The Lifespan Of A Balsam Fir Christmas Tree

The Balsam Fir is a popular choice for a Christmas tree due to its strong fragrance and ability to thrive in cooler climates. On average, a Christmas tree can last about four weeks, or through the holiday season, if it is cared for properly. To ensure that your Balsam Fir lasts through the holidays, it is important to select a healthy tree. When purchasing a pre-cut tree, choose one that was cut recently (within the week) to ensure freshness. Before taking your tree home, give it a good shake and inspect the needles for signs of needle loss or browning. Once you get your tree home, be sure to place it in water as soon as possible and keep it away from direct heat sources, like fireplaces or heaters. With the proper care, your Balsam Fir Christmas tree should last well through the holiday season!

Balsam firs are slow growers, reaching a maximum height of one or two feet per year

The Balsam Fir is a slow-growing tree, reaching a maximum height of one or two feet per year. In ideal conditions, Balsam Firs can grow about a foot (0.5 m) a year. They quickly become the evenly shaped, dense, conical trees that we recognise as Christmas trees. However, they don't stop there. With time, Balsam Firs become towering, architectural trees with a bold presence in the landscape. They can reach heights of 90 to 100 feet (27.5 to 30.5 m) at maturity.

Balsam Firs are commercially significant because of their use as Christmas trees. They are known for their strong fragrance, neat shape, and bluish-green colour. They are also similar in appearance to spruce trees, but the cones of Balsam Firs stand straight up on the branches, while spruce cones dangle.

When planting a Balsam Fir, it is important to choose a sunny or lightly shaded location. An area with light morning shade will help prevent frost damage. It is also crucial to water the tree deeply and mulch heavily immediately after planting, using 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) of organic mulch.

While the tree is young, it is important to water it weekly in the absence of rain. Young trees need a lot of water, so it is recommended to use a soaker hose to saturate the soil around the tree or bury a water hose under the mulch and let it run as slowly as possible for about an hour. Older trees with roots sunk deep into the soil only need watering during prolonged dry spells.

The slow-growing nature of Balsam Firs means that they can take a long time to reach maturity. However, with proper care and patience, these trees can become impressive, towering additions to any landscape.

They are best planted in the fall or spring, and require a lot of water when young

When it comes to planting balsam fir trees, the best time to do so is in the fall or spring. If you're planting a bare root tree, it's important to rehydrate it by soaking it in a bucket of water for several hours before planting. Container-grown plants, on the other hand, can be planted any time of the year. Avoid planting during periods of drought or extreme heat, and if you're planting a tree that was previously used indoors as a Christmas tree, get it into the ground as soon as possible. Choose a location that gets either full sun or light morning shade, as this will help prevent frost damage.

Once you've planted your balsam fir, it's important to water it regularly, especially when the tree is young. Young balsam firs need a lot of water, so use a soaker hose to saturate the soil around the tree or bury a hose under the mulch and let it run slowly for about an hour. If the water starts to run off before the hour is up, turn it off temporarily and let the soil absorb the water before resuming. Fertilize your balsam fir in the spring, being careful not to overdo it, as over-fertilizing can damage the tree. Once the tree matures, it won't need fertilizer every year.

A fresh cut on the butt of the tree and a water-holding stand will help keep a Balsam fir fresh

The Fresh Cut

When selecting a Balsam fir, it's important to ask when the tree was cut down. Choosing a recently cut tree (within the week, if possible) will ensure it looks fresh throughout the season. Once you've selected your tree, ask for another fresh cut on the butt before taking it home. This will help the tree absorb water and stay hydrated.

The Water-Holding Stand

Use a sturdy tree stand that holds plenty of water, ideally with a reservoir that holds at least a gallon. Fill the reservoir with cool tap water as soon as you get home and place the tree in it. The tree will use up to a gallon of water on the first day, so be sure to top off the water as needed. Check the water level daily and ensure that the bottom 2 inches of the trunk remain submerged.

Additional Care Tips

• Keep the tree away from direct sunlight and heat sources like fireplaces, heaters, and heat vents. Lower temperatures will slow the drying process and help the tree retain moisture.
• Avoid adding anything to the tree water. Research has shown that plain water is the best way to keep your tree fresh.
• Use LED lights, which generate less heat than incandescent bulbs, reducing drying and helping the tree stay fresh longer.

With proper care, your Balsam fir Christmas tree should last well through the holiday season, bringing the fragrant smell of fresh needles into your home.

A Balsam fir Christmas tree will last the whole holiday season if cared for properly

• When purchasing a tree, ask when it was cut down. It's best to choose a tree that was cut recently, preferably within the same week, to ensure freshness.
• Opt for a fir or cypress tree over a spruce or pine. Fir and cypress trees tend to retain their needles for about 4 to 5 weeks, while pine and spruce trees may start shedding needles within 2 to 3 weeks.
• Inspect the tree's needles before buying. Give the tree a gentle shake and check for needle loss or browning. A fresh tree will only shed a few brown needles, while a dry tree will shed more green needles.
• Once you've brought the tree home, cut a thin slice off the trunk to help it absorb water. This will ensure the tree can take up enough water to stay fresh.
• Use a sturdy tree stand that can hold at least a gallon of water. Keep the stand filled with water, checking the level daily.
• Don't add anything to the tree water. Plain water is the best option, as preservatives and other additives have not been shown to improve tree longevity.
• Keep the tree away from direct heat sources and sunlight. Place it in a cool room, ideally no warmer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, to slow down the drying process.
• Use LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs, as they generate less heat and can help extend the life of your tree.

By following these care tips, you can enjoy your Balsam fir Christmas tree throughout the holiday season!

The best way to ship Balsam firs is by refrigerated truck or enclosed van

A Balsam fir Christmas tree can last the whole holiday season, which is about 4 weeks, if it is well taken care of. The key to getting it to last is to select a healthy tree.

To ensure the Balsam firs remain fresh, it is recommended to put a fresh cut on the butt and place the trees in water-holding stands. Retailers should remind customers to use large water-holding stands and fill them daily. By following these steps, a Balsam fir Christmas tree will typically last well through the holiday season.

Frequently asked questions