How Long Do Christmas Trees Last and How to Care for Them Indoors, According to Experts

When shopping for your Christmas tree in-person or online, Palomares shares questions to keep in mind:

• When are you planning to purchase your tree? "In order to keep your tree looking fresh and vibrant throughout the holiday season, I recommend purchasing your evergreen about four weeks before December 25," he says. "If you have time to properly care for it, you can purchase your tree as early as six weeks prior to the holiday."

• How big is your living space? "If you live in a small home or apartment, and don’t have enough space for a large tree, tabletop Christmas trees such as the Farmstand Norfolk Pine or Fragrant Holiday Lavender Tree are great options," Palomares says. "They also come pre-lit and decorated, which helps to save on time."

• Do you have time to care for your Christmas tree? "Cut Christmas trees are generally easy to care for, but remember, low maintenance does not mean no maintenance," he notes. "Cut trees still need to be tended to in order to keep their needles hydrated throughout the season."

• Do you have any pets or small children at home? Palomares notes: "Aside from keeping fragile ornaments and lights out of reach of pets and small children, you also want to consider what species are safe for them."

• Start with a healthy Christmas tree from a local farm.

  If you buy your tree from a garden store or roadside lot, it's likely that it came from out-of-state and has been exposed to drying winds in transit — meaning, it's going to have a much shorter shelf life than one you've chopped down yourself at a local tree farm. Either way, it's essential to know how to choose the freshest possible Christmas tree.
  

  Keep these tips in mind as you hunt for a Christmas tree:

  • Look for a healthy, green tree with the least amount of brown needles.
  • Select a tree displayed in a shady location. Avoid picking from a sunny area.
  • Run a few branches through your hands. The needles should feel pliable and not fall off.
  • Raise the tree a few inches, then drop the trunk into the ground. Very few green needles should fall off (but it's fine if the tree loses a few brown ones).