How to Look After a Real Christmas Tree

The smell of a real Christmas tree is one of the best parts of the season. Fresh needles, that familiar pine scent, the way it brightens a room. But to keep that magic alive right through to New Year, you need to know how to care for it properly.

With proper care, your tree can last four to five weeks or even longer. Without water and the right conditions, it dries out quickly and needles drop fast.

Choosing the Right Tree from the Start

Your tree's fate might be decided before you even get it home. The quality of your tree is super important. Make sure you buy from a reputable grower or nursery where trees have been cared for properly.

When you're picking a tree, look for flexible needles that stay put. Gently grab a branch and pull your hand toward yourself. If needles come off easily, the tree is already dry. Bend a twig as well. If it snaps, the tree has been sitting too long.

A few needles dropping is normal. But if lots fall without much movement, choose a different tree.

Common varieties include Scots Pine, Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, and Balsam Fir. Fraser Firs are popular because they hold needles well and last longer. Scots Pines are traditional and fragrant. Fir species generally last the longest.

Preparing Your Tree for Indoors

Most trees can go six to eight hours after cutting without water. Store yours in a cool, sheltered spot until you're ready. A garage, porch, or the north side of your house works well. Keep it out of the wind and sun.

If you're not setting it up immediately, place the trunk in a bucket of water.

Remove between half an inch and one inch from the base of the trunk using a saw. Cut straight across, not at an angle. Don't whittle the sides down. The outer wood is where the tree absorbs water, and you need that intact. A fresh cut opens up the pores so the tree can drink.

After cutting, place the tree in a bucket of water and let it soak for several hours before bringing it indoors.

Setting Up Your Tree at Home

Get a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. The best stands hold two gallons. As a general rule, your stand should provide one quart of water per inch of stem diameter.

Position your tree away from heat sources. Radiators, fireplaces, direct sunlight, heat vents, televisions, and computer monitors all speed up water loss. A corner of your room is ideal. It keeps the tree safer from knocks and bumps too.

Let the tree sit for a few hours after setting it up before you decorate. This allows the branches to settle into their natural position. It makes decorating easier and gives you a better, more even look.

Watering Your Tree Daily

This is the most important step. Water is critical when it comes to keeping your tree fresh.

A freshly cut tree can drink up to a gallon of water in the first 24 hours. After that, it typically needs one to two quarts daily. Check your stand every single day. Many people are surprised at how thirsty Christmas trees are.

Make sure the base of the trunk stays submerged in water. If the water level drops below the trunk, a seal of dried sap forms within four to six hours. This blocks the tree from absorbing water later. If it does seal, you'll need to make another fresh cut.

Don't add sugar, lemonade, aspirin, or commercial tree food to the water. Research has shown these additives make little to no difference. Some even increase water consumption or cause needle loss. Your tree simply wants fresh water. That's all it needs.

Lights and Decorations

Use LED lights rather than older incandescent bulbs. LED lights stay cool and won't dry your tree out. Incandescent bulbs generate heat that speeds up water loss and needle drop.

If your tree is full and heavy, spread decorations throughout the branches rather than on the edges only. This distributes weight better and helps with stability.

Avoid placing the tree near open flames. Never put it directly in front of a fireplace or wood stove. Even a well-watered tree is flammable.

Planting Your Tree in the Garden

Potted Christmas trees can be planted in your garden after the holidays. Cut trees cannot be planted because they have no roots and cannot survive outdoors. Potted trees come in two types: container-grown (grown in a pot from the start) and containerised (dug from the ground and potted for Christmas). Container-grown trees have better survival rates since they haven't had recent root damage.

Before you plant, check what species you have. Spruces and pines are easier to transplant than firs. Also find out how large your tree will grow. Some evergreens reach 60 feet or more, which might be too big for your garden.

Preparing to plant

The best time to plant is after Christmas when temperatures are mild but before the ground freezes. Ideally, dig your planting hole before the ground freezes. The hole should be twice the width of the root ball and the same depth.

If you're planting after the holidays and the ground is frozen, keep the tree in an unheated garage or sheltered spot until conditions improve. Then plant as soon as you can.

Acclimatising your tree

This step is vital. Your tree has been warm and sheltered indoors. Moving it straight outside to a frosty garden causes shock and can be fatal. Move the tree to an unheated garage or porch for a few days. Gradually increase its exposure to outdoor conditions. Then plant it in its final location.

Planting steps

Water your potted tree thoroughly while it's still in the pot. This makes it easier to remove and ensures the roots are hydrated.

Dig your prepared hole and remove the tree gently from its pot. Loosen the soil around the roots carefully to help them spread out.

Place the tree in the hole. The root ball and trunk should sit at the same depth as they were in the pot. Don't bury the trunk deeper than ground level or it may rot. Use a garden cane across the hole to check the depth.

Backfill the hole with the soil you removed. Mix in compost if you have it. Water well to settle the roots and remove air pockets.

After planting

Apply two inches of organic mulch around the base. Keep it at least an inch away from the trunk to prevent fungal problems.

Water regularly during the first year, especially during dry spells. The soil should stay moist but not waterlogged.

Apply a specialist tree fertiliser during the growing season to support new growth.

If your tree looks unstable or could be blown over by wind, stake it into position until it's properly established.

Caring for your planted tree

Once established, most Christmas trees need little maintenance. If you want to keep a neat shape, trim branches lightly and often. Never make hard cuts into old wood.

You can decorate your tree outdoors next Christmas with solar-powered lights. Alternatively, you can dig it up and repot it to bring indoors again next year. Be aware that this causes root stress and the tree may not survive replanting multiple times.

After the Festivities End

Once Christmas is over, remove cut trees from your home. A properly cared for cut tree will last four to five weeks indoors. After that, it's time to recycle it.

Most councils offer Christmas tree recycling services. Trees are turned into mulch, compost, or wood chips. Check if your local council offers curbside collection or has a drop-off point. Many garden centres and DIY stores also accept trees for recycling.

Get Your Garden Ready for Spring

Looking after a real Christmas tree is straightforward when you know what to do. And if you're thinking about adding more trees to your garden or need advice on caring for existing evergreens, Thor's Trees is here to help.

Our arborists at Thor’s Trees can assess your garden, suggest trees that work for your space, and advise on planting and ongoing care. Whether you're planning future plantings or want to refresh your landscape, we're ready to help.Contact us to book a free consultation with one of our specialists. We'll give you honest advice about creating a greener, more beautiful garden for years to come.