Get Your Christmas Tree Early: When To Buy?

The best time to buy a real Christmas tree is a highly debated topic. While some people prefer to put up their Christmas trees before Thanksgiving, others argue that any time before this holiday is too early. The prime time to buy a real Christmas tree is generally considered to be around the first to second week of December. However, this also depends on how well you take care of your tree. With proper care, most real Christmas trees can last five weeks or more. To ensure your tree stays fresh, it's important to trim the trunk, keep it watered, and display it away from heat sources.

When to buy a cut Christmas tree

The best time to buy a cut Christmas tree depends on your preferences and how long you want it to last. If you want to put your Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving, buying a real tree may be too early. Real Christmas trees typically last around three to four weeks, so buying one before Thanksgiving may mean your tree won't make it through to the end of December.

The prime time to buy a real Christmas tree is around the first or second week of December. Anytime after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day is the suggested time frame to secure a real tree. If you buy a real tree within this timeframe, it should last you through the holiday season.

If you want to ensure your tree is fresh, buy from a Christmas tree farm. These trees are likely to be fresher than those from other places, which could have been cut at the end of October. At a Christmas tree farm, you can also cut your own tree, ensuring it is as fresh as possible.

When buying a pre-cut tree, there are some things you can look out for to ensure it is fresh. Check that the needles are not dry or falling off. They should be a rich, dark green colour and feel soft to the touch. The tree should also feel heavy, indicating that it is heavy with water.

How to tell if a cut Christmas tree is fresh

It's best to get a cut Christmas tree between late November and mid-December. The average time a well-watered cut tree holds its needles is three to four weeks.

• Check if the tree is heavy, which indicates that it is heavy with water.
• Check if the foliage is cool to the touch. A dried-out tree will feel hotter.
• Check if the needles are soft to the touch. A dry tree will have stiff, sharp needles. The exception to this rule is spruce trees, which naturally have stiff, sharp needles.
• Check if the needles are a rich, dark green colour. Dry trees are often bleached to a lighter olive-green or grey-green.
• Check if the needles stay on the tree. However, be aware that older needles inside the canopy of the tree, closer to the trunk, will shed even on a moist tree.
• Check if the needles are fresh. Very fresh needles will snap when bent. Somewhat dry needles will bend rather than break.
• Check the stump of the tree. If the cut is sticky with sap, it's likely fresh.
• Use a tree stand that can hold at least a gallon of water.
• Cut off at least half an inch from the trunk of the tree to help it absorb water more easily.
• If you need to store the tree, put it in the shade in a bucket of water.
• Wash the tree outside with a garden hose to remove any pollen or dust and knock off dead needles. Allow the tree to dry off completely before bringing it inside.
• Display the tree away from heat sources and use lights that are in good working condition and certified safe.
• Check the water level in the stand daily to ensure that it does not go below the base of the tree.

How to care for a cut Christmas tree

Choosing a Fresh Tree

The best way to ensure a fresh tree is to cut it yourself from a local Christmas tree farm. If you opt for a pre-cut tree, look for flexible needles that remain firmly attached when you tug on them. The needles should be a rich, dark green colour. They should also be soft to the touch, except for spruces, which naturally have stiff, sharp needles. The stump should be sticky with sap, which is a sign of freshness.

Maintaining Freshness

The most important factor in keeping your tree fresh is maintaining a high moisture level. This is achieved through the use of water-holding stands, keeping the water level above the base of the tree. The stand should hold at least 1 gallon of water, and the water should be replenished daily, especially during the first week. If storing the tree for more than a couple of days before display, place the trunk in water and store it in a cool, shaded area.

Preparing the Tree for Display

If it has been more than 12 hours since the tree was cut, the trunk should be recut to improve water uptake. Cut off a disk of wood about 1/4" thick from the base of the trunk, making the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Do not cut the trunk at an angle or into a v-shape, as this will reduce stability and water uptake.

Caring for the Tree

Keep the displayed tree away from sources of heat, such as fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight. Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process and reduce water consumption. Check the water level daily to ensure it does not go below the base of the tree. Use only clean water, and avoid adding any preservatives or other additives.

Monitor your tree regularly for dryness. If the needles break easily or fall off, the tree has dried out and should be removed.

The benefits of a real Christmas tree

While it may seem counterintuitive, opting for a real Christmas tree has several benefits. Here are some reasons why you might want to choose a real tree this holiday season:

Environmental Benefits

Real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and provide immense environmental advantages. They are sustainably managed and grown for an average of eight to ten years before being cut down. During their lifetime, Christmas trees convert carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen, filter water, reduce runoff and potential flooding, provide habitats and food for wildlife, and cool the surrounding temperatures by almost ten degrees. They also reduce erosion and pollution, and the wood can be used for construction. After the holidays, real trees are entirely biodegradable, and thousands of organizations will take them to convert them into mulch or compost.

Personal Benefits

Research has shown that having a real tree in your home can positively impact your mental health, productivity, and overall happiness. They can boost your immune system and lower anxiety. The traditional fragrance and natural beauty of a real tree bring a sense of warmth and harmony to your home.

Economic Benefits

The real Christmas tree industry employs around 100,000 people in the US alone. Real trees support farmers and put land to use that would otherwise lie fallow. Christmas tree farms provide a fun and enjoyable family experience, allowing you to create lasting memories.

Safety Benefits

Real trees are much safer than artificial ones. Artificial trees are made with harmful chemicals such as metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can release toxic dioxins and ethylene dichloride. They are also highly flammable and can burn quickly and intensely, producing harmful fumes.

In summary, choosing a real Christmas tree over an artificial one offers a range of benefits, from supporting the environment and local economies to enhancing your personal well-being and safety during the holiday season.

Where to buy a cut Christmas tree

If you're looking to buy a cut Christmas tree, there are several options available to you. The most convenient option is to purchase a pre-cut tree from a local retailer. These can often be found at stores such as Walmart, Target, Lowe's, and Home Depot. Many local nurseries and garden centres will also sell fresh-cut Christmas trees. For example, in the Sacramento area, you can find cut Christmas trees at Foothills Christmas Trees, Chad's Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, Green Acres Nursery & Supply, and several other locations.

Another option is to visit a Christmas tree farm, where you can either cut your own tree or choose a pre-cut tree. This is a great option if you're looking for a fresh tree and want to make a day out of it. In Northern California, some popular Christmas tree farms include Hillside Tree Farm, Dave's Christmas Trees, Mikey's Christmas Trees, and Bambi's Christmas Tree Land.

When selecting a cut Christmas tree, it's important to choose a fresh tree to ensure that it lasts throughout the holiday season. Look for trees that are heavy, have soft, flexible needles, and are a rich, dark green colour. Avoid trees with dry, stiff, or sharp needles, as these are signs that the tree is not fresh.

Additionally, proper care of your cut Christmas tree is essential to maintaining its freshness. Be sure to keep the tree well-watered, displayed away from heat sources, and unplugged when you are not at home or are asleep. With proper care, your cut Christmas tree should stay fresh and beautiful throughout the holiday season.

Frequently asked questions