It seems like there are two sides to having and decorating Christmas trees – Do you go for a fake tree that is easy to store and assemble each year or do you go out and cut down a live tree?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. We are a divided household so we actually have both. My husband is a fan of artificial trees and prefers to go to the heated basement to get this iconic holiday display. I, however, am a real tree fan so I like to make my family trek out to a local tree farm to cut down our pine tree.
Ever since I was a little kid, my parents would haul my brother and me out to a local tree farm. We would then choose the perfect tree that would make its appearance in all our holiday gatherings and pictures.
Today, my kids get that same experience every year. Armed with a saw, a rope, and some hot cocoa, this yearly tradition happens no matter the weather. Even though they are now teenagers, they (usually) still enjoy going out each year on the day after Thanksgiving to cut down our live tree!
If you want to get your very first live tree or just want some tips on keeping it alive and healthy, then I’ve put together some things to keep in mind. The tips in this article will help you when it comes to picking out a live tree, cutting it down, getting it last all December long, and disposing of it.
Cutting Down And Caring For Live Christmas Trees
The Benefits Of Live Christmas Trees
To begin with, live Christmas trees are actually good for the environment and nature. On average, it takes about eight years for a real tree to grow before it gets harvested for the holidays. During this timeframe, it helps to provide a habitat for wildlife while also producing plenty of oxygen. The tree farms themselves also help to provide plenty of green space.
And, unlike artificial trees, a real tree is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. No spending years adding bulk and materials to landfills.
But the main reason why we like to get a live Christmas tree is the memories. I have year after year of pictures of my kids all bundled up and trekking out to help us cut down a pine tree. The tree then lives on forever in our memories and in all the photos from our holiday seasons.
Get The Right Stand
First things first. Before you go out and get your tree, you need to get a tree stand. The stand needs to be able to handle not only the weight and height of the tree but also hold plenty of water.
In general, you want a stand that can hold at least 1-2 gallons of water. You also need a stand that has a wide, stable base. Avoid those dainty, thin-legged stands that wouldn’t be able to support a wide, tall tree.
We’ve had our trusty tree stand for years. It can hold up to a 10-foot tall tree with a 7″ wide trunk. We have had all sizes of live trees in this stand and have never had issues with tipping or instability.
As an added bonus, it also holds 2 gallons of water AND it has a spill guard around it (not like I’ve ever needed it . . .). After the first few days, I only have to water the tree every couple of days (which can be a pain once you get all those presents stacked around the base of the tree). (Product Link: C148E Stand Express Tree with Ratcheting Fastener System)
Protect Your Floors & The Tree Location
In addition to a tree stand, I also like to place some type of protection underneath the tree. This can vary from an inexpensive, simple cheap shower curtain to a plastic tablecloth. I usually don’t spend more than a few dollars. We then throw on a blanket or tree skirt to pretty it up.
As far as choosing the location for your tree, choose a spot in your home away from any heating elements. Be careful with heat registers, fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters.
We learned the fireplace one the hard way! After we got our gas fireplace insert, we had a live tree nearby that we basically dried out in a few weeks. By the time Christmas came around, we were too afraid to even turn on the lights since it was so dry! (The fake tree now goes near where the fireplace is.)
Preparing To Go To The Tree Farm
Depending on where you go to get your live Christmas tree, you might need to bring a hand saw and a rope. The place we go to supplies those for us, but throwing one in your vehicle might be a good idea.
A lot of people bring a cordless reciprocating saw with them to do the job quickly. We don’t have one here at home, but my husband has used this one at work and said they would work great if hand sawing is a challenge for you. (Product Links: DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw and Wood Pruning Reciprocating Saw Blades)
You also need to have some sort of tie-downs if you aren’t using a truck bed to haul the tree in. We have lugged a freshly cut pine tree plenty of times on top of our old SUV before my husband got a pickup truck!
It’s also a good idea to bring with you a pair of gloves. Freshly cut pine trees produce lots of sticky sap that can get all over your hands if you aren’t careful.
Choosing The Perfect Tree
As far as picking out a tree variety, there are a ton of different varieties out there. We usually always choose a White Pine, but there are plenty of other great options. While White Pines have less sturdy branches, they also don’t drop prickly needles that can be tough on bare feet. (If you want a description of the different varieties out there, check out this website.)
No matter what variety you choose, there are a few things to check out before you make that cut. You want to look at the needles. Are they a sad yellow color or are they a bright vibrant green? The yellowing color is an indication that the tree might not be the best choice for cutting down.
Grab a branch with your hand and gently squeeze while you run your hand down it. The needles should be flexible and not brittle. If several needles come off while doing this (especially green ones), it’s best to look for a different tree. A few brown needles coming off are ok though.
Lastly, check the trunk. If the bottom has an odd angle or curves drastically, you might have a hard time getting it in your stand. Once all that checks out, it’s time to cut the tree down.
Cutting The Tree Down
Get down on the ground and use your saw to cut parallel to the ground. Having someone stand and hold the tree can help make cutting easier. (It also ensures the tree doesn’t fall on the person cutting!) Keep around 6 inches of trunk before branches start if possible to make fitting in the stand easier. Once it’s cut, give the tree and good shake to remove excess dead needles or leaves. It’s now time to take the tree home!
Buying A Pre-Cut Tree Tip
If you are picking up a pre-cut live Christmas tree instead of cutting it yourself, you need to make a fresh cut before adding it to your stand. Depending on how much time has passed since it was first cut, it might have sealed off with sap.
Getting Live Christmas Trees Home
If you are lucky enough to get the tree bundled up, leave it that way until you get the tree securely into the stand. This will make the process much easier. Make sure the trunk is nice and straight and that the stand fully supports the tree.
Next, water your tree well. Don’t add any additional ingredients to the water. It simply isn’t needed. Plain old tap water is perfect for watering live Christmas trees. I do suggest that you use lukewarm water though as opposed to cold water.
Always ensure the tree is properly watered by checking the levels daily. You will need to water your live tree at least every day for the first week or so. If you have a stand that holds less than 1.5 to 2 gallons of water, you might need to water it twice a day. Then, you might be able to cut back to every other day. If the water level drops below the cutline, the tree might seal itself off and will need to be recut.
Avoid leaving any lights on while you sleep and while you are away from home. We use a timer which helps prevent those issues (and just manually turn it off when we leave).
If you suspect that the tree is drying out at all, stop using the lights and dispose of the tree properly. There is always a risk of fire with live trees so just be smart and mindful.
After The Holidays
Take your tree down before it dries out for safety purposes. Don’t wait until it is crispy and needles are falling at an alarming rate.
To easily remove the tree from your house, we have one person hold the tree upright while the other loosens the base. Lift the tree out of the stand and immediately place the trunk in a plastic bag or something that will prevent the sticky sap water from dripping onto your carpet/floor.
There are many ways you can recycle or reuse the tree. Most can be recycled in neighborhood tree recycling programs. You can also feed the tree to goats, use it to add natural habitat protection to pond fish, cut it up to use as natural mulch in your garden, use it to fill a new raised garden bed, or use it as firewood.
With proper care and watering, your Christmas tree can live for around 5 weeks. As stated, we typically get ours on the day after Thanksgiving and are able to keep it up and healthy at least until the new year. (By that point, I’m usually over the holidays and ready to get my house back to normal!) I hope you try getting a live Christmas tree at least once – you may become hooked!
Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
– Chelsea
*This post may contain affiliate links. These are products I have used personally and highly recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you purchase items through my links. These links and the ads on this page help to support my family and our semi homestead, so Thank You!
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