How long do Christmas trees last?

[singingpixie]

This year will be our first venture into having a real Christmas tree. When should I get it? I'm thinking this Saturday might work because I'll be leaving town the 22nd and would like to enjoy it for a couple weeks before then.

Any suggestions on keeping it green longer?

 

[blu3d3vil]

They last until December 26th every year.



Seriously your tree will be fine if you're just now buying it.

 

[singingpixie]

Thanks! I was worried I would end up with a brown tree by the time I left for Christmas!

 

[GothTink]

We cut ours fresh, because we've had lot trees that only lasted a week before. A fresh tree, well-watered, will last up to five weeks, we've found.

 

[Crankyshank]

We normally get our tree around the 10th of December and it lasts at least until my birthday (Dec 29th).
I put Sprite in the tree stand to get it to last longer.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've always heard that no more than two weeks is optimal in a heated indoor environment. Beyond that the wood/needles can begin get dry enough to be good fire accelerant, even when you keep the tree watered.
(NEVER allow the base of the tree to get completely dry after it is put up. If that happens it will seal over, and watering again will not help unless you make a new bottom cut.)

We're traditional. We keep ours up for exactly 12 days, starting on Xmas eve.

 

[singingpixie]

I've always heard that no more than two weeks is optimal in a heated indoor environment. Beyond that the wood/needles can begin get dry enough to be good fire accelerant, even when you keep the tree watered.
(NEVER allow the base of the tree to get completely dry after it is put up. If that happens it will seal over, and watering again will not help unless you make a new bottom cut.)

We're traditional. We keep ours up for exactly 12 days, starting on Xmas eve.

Well, it's only 2 weeks and 2 days from this Saturday till I leave town, so even if it only lasts that long it's not the end of the world. It'd be nice for it still to be in OK shape when I get back (my boyfriend will only be gone for 2 1/2 days so I can have him stop by and water it before and after he leaves) but I won't be upset if it's looking like I should take it down right before heading out.

 

[singingpixie]

I've heard you should cut off the end of the stump before putting it in water (like trimming the stems of flowers I suppose)- what do you usually use for that? I could always borrow a sawsall from work.

 

[lillygator]

(blushing) well we've had one until February...it was a tad brittle.....!

 

[mickeyboat]

I've heard you should cut off the end of the stump before putting it in water (like trimming the stems of flowers I suppose)- what do you usually use for that? I could always borrow a sawsall from work.

Ask the people at the tree stand if they will do that for you. They can also trim the bottom branches for you if you want.

Lillygator - when I was in law school DH refused to take our tree to the dumpster, after repeated requests to do so. Finally at EASTER time I was fed up and dragged the tree to the front door of our apartment. When he tried to open the door to come in, the tree was completely blocking his entrance. I told him the only way I would move it back for him is if he promised to take care of it right then and there. He did. And BTW - it was still green!

Denae