How to Keep Your
Fresh-Cut Tree Thriving
A few simple habits keep your tree green, fragrant and full from the day you bring it home until the holidays are over, even in Denver’s dry air.
How Do I Keep My Christmas Tree Fresh?
Get your tree into water within a few hours of bringing it home, and never let the stand run dry. Check the water every day, since a fresh tree can drink a gallon or more in its first day. Place it away from heater vents, fireplaces and sunny windows. In Colorado’s dry winter air, a humidifier in the room helps too.
The First 24 Hours Matter Most
A fresh-cut tree is thirsty. Once it’s home, set it in its stand with water as soon as you can, ideally within a few hours. If the trunk has been out of water longer than that, cut about half an inch off the bottom so it can drink again. Make the cut straight across, not at an angle or in a V. Fill the stand all the way, then check it again that evening. Many trees drink more on the first day than any other.
How Much Water Does a Christmas Tree Need?
A good rule of thumb: your tree can drink about a quart of water a day for every inch across the trunk. A tree with a 4-inch trunk may need about a gallon a day. Use a stand that holds at least that much, and keep the water level above the bottom of the trunk at all times.
If the stand runs dry:
The cut end can seal over with sap, and the tree stops drinking. Refill it right away. If the tree still won’t take water, it may need a fresh cut.
Plain tap water is all your tree needs. Sugar, aspirin and other additives aren’t necessary.
Find the Right Spot
Where your tree stands makes a big difference in how long it lasts:
Away from heat
Keep it at least 3 feet from fireplaces, space heaters and heater vents.
Out of direct sun
Sunny windows dry out needles faster.
A cooler room helps
The cooler the room, the slower the tree dries out.
Near an outlet
So cords don’t stretch across walkways.
Christmas Tree Care in Colorado’s Dry Climate
Denver winters are dry, and forced-air heat makes indoor air drier still. That pulls moisture out of a Christmas tree faster than in more humid parts of the country. The good news: a few small steps make up for it.
- 1Check the water twice a day for the first week, morning and evening.
- 2Run a humidifier in the room where your tree stands.
- 3Close nearby heater vents or point them away from the tree.
- 4Choose a tree known for holding its needles if you decorate early. The Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Nordmann Fir and Scotch Pine hold up best.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Holiday safety starts with daily hydration and cool lighting:
- Use lights made for indoor use, and check cords for damage before you hang them.
- LED lights stay cooler than older bulbs.
- Turn off tree lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
- Keep candles away from the tree.
- Never let a tree dry out. A well-watered tree is a safer tree.
Signs Your Tree Is Drying Out
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| The water level isn’t going down | The trunk may have sealed. Check that the water covers the base, and give it a fresh cut if needed. |
| Needles fall when you brush a branch | Water right away and move the tree away from any heat source. |
| Needles feel brittle and snap | The tree is drying out. Keep the stand full and check it twice a day. |
| The scent is fading | Usually a sign it needs more water and humidity. |
A very dry tree is a fire risk. If it’s dropping lots of needles and won’t drink, it’s time to take it down.
Which Christmas Trees Last the Longest?
With good care, any fresh-cut tree will look great through the holidays. If a long display matters most to you, the Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Nordmann Fir and Scotch Pine have the best needle retention. The Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir and White Pine also hold up well when they’re watered every day. Compare all eight in our Choosing Your Tree guide.
Recycling Your Christmas Tree in Denver
When the season’s over, your tree can have a second life. The City of Denver’s Treecycle program turns holiday trees into free mulch for residents in the spring. Drop-off usually runs from late December through January. Before you drop it off, remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, netting and the stand. If you live outside Denver, check with your city for its tree recycling options.
Christmas Tree Care: Your Questions
Start With a Fresh Tree
The best way to keep a tree fresh is to start with a fresh one. Come walk our two acres of fresh-cut trees, from 2 to 15 feet tall. While you’re here, walk through more than 500,000 holiday lights for free, visit with Santa, and hear a story from Mrs. Claus.