The Best Time To Buy A Real Christmas Tree So That It Lasts The Whole Holiday Season

The best time of year to start shopping for a new Christmas tree depends on whether you're looking for an artificial or live one. For a faux tree, there's no such thing as buying one too early. When it comes to the real deal, though, the time frame is much more important, as a cut tree will only stay fresh for a maximum of five weeks. That makes early to mid-December the ideal time to pick up a fresh tree to last through the entire holiday season, as long as you keep several considerations in mind.

For one, cutting down your own tree at a local farm will guarantee the longest lifespan. However, if you're limited to pre-cut trees, know that it will have lost some of its lifespan before you even purchase it. It can be helpful to ask the vendor for the harvest date so you know exactly when it was cut. If they're unsure, inquire about how long it's been at their lot and reconsider if the answer is more than a week or two.

Another telltale sign of freshness to look for when buying a live Christmas tree is how strong the needles are. If they're dry and fall off as you touch them, the tree is not a good buy. Another hack is to lift the tree off the ground by about 6 inches and let it drop onto its trunk — the needles should stay firmly attached if the tree is fresh.

When looking for a real Christmas tree that will stay fresh and gorgeous all season long, the actual type of tree you choose will play a big role in your success. A Fraser Fir or Nordmann Fir will typically last the longest (up to 5 weeks), with a Noble Fir not far behind at about 4 weeks of needle retention.

Once you've made your choice, help prolong the life of your real Christmas tree with a simple tip: cut its base. What many shoppers don't realize is that the trunk of a pre-cut tree is naturally sealed with sap, which makes water absorption difficult. As a workaround, cut 1 inch off the bottom of the trunk and immediately place it into a water-filled tree stand. You can further help absorption by also drilling a quarter-inch hole into the base, although this step is optional. Simply put, the key to a long-lasting tree is to never let it dry out, and a good rule of thumb is to purchase a stand that holds at least 4 liters of water and top it up daily.

One final thing to keep in mind is that needles will dry and drop if the environment is too hot. Keep your tree away from any heat sources, like radiators, and turn off electric string lights when you're not enjoying them, as these also emit heat. Misting your evergreen every couple of days can also help keep it looking green and lush longer.