How long does a Real Christmas Tree Last?

The best types of Christmas tree for needle retention are the Nordmann Fir and Fraser Fir. Both these varieties will stay looking good for about 5 weeks indoors with the right care. Our Nordman Fir ‘Slim Shape’ tree, which is more tightly trimmed to create a narrower tree, perfect for smaller rooms and corridors, will retain its needs for 5 weeks too. Next best are the Blue Spruce, Noble Fir and Lodgepole Pine, which will each hold their needles for around 4 weeks and get a 4 out of 5 star rating in our ‘needle retention’ score.

Whilst Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree, offers the best balsam fragrance and is most cost effective option for medium to tall tree sizes, it does have a tendency to start dropping more needles after a few weeks, especially if its kept in a warm room or subject to changes in temperature e.g. near the front door. Norway Spruce still makes a fabulous Christmas tree but we recommend you bring it into the home no earlier than mid December so it doesn't start dropping too many needles by Christmas day.

Real Fresh Cut Christmas Trees

Potted Christmas Trees

Choosing a healthy, freshly cut tree

• The scores and timeframes above all rely on the tree being freshly cut and healthy to begin with. If you're interested in how long your Christmas tree will last, being able to identify a healthy tree in the first place is key.
• Needles should be bright and shiny, not dry and dull. Needles on the outer part of the tree should not fall off when the tree is gently shaken (some loss of internal needles is normal). Branches should be flexible not brittle.
• Some ways to check whether a tree is fresh are:

(1) Drop the tree from 1 foot (30cm) above ground and check to see how many needles fall
(2) Gently bent some branches upwards. They should be flexible and not snap easily.
(3) Check the weight of the tree - heavier trees are fresher and more healthy.
(4) Bend a needle between your thumb and forefinger. It should form a "U" shape.
 

• For more detailed information on how to choose and check the quality of Christmas trees click on the link.

• At Jackson's Nurseries we grown many of our own trees on site which are cut regularly throughout December, so you can rest assured that you're getting a freshly cut tree whenever you choose to buy.
  

Giving your Christmas tree the right care

• Giving your tree the right basic care and attention will have a big impact on how long it lasts and how fresh or bedraggled it looks when it should be taking centre stage on Christmas day.

• Getting your Christmas tree home without drying it out or damaging the branches is the first step.

• Proper storage before it's put up in the home (if relevant), choosing the right location, regular watering, remembering to turn the tree lights off at night, temperature control and on-going checks such as for sap leakage are all important. Check out our articles on how to care for your Christmas tree and how to keep your Christmas tree looking fresh for more information.

How to make your Christmas tree last a lifetime...

• If you want to keep the memory of your Christmas alive for a lifetime try buying a pot grown Christmas tree is a great option.

• Many families choose to do this for their child's first Christmas so they have a lasting memory and can treasure the first tree which will grow with them even when they've flown the nest.

• Water the potted tree thoroughly when you get home, then let the water drain off before bringing it indoors. We also recommend protecting your carpets with some tarpaulin or waterproof sheet to help protect your carpets when you bring it indoors.

 When to get my Christmas tree delivered?

• We would advise against having any variety of Christmas tree delivered before the last week in November. For Norway Spruce Christmas trees, we recommend installing in the home no earlier than mid-December, though it is fine to purchase it and store it in a cool, dry place for a week before this time if needed. 

• 'No needle drop' Nordman Fir trees will stay looking strong right through Christmas with the right care and attention if installed any time from the last week in November onwards. 

• Installing a Norway Spruce on the 1st December means it may start to look a little bit ropey by Christmas day if the room is a little too hot or if you forgot to top up the water for a couple of days.

• One option that gives you the best of both worlds is ordering your Christmas tree online or by phone well in advance and having our garden centre staff reserve a tree that fits your requirements. You can then arrange for it to be delivered on a day of your choosing or collected from our Staffordshire garden centre at your convenience.

• Our trees are grown on site and cut fresh throughout the festive season. If you input notes with your order setting out specific requirements (e.g. bushy, broad based) we'd be delighted to pick the perfect tree for you.

• Most people opt for the second weekend in December to install their tree in the home, which will fall between the 8th and 14th December depending on the year. It's pretty good timing in our books and recommended by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) too.

 
Contact Us for Advice

• At Jackson's Nurseries we understand that choosing the right tree and treading the fine balance between giving in to peer pressure from the kids to put the tree up early whilst also making sure it's still looking good on Christmas day can be a challenge!

• If we can help in any way feel free to contact us with your questions. All types of Christmas trees mentioned in this article can be purchased from our Christmas trees page.

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