought the tree inside, you’ll want to give it fresh tap water right away. By now it’s definitely feeling a little parched and thirsty!
And I know life is crazy busy this time of year, but don’t forget to water, water, water!
The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season can be such a blur with parties, gift shopping, and those nostalgic traditions.
But… whatever you do, just don’t forget to water your tree! (Don’t Ask Me How I Know) 🙂
Aim to keep at least the bottom 2 inches of your trunk submerged in water at all times.
Just like fresh cut flowers, your fresh cut tree needs plenty of water to survive the holiday season.
#5: Don’t Let Your Tree Overheat
Avoid placing your beautiful fresh cut tree by the furnace or fireplace. Too much heat will dry your tree out fast.
One way to help your tree naturally stay cool is to place it near a window. The cool air drafts that sneak in will help cool it down.
You’ll also want to take measures to keep your tree’s room cool at night.
Then, consider stringing your tree with LED lights, instead of the hotter standard Christmas light bulbs.
#6: Consider Feeding It with Sugar or Miracle Gro!
So what do you put in the water to keep a Christmas tree fresh?
Well… another simple trick to slow down that needle drop and keep your Christmas Tree healthy and happy is to give it a little snack!
When you go to water it, simply mix in some Granulated Sugar or liquid Miracle Gro Christmas Tree Preservative into your watering can.
Your fresh tree will love this little treat!
How To Save Money On Christmas Decor
One of the easiest ways to save money on your Christmas decor is to make as much of your decor yourself as possible.
Once you’ve got your Christmas tree up and ready to decorate, it’s time to get the rest of the your home ready for Christmas, inside and outside too!
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This easy DIY Plastic Hanger Snowflake project is the fabulous, budget friendly Christmas decoration you’ve been looking for!
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Add more Christmas cheer to your front yard when you create some of these festive Wooden Christmas Trees!
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Give your yard decor a magical upgrade this year with a pretty DIY Tomato Cage Christmas Tree!
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Got the itch to craft? Do you absolutely love Christmas?? If you’re feeling crafty, get inspired with this BIG List of Fun and Easy Christmas Crafts!
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From Creative DIY Projects to Festive Decorations on a Dime, your house is going to look AMAZING this year!!
So have you tried any of these tips for How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Alive Longer yet?
Or do you have another trick? Leave a comment & share!
I will have to reference this for next year as we are going to try to get real christmas trees as we read that the nutrients give back to the soil! Thanks for sharing this!!!
That’s so exciting, Christie! There’s nothing quite as magical as a real Christmas tree in your living room! 🙂
Thank you for sharing a helpful post!
You’re very welcome, Dennis… I’m so glad you liked the Christmas Tree Care Tips!
Love these tips about keeping a fresh Christmas tree alive!! I didn’t even know people kept the tree watered through the base! Love these tips – definitely important to know how your tree is doing. Last thing you want is for it to not last until Christmas. Thanks for sharing!!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
That’s so true, Nancy! Years ago when we bought our first live tree, we picked it up the day after Thanksgiving. We didn’t know about any of these tips back then, and it sure was a sad sight by Christmas! 🙂
Great tips! Who knew about adding sugar to your Christmas tree water?? We have a fake tree this year in Paris in our small apartment, but when we are home again next winter, we will have a real tree again for sure!
Isn’t adding sugar such a simple trick, Molly? And that’s so exciting you’ll be getting a live tree again next winter. Enjoy your Christmas in Paris this year!!
Oh man, the first time I bought a tree myself I failed to cut the tree trunk. It did not last long! These are awesome tips for getting the most out of your Christmas tree.
Thanks Heidi!
Oh no… that’s so sad, Lauren! Trimming that trunk really does help so much! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely Christmas season!
great tips – pinned and shared!
Aww… thanks so much, Carol! I’m so glad you liked the tips! 🙂
Interesting about adding the sugar, we always used to add asprin but my dog started drinking the water from the tree stand when we got him (obviously have to check the water levels daily now) so that stopped being an option. Starting with a healthy tree is so important! x
Sophie
Oh no… dogs can definitely love tree water! The sugar really does seem to help. 🙂
Merci beaucoup pour les conseils
Belle soirée
De rien Delphine… Belle soirĂ©e
I should remember that!
Yes… these simple little tricks really do make such a big difference! 🙂