Christmas Trees

Let’s be honest, the artificial Christmas tree just doesn’t cut it anymore and that’s why you’re here. Although I couldn’t be more proud that you’ve decided to bring nature indoors this holiday, growing a Christmas tree takes time and an abundance of care.

Evergreens used for Christmas trees can take anywhere from 5 to 12 years to reach the average indoor height of six to eight feet.

The Norway Spruce, Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine, and White Pine are the fastest-growing Christmas trees reaching the perfect height in less than five years.

There are a handful more varieties that still grow quicker than the average listed below. Even though you won’t be able to harvest your tree this holiday, you’ll be able to watch the Christmas spirit grow outdoors until it’s ready to come inside!

Oh Christmas Tree: Finding The Perfect One

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, which one of you should I take home with me?

If you’ve ever tried searching for a live Christmas tree, then you already know just how hard it is to pick the perfect one. Almost all species of evergreen trees can be grown and used as Christmas trees. 

However, you’ll typically find five species of evergreens at your next Christmas tree farm or lot. More often than not, the real Christmas tree in your home will be a variety of fir, spruce, pine, cypress, or cedar. 

Firs Have That Classic Christmas Tree Smell

The most popular species of fresh Christmas trees is the fir. Firs are known for their excellent needle retention and strong, festive fragrance. If you’re looking for a Christmas tree that can hold those delicate ornaments and smell like Christmas, a variety of fir is the best option for you.

Firs have flat, friendly, flexible needles that add a soft touch to your home for Christmas, but are often slower growing than the other evergreen species.

The Balsam firm is the original Christmas season staple, but it isn’t among the fastest growing. There are a few fir varieties listed below that are fast-growing and resemble the old-fashioned Christmas tree.

Spruces Grow Quickly And Look Elegant

Spruce trees are another popular option for the holiday season. However, their poor needle retention usually ranks them lower than other evergreen species.

Spruce trees are often chosen as Christmas trees for their elegant branches, fresh scent, and vibrant display of colors. Their needles are individually strong, but often fall before the season is up.

One variety of the spruce tree, the Norway Spruce, is the fastest-growing Christmas tree for you to plant in your backyard and harvest in a few short years!

For a more in-depth look at spruce trees, read our article on the best spruce trees for your yard.

Pines Have It All

Pine trees make the perfect indoor Christmas tree. Often, this species is faster growing than the other evergreens. 

Pine trees do well in colder climates, so if you’re looking to plant a Christmas tree outdoors and you reside up North, the pine is the perfect option.

Every fast-growing pine variety is known for offering the best of both worlds: a fresh fragrance and natural needle retention.

Our article on the complete pine tree growth timeline will give you better insight into how to grow one in your own yard.

Cypresses And Cedars Are Pretty Fast Growing

The cypress and cedar varieties are often slow growers. However, there are a few outliers that grow faster than others.

If you’re weary about bringing the outdoors in, cypress or cedar is the safest choice for learning how to navigate fresh Christmas trees as they’re often better suited as more of a “neutral” tree for scent and feel.

Plant These 11 Fastest Growing Christmas Trees In Your Yard

Christmas trees, like any other tree, take time to grow. There are, of course, a few varieties that grow faster than the rest. 

It is important to note that if you plan to grow a Christmas tree from seed, you’ll have to add several years onto the timeline. From seed to sapling, growth is slow, but that shouldn’t be discouraging! Nurturing your own Christmas tree from the seed to the holiday season is admirable. 

However, the timelines listed below are meant for growing your Christmas tree from a sapling. Growing a Christmas tree can take as little as three years and sometimes as much as fifteen years, but according to the National Christmas Trees Association, they usually take an average of seven years to grow to the perfect height.

I get it, that still feels like a long time… like the time it takes for Christmas to come back around… several times.

Lucky for you, there are actually a few evergreens that can grow into the perfect Christmas tree in under five years!

Fastest Growing Christmas Trees Ranked: Complete Growth Chart

Here’s a quick table to summarize all of our info below – you can then keep reading for a detailed breakdown on each tree!

1. Norway Spruce

The Norway Spruce is the fastest-growing Christmas tree. When young, the Norway Spruce grows rapidly. This evergreen can reach a marketable Christmas tree height in just three years!

At its best, a Norway Spruce can grow up to 60 inches a year but averages a steady two to three feet per year of growth when planted in your yard.

The Norway Spruce grows into the perfect pyramidal shape with strong needles and branches that point upward. 

This Christmas tree offers a fresh, fragrant scent, but ranks poor in overall needle retention. To combat shedding spruce needles, harvest your Christmas tree closer to the holidays.

If you plan to plant a Norway Spruce for your next Christmas tree, the best time to plant is in the spring or early fall. Be sure to plant your tree in shallow, acidic soil.

The Norway spruce then requires at least six hours of sunlight and daily deep watering to properly grow. After the first year, your spruce should be established enough to slow down watering.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy tree to grow in your backyard to harvest for the holidays and decorate as you count the days down to Christmas, the Norway Spruce is the one.

2. Leyland Cypress

The Leyland Cypress is another one of the evergreen varieties that grow to average Christmas tree height in under five years!

This fast grower inches upward at two to three feet per year when grown in fertile soil with access to full sun. The best time to plant the Leyland Cypress is sometime mid-fall.

The Leyland Cypress has soft, feather-like needles that will last all season long. The evergreen aroma is faint and produces no pollen which is perfect for those with allergies!

The Leyland Cypress is commonly used as an ornamental tree. It’s perfect for landscapes and yes, it’s also perfect for ornaments!

3. Virginia Pine

The Virginia Pine is a popular choice for a Christmas tree. If properly planted, the Virginia Pine can become your next Christmas tree in as little as three years!

To properly plant your Virginia Pine, transplant in the spring in well-drained, acidic soil with access to full sun.

The Virginia Pine is the pioneer of plants because it is extremely hardy and easy to grow. In fact, the Virginia Pine will begin to amend the soil around it to improve growing conditions! 

This pine does require pruning to maintain the perfect holiday shape. You can even use your pine prunings for wreaths and holiday greenery!

The needles of the Virginia Pine are short, soft, and produce a pleasant, piney scent.

4. White Pine

Next on the nice list for fast-growing Christmas trees is the White Pine. This evergreen has become a traditional tree for the holidays.

The White Pine can reach a height of six feet in only three years! This pine grows at a steady rate of two to three feet per year.

The long, soft needles are beared in bundles of five, one of the only pines that do this! They’re perfect for ornaments and other holiday greenery uses.

To plant your own White Pine, wait until springtime and place in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with access to full sun. However, if you live in a warmer climate, offer your pine some shade to ensure proper growth.

The White Pine is the best tree to plant to become your next Christmas tree if you’re looking for a pine that offers it all. This evergreen offers a fresh scent, great needle retention, and grows quickly!

5. Douglas Fir

If you’re looking for your very own picture-perfect, hallmark Christmas tree to harvest from your own backyard, the Douglas Fir is a great start.

The Douglas Fir, surprisingly not a true fir, is one of the most popular Christmas trees to date. This dense, dark, earthy evergreen hardly makes its debut on the nice list as a fast-growing Christmas tree.

Although it does not grow as fast as the ones listed above, you’ll still have a fragrant, fresh Christmas tree seven feet tall in only five years, slightly below the average growth timeline for Christmas trees.

The Douglas Fir tends to be adaptable but prefers full sun access and acidic, well-drained soils. Plant your Douglas Fir in late winter or early spring.

Their needles are soft and shiny giving this fresh Christmas tree an artificial feel, but it’s real! The needles tend to be weaker than the average but will hold up throughout the season. 

No need to worry about weak branches, just search for some lightweight ornaments instead!

Glass ornaments may be too heavy and crush the needles of some real trees, so opt for lighter ones instead. RESSYYT 24pcs Christmas Ball Ornaments contains lightweight, shatterproof, and high-quality ornaments guaranteed to not crush your Christmas tree.

6. White Spruce

Spruce trees are often known to be slow to moderate-growing, but the White Spruce is a fast-growing evergreen that can be grown into your next Christmas tree! Spruce trees make beautiful Christmas trees because of their natural shape, rich color, and stiff needles. The White Spruce is known to add elegance to any space.

The White Spruce easily grows over a foot per year and will grow into the perfect Christmas tree height in six to eight years.

This evergreen closely resembles the Colorado Blue Spruce and is one of the strongest to hold ornaments and maintain needles while still releasing a slight evergreen scent.

The White Spruce is widely used as a Christmas tree and grows best in acidic, well-drained soils with access to full sun. The best time to plant your white spruce is in the late summer or early fall.

The branches of the white spruce are strong and perfect for hanging any heavy ornaments.

7. Scotch Pine

The Scotch Pine is an evergreen that is commonly grown as a Christmas Tree in the Midwest. This pine can grow up to two feet per year and can be harvested in six to eight years as a Christmas tree.

The Scotch Pine is easy to plant and maintain, and is highly survivable. If you’re new to the idea of growing your own Christmas tree, the Scotch Pine is the perfect start! Simply said, the Scotch Pine is the Christmas tree for beginners.

This evergreen will remain fresh all season long and has short, stiff branches perfect for hanging your delicate ornaments!

To begin planting your own Scotch Pine, wait until spring or fall and then transplant it into moist, well-drained, alkaline soil with full sun. Wait six years and you’ll have a seven-foot Scotch Pine Christmas tree!

9. Canaan Fir

The Canaan Fir is a variation of the Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir that is fast-growing, flawless, and fresh. The balsam fir is a timeless, traditional tree for the holiday season, but is often slow-growing. The Canaan fir is the fast-growing partner of the Balsam Fir!

This evergreen grows an average of one to two feet per year, and can be harvested at six feet in only seven years!

The Canaan fir is a combination of the two most widely known Christmas tree varieties and inherits the best feature of both. For example, the Canaan Fir combines the beauty of the Balsam Fir and the compact, needle retention of the Fraser Fir… but better.

The dark green, sturdy needles of the Canaan Fir make them perfect for hanging ornaments and the fresh fir scent creates a festive holiday scene in your home! 

The Canaan Fir does best when planted in full sun, and moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in cooler climates and must be planted in the spring or fall.

Turn your home and backyard into a hallmark holiday movie with the Canaan Fir!

10. Eastern Red Cedar

Typically, cedars are very slow-growing, yet they make wonderful Christmas trees! The Eastern Red Cedar actually falls under the nice list of fast-growing Christmas trees. You’ll find that cedars are best grown in the South and are grown as the traditional southern Christmas tree.

The Eastern Red Cedar grows an average of one to two feet per year and can reach the perfect holiday height in seven to nine years!

The scent of this cedar is usually light and has small spreads of foliage with small needles that retain throughout the season. Usually, the Eastern Red Cedar branches do best with lightweight ornaments.

The Eastern Red Cedar should be planted in the fall to root and recover by the spring. Plant your next Christmas tree in acidic, moist, well-drained soils to grow at its fastest rate.

11. Colorado Blue Spruce

And at the end of the nice list is the Colorado Blue Spruce. The Colorado Blue Spruce is a wonderful Christmas tree candidate for your homegrown journey.

The Colorado Blue Spruce is often a versatile landscape tree, but also doubles as the perfect Christmas tree! You could even leave your Spruce uncut to debut as an outdoor holiday staple in the neighborhood… no need for a sparse charlie brown Christmas tree, get yourself a  compact Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas tree!

The Colorado Blue Spruce has short, spiny needles that are a vibrant bluish-green color to add some holiday hues to your home! They are great for hanging ornaments but don’t often hang around until the holidays when harvested too early.

The Colorado Blue Spruce is native to the Rockies of Colorado – obviously – but will do well planted in any yard with moist, well-drained, acidic soils to grow one to two feet per year. This Spruce requires full sun and plenty of space to bush out.

Plant your Colorado Blue Spruce in the late winter or early spring and harvest your new Christmas tree in seven to ten years!

The blue spruces color is what makes it so iconic, and luckily we have a guide on how to make your spruce even bluer to really pop in your holiday display.

How To Grow Your Own Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree Association estimates that there are 350 million real Christmas trees growing throughout farms in the United States at any given time, so why not make it one more?

The first step to growing your own Christmas tree is to select one of the fast-growing varieties from above. Once you’ve decided on the perfect tree for your family, you’ll want to head out to your local Christmas tree farm or nursery and grab a sapling of your favorite fresh tree!

After returning home with your sapling (in the desired season for planting), having decided on the perfect spot in your yard, transplant your new sapling into acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Be sure to plant your new sapling away from structures and other trees to eliminate competition and slow growth.

The First Year of Growth

For the first year of growth, be sure to deeply water your new tree to help facilitate root growth and recovery. 

You’ll want to check on your mini Christmas tree farm often to eliminate the growth of weeds, pests, and competitors.

Keep in mind that growing a fast-growing variety of evergreens is different from the average growing Christmas tree. Because of their rapid growth, your branches won’t grow symmetrically or in the perfect shape. To keep the shape, it is recommended that you shear your tree often after it has grown past the seedling stage.

Maintenance for Your Growing Tree

Fast-growing varieties require pruning twice yearly, while average-growing varieties require a prune maybe once a year.

Remember, your clippings can be used to make wreaths and other holiday greenery!

Once your tree has reached the desired height for your home, it is time to harvest. It is best to harvest your Christmas tree no more than a month before the holidays to ensure needle retention and a fresh aroma.

There are 8 ways to make your pine Christmas tree last longer, which we’ve put into a quick guide for you.

Water, Water, Water!

If you’re worried about keeping your Christmas tree fresh after cutting it, Miracle-Gro for Christmas Tree Plant Food will add the perfect touch to the water for your tree trunk. Remember that your fresh tree will soak up water quickly in the first few days of being cut, so check it often! One capful will keep your fresh tree hydrated and reduce the number of needles that drop!

You should add a bit of water to your tree intermittently, too. We have a whole article on why you should spray your Christmas tree with water, in case you want to learn more.

Enjoy your years of hard work for the festive holiday and start the journey on your next tree!

Fa La La Logging Off

Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, so it’s no wonder you’re looking to reach out into nature this holiday for your Christmas spirit!

To review, there are hundreds of varieties of evergreens that can be grown as a Christmas tree. This post has narrowed it down to the ten fastest-growing Christmas trees for you to grow on your own time!

The 10 fastest-growing Christmas trees are:

• Norway Spruce
• Leyland Cypress
• Virginia Pine
• White Pine
• Douglas Fir
• White Spruce
• Scotch Pine
• Canaan Fir
• Eastern Red Cedar
• Colorado Blue Spruce

These ten varieties will grow into your next Christmas tree in under ten years.

Don’t be the grinch that stole Christmas, grow a tree of your own this season! Santa’s presents will look perfect under your new fresh and festive Christmas tree!

References:

Anderson, S., & Marcouiller, D. (2007). Introduction to growing Christmas trees. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Johnson, J. E. (2020). Species for Christmas tree planting in Virginia.

Moorhead, D. J. (2009). Selection and care of Christmas trees for the home.

Sowder, A. M. (1949). Christmas trees—the industry. Trees. Yearb. Agric. US Dep. Agric.

Wray, R. D. (2008). Christmas trees for pleasure and profit. Rutgers University Press.

Every year the Christmas holidays seem to sneak upon us. We vow that next year will be different but Thanksgiving occurs and the next thing you know, the race is on. Every year, millions of real trees are purchased by eager shoppers. But, how would you like to have a cashmere Christmas tree that looks just as real as a real one?

Cashmere Christmas trees are artificial Christmas trees that are fluffier than a regular artificial Christmas trees. This is due to the tips of the tree that have been treated with the soft wool from Kashmir goats. You can find these trees at many retailers or even online.

In the United States, you can choose from around 35 different types of Christmas trees. The most popular of all the fresh trees for the holidays is the Balsam Fir for it’s vibrant scent of pine. You can look and look but you will never come across a cashmere Christmas tree at a real tree lot. Keep reading to learn where you can get your own cashmere Christmas tree!

What Exactly Is A Cashmere Christmas Tree?

Okay, just the sound of it makes the cashmere Christmas tree sound soft and cozy, and luxurious. It does have all those traits, but the one thing it doesn’t do is grow in the ground.

Since the beginning of this festive holiday tradition, there have been two schools of thought: real Christmas trees or artificial ones.

Each side does have its valid points.

Before you decide that a cashmere tree is for you, let’s look at all the facts first so you can get just the right tree for you and your family this Christmas. 

What Made Us Start Putting Live And Artificial Trees In Our Homes Anyway?

Before we start our list of the pros and cons of real versus artificial trees, how about we find out when and why we started putting them in our living rooms in the first place.  

So, the origin of Christmas trees began in Germany in late 1400. While December 25 is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus, Christmas actually was inspired to honor the day of Adam and Eve on December 24.

While the use of evergreen plants was used to commemorate many special occasions in centuries past, how did Christmas trees evolve from this custom?

Original references note that the use of tree branches was called paradise trees and used during several Christian holidays. This practice evolved into what was called “Christbaum”, which translates to Christ tree.

During this time, people would take tree branches and plant them in hopes that they would bloom by Christmas.

Interestingly, this may be when the first artificial trees were developed as well. If people didn’t have enough money for these planted pots they would create a tree-like figure out of wood decorating it to look festive.

While trees were used in outdoor celebrations, a preacher in the 16^th century was credited with bringing the tree indoors.

As he was walking through a forest, the preacher became enamored with the beauty of the trees and the way the twinkling stars appeared through the branches. He decided to bring this beauty into his home and this tradition continues to this day.

Many of the decorative items evolved during this time with fabric wrapped around the base of the tree were the first tree skirts.

Trees were adorned with food items at first and tinsel was inspired by the handiwork of glistening spider webs. And Christmas tree lights were created by a friend of Thomas Edison who put around 80 colored bulbs together and wrapped them around his tree. You can read more about that in the Library of Congress’ blog if you’d like!

When Did Bringing Trees Indoors Begin In The United States?

Decorating trees as well as singing Christmas carols quickly became adopted as time went on in the United States.

As people from Germany began migrating to the U.S., they brought their holiday traditions with them.

Now to match that to a specific date, the indoor Christmas trees began in our country in the 1830s according to the University of Florida.

Real Or Fake – Is One Really Christmas Tree Better Than The Other?

Many factors go into choosing a Christmas tree. Before you start going over the more than 35 different kinds of trees you can find fresh and their counterparts that you can buy online or at the store, you need to decide if you want a real tree or an artificial tree.

Here are some differences for each version.

Cashmere And Artificial Christmas Trees

Fake Christmas trees will tend to run you in the triple digit cost figure range. The cost of an artificial tree is a little higher than a real tree because you could have full use of the fake tree for about 10 years and MANY come with lights already.

Finding Cashmere Christmas Trees

If you are interested in buying a cashmere Christmas tree you can shop online and look at the different available styles.

The Home Heritage Cascade Cashmere Christmas Tree is a great choice, it’s not overly big or small and comes already lit with white or clear eco-friendly LED lights to save you money and energy. You won’t have to drive around looking for Christmas tree lights.

Additionally, Home Heritage’s tree comes with different sizing options so you can easily measure your space and get the proper fitting tree.

Regardless, if you are interested in getting a cashmere Christmas tree you won’t have any trouble finding one. A simple search online will provide you with more options to purchase from.

Even though they sound high-end and exotic, you can find one at a large retail chain or even online.

Getting The Cashmere Christmas Tree Home & Set Up

Some fake trees come out of the box in numbered pieces making it as easy as 1-2-3 to put together. If you have chosen wisely and bought a tree that already has the Christmas tree lights on it (like the one we mentioned above) you are already ahead of the game.

I remember getting our first apartment Christmas tree at the thrift store – a very expensive tree that we got for cheap and worked beautifully!

Fake Christmas trees are the “set it (up) and forget it” of the holiday decorating category. Once you find exactly where you would like to set it up and get the ornaments and lights on, you can just enjoy it until it’s time to take it down and pack it away until next year.

One of the things you do give up when you choose an artificial tree is the refreshing and comfortable scent of a freshly cut pine tree. You can supplement your atmosphere with these Belle Aroma® Scented Holiday Ornaments that give you that Christmas-y, pine aroma you were missing from your cashmere tree.

Real Christmas Trees

While the cost of buying a real tree could range from under tens of dollars to several hundred. While this price seems lower compared to an artificial tree, you have to figure this rate every year for ten years to compare it to the one-time price of an artificial tree.

Finding Real Christmas Trees

The good news is you should have no trouble finding a Christmas tree lot! You may have to shop around because the cost of trees can be competitive and you will want to find the best tree at the best price. One of the best places is a lot that is selling trees to benefit a school or a local charity.

Once you find your perfect tree you will have to have someone from the lot help you strap it to the top of your car. Getting your tree home you will need additional help getting it off the top of the car and into the spot where you want to set it up.

When you are setting up your real Christmas tree you should make sure that you don’t purchase it too far in advance. A real tree is a perishable item and has a limited shelf life.

Sizing Real Christmas Trees

The other thing that you have to deal with when setting up a real Christmas tree is cutting it to the correct size.

You may have to make adjustments to the height of your real tree as well as make sure that the base fits into your tree holder. It may take a few cuts and shavings here and there to make sure your tree fits properly and it is not off to one side.

You should also measure your ceiling height to match that to your tree as well.

How Long Real Christmas Trees Stay Fresh For

The average time your tree will stay fresh is about 5 weeks. There are no special additives you need to keep your real Christmas tree alive other than freshwater. You should check the water level every day so that your tree doesn’t dry out and you should mist the needles!

Try to place your Christmas tree in a location that is not in front of a sunny window as well as away from any especially warm areas. You will know if your tree is starting to fade when the number of needles it is shedding is growing every day.

Before you shop for your real Christmas tree you should know ahead of time if there are any trees that you or any members of your family are allergic to.

Knowing ahead of time will ensure that there are no unnecessary reactions to deal with over the holidays.

Because of the dried-out needles from a real Christmas tree, they should be removed as they’re basically kindling as they dry out. Keep your tree well-watered and make sure to remove the fallen needles from around the tree as quickly as possible.

What Makes A Cashmere Christmas Tree Different From Regular Fake Trees?

A cashmere Christmas tree is fluffier than a regular artificial Christmas tree because the tips have been treated with the soft wool from Kashmir goats.

When the tips of the tree are covered with this downy type of wool it results in a split-ends effect. This treatment enhances the tree’s branches expanding them and leaving them looking like they are naturally frosted with snow.

Are There Different Kinds Of Cashmere Christmas Trees To Choose From?

Most cashmere Christmas trees are created from a variety of pine trees. They come in green or white and it is easy to find them pre-lit for your convenience.

Sizes range from five feet to 12 feet in height and the width varies based on the number of branches and the fullness that was created with the application of the goat fur.

The price of cashmere Christmas trees ranges from inexpensive for a small tabletop tree to hundreds of dollars for a taller, fuller version.

Besides being decorated with lights, many are also adorned with pinecones and red berries. With hundreds to choose from it’s easy to find just the right one for you!

Can You Turn Your Existing Fake Tree Into A Cashmere Christmas Tree?

While there is no way you would want to tie pieces of soft wool on every branch of your existing artificial tree, there are some simple ways you can enhance it and make it more plush and fuller.

These tips are very easy to do and much less expensive than purchasing a whole new Christmas tree. You can use one or all of these ideas and you will have your own plush cashmere tree before Christmas!

Use Garland To Decorate The Branches

To start, fill in sparse areas with garland that is the same color as your tree. Most trees already do have areas that are not filled in but they are covered up with gold or silver garland. If you use a green garland on the branches of your green tree it will look fuller instantly.

If you are not a fan of garland you can always take a nice thick red plaid ribbon and fill in the areas making it look like it’s gift-wrapped. You could also keep the glitzy feeling going with a wide shiny gold ribbon. 

Another fun idea is picking up some floral picks at a craft store and inserting them into some of the sparse areas to fill them in. Pinecones would look great while adding a natural look.

Use Big And Small Lights To Decorate The Tree

You can also try using a combination of big and small lights on your tree. When you vary it this way you are adding another way to fill in empty spaces. When the lights are on they will match up nicely and reflect on the ornaments and garland in a more even manner.

You will be amazed at how much just the addition of a couple of strings of larger bulbs will brighten your tree making it look so much fuller. This will work with clear bulbs as well as colored lights.

Use Large Ornaments

Another idea that will make your tree look fuller is to use larger ornaments. Even if you already have your ornaments, a quick trip to a dollar store could provide you with a couple of boxes of bigger ornaments for under five dollars.

Pick bold colors or use the colors of Christmas, red and green, or silver and blue, to change the tone a little.

If you would still like to give it a more cashmere look, let it snow! Use a can of flocking on all the branches or just fill in where you think it needs a boost.

Find a large colorful plush blanket to wrap around the base of your tree. This will add to the look of your tree and make it appear heavier than it really is.

That’s A Wrap!

Whether you use any one of the tips listed here or all of them, you will definitely see an improvement in the fullness of your artificial Christmas tree.

With the addition of a pine spray, scented candles, and vibrant shiny ornaments you can create a beautiful yet homey atmosphere for your friends and family members to create new holiday memories.

Thanks for sticking around and learning all about cashmere Christmas trees, what they are and where to get them!

References

Elmore, Rebecca C., and Thomas A. Arcury. “Pesticide exposure beliefs among Latino farmworkers in North Carolina’s Christmas tree industry.” American journal of industrial medicine 40, no. 2 (2001): 153-160.

Hamlett, C. A., Herrmann, R. O., Warland, R. H., & Zhao, F. (1989). Christmas tree consumption behavior: natural vs. artificial. Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 18(2), 135-139.

Hinesley, E., & Chastagner, G. (2004). Christmas trees. The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks, 650.

Talgø, Venche, Arne Stensvand, Martin Pettersson, and Inger Sundheim Fløistad. “Management of diseases in Norwegian Christmas tree plantations.” Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 35, no. 8 (2020): 433-444.

No matter how good they look, artificial Christmas trees just don’t capture the same type of Christmas spirit as a live tree. The festive event of either chopping one down in the forest or picking one from a Christmas tree lot is often an event the whole family looks forward to all year long. But how many times have you found the perfect tree only to discover a few days or weeks into enjoying it, it loses the pep in its step?

While watering your Christmas tree at the trunk is important to keep it alive and looking fresh, many people skip out on spraying the needles and branches with water. Spraying your Christmas tree with water can keep needles from falling off and drying out, along with giving the tree added moisture.

These tips can help you choose the right tools for spraying your Christmas tree, determine when to spray it, and learn how much to spray it each time. Read on for the best reasons to spray your Christmas tree with water and the best methods for doing so!

Most Common Types Of Christmas Trees

There are many types of Christmas trees, but most fall into the category of pine trees, which are trees with needles that require moisture. According to the USDA, a few of the most common types of Christmas trees are Douglas fir, balsam fir, noble fir, blue spruce, and Scotch pine.

None of these trees is immune to the seasonal problem encountered by families all over the country (and the world!) who look to bring a live tree into their homes once a year at Christmastime. The worst problem for Christmas trees is dryness, a problem that is compounded because winter is, for most homes, the driest time of the year.

The dry outdoor air of winter combined with the dry indoor air of artificial heat makes a sad environment for a live tree. However, you can take some steps to make your home more hospitable to your Christmas tree this year.

This will help you preserve those beautiful needles, characteristic Christmas tree branches, and, perhaps most importantly, that Christmas tree smell!

Since pine trees are the most common, understanding how they grow can help you learn how to keep your Christmas tree looking fresh! Check out our full guide on the timeline of pine tree growth if you’re considering getting this type.

If you’re thinking about your next tree – get a fresh one and cut it down yourself.

Here’s me cutting down our tree last year – it always makes for a memorable experience 🙂

As a side note, we actually got a great deal on this tree due to the lack of needles on the bottom, so we just did a little more leg work and chopped those off / trimmed the tree. SO – always keep your eye out for stuff like that!

OK, now back to it.

Your Christmas Tree Probably Needs More Water Than You Think

It is standard for Christmas tree stands to include a reservoir for water, like this Cinco Express Christmas Tree Stand. According to the University of Georgia, your Christmas tree stand should be big enough to hold about a gallon of water, and you need to refill the water in the stand every day.

Christmas Trees Need A ‘Fresh Cut’ To Absorb Water

It is also common for Christmas tree lots to offer fresh cuts off the bottom of the tree trunk so that water can be more readily absorbed as soon as you get your Christmas tree home and in its stand.

According to North Carolina State University, a fresh cut is a very important part of helping your Christmas tree get enough water. The cut should be about ½ inch off the bottom of the tree’s trunk, and you can make new fresh cuts throughout the season if you find you need to up the water consumption capabilities of your Christmas tree.

Some people recommend additives to help your tree stay fresh, but Michigan State University recommends that you add nothing at all to your tree’s water; Christmas trees need fresh water and that is all.

Spraying Your Christmas Tree Branches With Water Keeps It Hydrated

Despite all the emphasis put on keeping your Christmas tree hydrated, few people have ever heard of spraying a Christmas tree’s branches with water, and most people rely on that stand reservoir to keep their tree alive. Unfortunately, that method does not always work, and many trees are standing in a thick blanket of their own needles long before the presents are opened.

So, how do you keep that from happening? You spray the needles themselves. This simply means using a spray bottle or mister to apply water directly to your Christmas tree’s needles and branches, from the star on top to the presents below (but make sure to cover the presents!)

If you have ever visited a botanical garden or greenhouse, you have probably noticed that they regularly mist the tropical plants with water, creating a very humid environment, much like that of a jungle or rainforest. These plants rely on water from all around, not just at their roots. You can think of your Christmas tree similarly.

If you do not water your tree at all, you can expect a heavy loss of needles and your tree will appear dry quickly. Therefore, watering your tree is very important, and many people go to great lengths to make sure their trees get enough water in the reservoirs of the tree stands.

Spraying the Christmas tree gives it that extra moisture in parts of the tree that are not hydrated enough from the water that is taken in through the tree’s trunk. Read on for some specific ways your Christmas tree can benefit this year from a little extra water.

Spraying Your Christmas Tree Keeps It From Losing Its Needles

One of the biggest problems with indoor Christmas trees is the loss of needles over the holiday season. It is quite common to have an enormous pile of pine needles lying on the floor of your living room when the New Year comes around and you take the tree outside.

Needles can also turn brown when they dry out, which does not look very festive!

The primary culprit in needle loss is dryness. While the water the tree drinks from its trunk can counter some of the dryness of the needles, you can give them an added boost with some added water. Spraying your Christmas tree’s needles directly with water keeps the needles from getting too dry, keeping the needles green and on the branches longer.

More moisture for the needles can also help them keep their green color. Dry, brown needles can quickly make a beautiful Christmas tree look sad. If you spray the needles regularly and water the tree from the trunk every day, you can fight this common problem and keep your Christmas tree looking full and healthy for weeks.

When pine needles begin littering the floor, just remember they have uses after they are dried out. Pine needles are harvested for pine straw, which you can learn the uses of here.

Spraying Your Christmas Tree Helps It Live Longer

If you regularly mist the needles and branches of your tree, it will keep the tree alive longer. This results not only in helping the tree retain its needles but also in keeping the tree’s limbs and branches from drooping.

Nothing can ruin the appearance of a Christmas tree faster than dried, brittle limbs falling toward the ground. Sometimes this can be so bad that the branches fold in on themselves, causing ornaments to fall and break, strands of Christmas lights to fall haphazardly, and presents under the tree to become hidden by a tiny forest of dead branches.

To keep your tree from this fate, keep it watered and hydrated. While this type of branch drooping is extreme, it happens most often to very dry trees. If you have experienced this type of Christmas tree demise in the past, your home is likely very dry and you will need to take drastic measures to keep your Christmas trees alive, hydrated, and fresh.

How To Properly Water And Spray Your Christmas Tree

The only tool you need for this method is a sprayer. Luckily, misting plants is a method used by many house plant enthusiasts and gardeners, so there are several options you can pick from to spray your Christmas tree.

Misters, like Continuous Spray Mister will keep your tree’s needles moist without soaking the tree and turning it into a dripping mess. So it’s probably best to use a mister instead of a standard spray bottle.

But, in a pinch, you can just rinse out an empty spray bottle from your all-purpose kitchen spray or something similar. Just make sure that there aren’t any residual cleaning supplies in it, as those have the potential to damage your Christmas tree, undoing all the great work you were doing by spraying it.

You can also buy a new spray bottle, like the JohnBee Spray bottle, if you want to make sure you are only spraying water on your tree and nothing else, like a cleaner.

How Often To Spray Your Christmas Tree With Water

Luckily, if you keep your tree stand’s reservoir full, you may not need to spray your Christmas tree with water every day. A good place to start is to mist or spray your Christmas tree every two or three days.

Some experts recommend spraying it every day, so monitor it in the meantime. If the needles look or feel dry, you might need to spray them more often.

The humidity level of your home or the weather outside your home can also affect how often you should spray the tree. If it’s very rainy or you live in a warmer, more humid climate, you can probably spray your tree less. If you live in a very dry climate, you might need to spray it more often.

Another factor for humidity can be the temperature outside and inside your home. If it is very cold out, you are probably going to have your home’s heat turned up to compensate and make your house more comfortable.

As you probably know, this usually creates very dry air in your home, so the colder it is outside, the more likely it is that you will need to increase the frequency with which you spray your Christmas tree with water.

Fighting Extreme Christmas Tree Dry-Out

If the Christmas tree described earlier sounds familiar to you–a dried out tree, falling needles everywhere, and branches pointing horizontally to the ground–you need to take extreme measures to keep your tree from drying out.

Here are some steps you should take that might differ from those who live in more humid environments:

• Check your Christmas tree’s water level every single day. To make sure it is getting enough water, don’t worry about the exact amount in your tree stand’s reservoir. Just fill it up every day.
  
• Spray your Christmas tree with water every single day. You might also consider going from a mister to a spray bottle in this situation. Your ornaments are going to get wet, but the payoff might be worth it. Spray the tree until the needles are wet. And don’t forget to spray the branches, too! The more water you can get on the tree within reason, the better.
  
• But don’t forget about the gifts under the tree! Move gifts out of the way each day before spraying so you don’t end up soaking all those Christmas presents. Keeping your tree alive might take more work in this scenario, but when the branches are healthy and the needles are green and fresh, you will probably think it was worth all the work.
  
• Consider putting a humidifier near your tree for the duration of the Christmas season. This can constantly deliver a stream of cool moisture to your tree all day long to help stop it from drying out.

Eventually you will have to discard your Christmas tree. When that time comes, you can use the pine wood for many things!

Make Sure Not To Water The Decorations On Your Tree

Before you spray your Christmas tree, make sure you have unplugged all the lights on the tree. Don’t rely on an on and off switch; you will need to unplug the lights.

You should also pay attention to the types of ornaments and decorations you have put on your tree. A good start is to give your Christmas tree a thorough spraying all over before you put on any lights or ornaments. Allow the branches and needles to dry, then string the lights and decorate your tree. This will buy you a few days before you have to spray the tree again.

When you get ready to spray your tree after it has been decorated, you can use a couple of different methods to prevent any damage to your Christmas tree ornaments and decorations.

First, make a note of where the most important ornaments on your tree are, and just don’t spray those areas. The branch holding the ornament that commemorates your child’s first Christmas? Just skip that one.

The same goes for any other ornaments that are of particular significance to you.

If you find that all of your ornaments fall into this category, determine whether you think any of them are waterproof. A light misting of water will not harm many types of Christmas ornaments. Those that will be harmed can simply be skipped or even temporarily removed while you spray your tree.

Once you have finished spraying your tree, give it some time to dry before you plug the lights in again. A good time to spray your tree might be right before you go to sleep, as that is likely when you would turn off all the Christmas tree lights anyway.

This way, your tree will be dry enough for the lights to be plugged in again when you wake in the morning.

You might also want to move the Christmas gifts out from under the tree before you spray it, or you can cover them with a waterproof material until you finish misting your tree.

These steps might seem like a hassle, but when your tree is still green and fresh at the end of the season, you won’t regret it!

Some Final Tips On Choosing A Fresh Christmas Tree

Now that you are in the festive spirit, it’s time to put all your new knowledge of Christmas trees to good use.

But first, a few final tips you can use before it’s even time to water your tree.

• Choose a tree that seems fresh from the beginning. It’s much easier to keep a tree hydrated than to rehabilitate a dried-out, dying tree.
  
• Test the needles on your Christmas tree before you buy it. If they seem fresh and hydrated, and most stay on a branch if you pull it, this is probably a good, fresh tree.
  
• Choose a Christmas tree lot known for high-quality trees. You can even ask where the trees are from, how long ago they were cut, and whether they were kept covered during transport. These are all factors that can affect the freshness of the tree and, therefore, the tree’s life once you bring it into your home.
  
• Buy your Christmas tree on the same day you plan to set it up in its stand. Don’t buy a Christmas tree and then leave it wrapped in netting outside for a few days before you put it in its stand. Those few days can cause the tree to lose a lot of valuable water, meaning that you might see more needles on the floor on day one than you expect several weeks in.
  
• If you want to make sure your Christmas tree is fresh from day one, you might be able to cut one down yourself. Many Christmas tree farms across the country offer this option, which allows you to cut the tree down on the same day you bring it home.
  
  Other states have designated forest areas where you can obtain a permit to cut down a tree in the wild. Don’t wander off into the woods and choose just any tree, though; make sure you are not on private property or in an area that requires a permit.
  
  Either way, cutting down the tree yourself or having one cut down the same day you purchase it is a sure way to know how fresh your Christmas tree is from the beginning.

That’s A Wrap!

Picking out and decorating a Christmas tree is a highlight of the season for many families. Seeing that same tree dry out, droop, and lose all its needles before the stockings have been filled is a real disappointment during the Christmas season.

Try to prevent that from happening this year by spraying your tree with water and following our other tips for keeping your tree fresh from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

Merry Christmas!

References

Chastagner, G. A., & Riley, K. L. (2003). Postharvest quality of noble and Nordmann fir Christmas trees. HortScience, 38(3), 419-421.

Smith, W. A., & McClung, W. A. (1967). Safe Use of Christmas Trees. Leaflet/Texas Agricultural Extension Service; no. 722.