Putting a Christmas tree up for the holiday season is a popular choice for people regardless of whether they are religious or not. Decorating a tree and perhaps adding some lights and other ornaments can be a fun way to spend the holiday season.
And of course, you don’t even need to choose a real live tree if you’re concerned about needles dropping and making a mess in your home!
Here are 11 questions about Christmas trees answered including Christmas tree species, real trees vs artificial ones, care instructions and more!
How long does a Christmas tree take to grow?
The average Christmas tree needs around 7 years to grow high enough to be used for that purpose but a wider range of 4 – 15 years is used when comparing many species of trees which can grow at different rates and in different climates.
The speed that a tree grows matters because the slower growing trees tend to have stronger branches than faster growing trees. This is a handy fact if you like placing heavy ornaments and lights on your tree that can weigh the branches down.
With that in mind, here are some thoughts regarding the speed that trees grow:
Fast-growing Christmas tree species include both the Leyland cypress and Arizona cypress which are predominantly grown in the southern US in temperate climates such as Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, parts of Florida and the Carolinas. These trees can grow as much as 3′ – 4′ in one year. Douglas firs can grow up to about 2′ per year at the top end and also tend to be among the most popular and expensive Christmas trees.
Medium-growing Christmas tree species include the popular Fraser fir and Balsam fir which need about the average of 7 years to grow high enough to be used as a Christmas tree. So they can be expected to grow at best about 1′ per year. The Canaan fir grows at a similar rate. Pine trees tend to fall into this category too. The Radiata pine of Australia grows about 1.5′ per year and as such is the country’s most popular Christmas tree.
Expect to pay a bit more for these medium-growing trees when compared to some of the fast growing ones.
Slow-growing Christmas tree species include the Eastern red cedar and Virginia pine. They tend to grow around 1′ – 2′ at best each year. These are trees that tend to be popular in the south where they’re grown.
You can usually save money by cutting your own tree at some Christmas tree farms or pay a few dollars more per foot, save some time in the process and get a pre-cut tree. If you find trees starting at $6 – 9 per foot where you cut your own, you might pay $12 – $15 on the high end for pre-cut trees.
What happens to unsold Christmas trees?
What happens to unsold Christmas trees very much depends on where you live. Unsold trees that were cut down for Christmas and were unsold can be recycled and turned into mulch, wood chips and even food for livestock.
Sold Christmas trees can be used in your backyard as mulch or if they are collected by your local authority for recycling after the holidays, they may also very well end up as mulch, wood chips or animal food, too.
But there are other uses for discarded Christmas trees and again, your home location plays a part.
Decomposing Christmas trees can be used as fertilizer. When placed on beaches, old Christmas trees can be used to help build up sand dune grass to fight erosion. In your own backyard, cut up Christmas tree branches can be placed on flower beds to help protect against a harsh winter.
As for discarded artificial trees, they are generally thrown in the garbage and will end up in a landfill most likely.
What is the most common type of Christmas tree?
Fir, pine and spruce trees are commonly used as Christmas trees with the Balsam fir, Fraser fir, Canaan fir, Nordmann fir and Douglas fir being among the most common. You may also come across Norway spruce and Serbian spruce trees when searching for a Christmas tree but it also depends on where you live.
Here are some quick things to consider when looking for a real Christmas tree:
Needle retention: The Nordmann fir is often referred to as the “no needle drop tree” but it will drop some needles over time, albeit less so than some other trees. The Douglas fir and Fraser fir are also well-known for retaining their needles longer than other trees when cared for properly. Trees will shed needles on the floor of your home however so expect to vacuum and sweep needles up the longer you keep the tree in your home. The tree is dead after all and will shed needles.
Long needles: The Grand fir species has long needles 1″ – 2″ in length if you prefer a tree with a longer needle.
Fullest Christmas tree: If you like a thick tree with a nice pyramid shape with long-lasting needles, the Douglas fir is a great choice. In relative terms, you could also choose a Balsam over a Fraser fir for example, as the Balsam is fuller.
Most attractive tree: The Fraser fir has a pleasant citrus scent and 1″ needles. It too is often referred to as having non-drop needles. The Norway spruce is known for having an attractive shape.
What’s best for you? It really depends on what you’re looking for and what you have available in your local area.
How much does a Christmas tree weigh?
A typical 6′ – 7′ tall Christmas tree will weigh about 50 lbs but can weigh more depending on the species and thickness and fullness of branches. The weight of a real Christmas tree is also determined by its height and tree species. Standard Christmas tree sizes are generally in the 5′ – 9′ range with the popular height being 6′ – 7′.
If you’ve gone shopping for real trees, you know that if you have enough selection you will see plenty of trees that are thin and scrawny and others that are thick and full. Clearly the thicker and fuller the tree, the more it will weigh.
Once you get your tree home, you can influence the ongoing weight of the tree by how much water you give it. Christmas trees do need water while inside your home and by the time you’re ready to discard your Christmas tree after the holidays, you might notice a weight difference.
Between the lost pine needles and dehydration if you don’t water the tree, you may notice that the tree is a bit lighter on the way out of your home compared to the weight coming in.
The average artificial Christmas tree comes disassembled in a paper box and weighs anywhere from 20 lbs to over 70 lbs depending on the height. A small 5′ artificial tree can weigh around 17 lbs – 21 lbs, a 6′ tree may weigh around 31 lbs, a 7′ tree can weigh 41 lbs, an 8′ tree is around 53 lbs and a 9′ tree will top out at 74 lbs.
A string of LED lights can add 4 lbs or more to the weight of a tree should you purchase them.
What is the strongest smelling Christmas tree?
Pine, cedar and hemlocks tend to have strong smells even after being cut. The Balsam fir is a popular Christmas tree known to produce a nice scent and the Fraser fir and Concolor fir also have pleasant smells. A freshly cut tree will give off a stronger smell than a tree that was cut earlier so keep this in mind when purchasing one.
Also remember that smell is a very personal and subjective topic. Some trees considered to have a pleasant and strong smell may feel the opposite for you.
When you bring a Christmas tree into your home, you will tend to notice the scent of the tree at least for several days. You will notice the scent of a tree inside the smaller confines of your home and at room temperature more so than when the tree is outside in an open area with a lower temperature.
As with other scents, our nose does become desensitized to smells and you may not notice the aroma as much after several days and as the tree ages.
If you like the scent from your tree, make sure it’s properly hydrated (watered) as the sap will move better through the tree which promotes the so-called Christmas tree smell.
If you’re looking for trees that don’t give off a strong scent on the other hand, you might consider the White pine or Leyland cypress among others. Artificial trees have no smell from the time they’re new, too.
Why do people buy artificial Christmas trees?
Artificial Christmas trees have really improved in style, quality and look over the past few decades. They can easily last 10 years or more, can be left up in your house as long as you like and don’t require watering or clean up. You also don’t have to run out and get a new tree each year either.
Plus, if you don’t like the smell of a real Christmas tree, an artificial one will solve that problem since it has no scent.
Artificial Christmas trees have a stylish pyramid shape that you endeavor to find with a real tree but don’t always get. Since they are manufactured, they are designed symmetrically. If you’ve ever bought a real Christmas tree and upon bringing it home realize it has a large bald spot, another flaw or damage, you know what I’m talking about.
An artificial tree of decent quality can last for many years. Expect 6-9 years for the most part but if you take care of it, it can last much longer since you’re only actually “using” it several weeks per year. Unless one of the attachment rods or branches breaks, a good quality artificial tree can be used for many years.
How should I care for my Christmas tree and make it last?
Despite what you might have heard, fresh water is the best thing you can give your Christmas tree to keep it hydrated once in the home. You don’t need to add sugar or bleach or any of the other things you have heard will help to make it last longer.
Another important tip is to cut the very bottom off the stump when you bring the tree home, before you set it up. It’s best to cut a small straight amount of the stump off – 0.5″ is enough – to enable the tree to more easily absorb water. Once the tree is cut down and is waiting to be sold, the stump can dry and harden and it can be difficult for the tree to suck up water. By cutting a small amount of the tree stump off in a straight line, it reopens pores that absorb the water.
And if you have a fake Christmas tree, keep the box or other packaging that it came in and make sure you pack it away safely and securely when the holidays are over. By protecting the branches and attachments, you can extend the life of your tree beyond what it might otherwise last.
How much pollution do fake Christmas trees cause?
In 2007, a study
showed that you would need to use an artificial Christmas tree for 20 years in order for it to produce a lower carbon footprint than buying a real Christmas tree each year.
The study didn’t take into consideration the environmental cost to produce raw materials for the fake trees nor did it take into account the transportation cost from an environmental perspective since many artificial trees are made in China and need to be shipped here.
Artificial trees are generally non recyclable and normally get thrown in the garbage and will end up in the ground in a landfill which is another consideration.
What’s the story behind the meaning of a Christmas tree?
Some thoughts are that the display of a real tree inside the home has its roots not due to Christmastime but rather winter. By bringing a (formerly) living tree inside the house, it was a reminder of what to look forward to in the springtime and to help an otherwise cold, icy winter pass by somewhat more positively.
The earliest written reference to a Christmas tree comes from the 1850s in Germany and is often associated with the country as a result. In the German language, a Tannenbaum refers to a fir tree which is a common species of tree used for Christmas trees in Europe.
While German speaking countries are more likely to call a Christmas tree a Weihnachtsbaum or Christbaum in practice, the word Tannenbaum is often mentioned by non-German speakers as equating to “Christmas tree” since it is the title of a famous German Christmas carol O Tannenbaum.
A Christmas tree can be from many different species including fir, balsam, pine, cedar and more. Since real Christmas trees are locally grown where possible, it’s likely that your home area may have certain tree species that other places around the world may not have and vice versa.
Why do so many people put up Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving?
We’re at a point in time where it seems we go from one holiday/event to the next particularly in the autumn. Labor Day turns into Halloween which turns into Thanksgiving. Then once Thanksgiving passes, we’re pretty much in December and many people consider December 1 as the first day that it’s acceptable to have a Christmas tree in your house.
If you’re going to buy a tree and take the time to decorate it, you might as well have some time to enjoy it right?
Contrast this with those who put their tree up to coincide with the beginning of Advent which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This is typically around the end of November so if you’re looking for a reason to put your tree up one month before Christmas, you’ve got it.
But Roman Catholics will often put their tree up on the afternoon of December 24, much later than the others.
As to when to take the tree down? Christianity says that keeping your tree up 12 days after Christmas is what to plan for.
Having said that, check to see what day your local area picks up trees for recycling as that might be a more appropriate day to plan around.
How environmentally sustainable is the Christmas tree industry?
Most Christmas trees available for purchase are grown on Christmas tree farms. Over 15,000 such farms exist in the United States and Canada alone. Only around 2% of Christmas trees are cut down and used that were not originally intended for this purpose.
Christmas trees are essentially a crop similar to wheat or barley and are planted and grown to be used as such. In other words, most trees that end up getting used as Christmas trees are grown for that purpose making the industry very sustainable. Real trees also tend to be grown locally and are both biodegradable and recyclable.
When compared to artificial trees which are not recyclable and are usually made overseas and shipped locally for purchase, buying a real Christmas tree every year is actually less environmentally taxing than one fake tree that may last 10 years give or take.
And when alive, trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, too.
Summary
When choosing a real Christmas tree, you can help yourself by first figuring out which tree makes sense for you and what species are easily available in your home area. While you can have trees shipped to you, it obviously will increase the expense to you and you don’t get to personally choose the one you want.
A quick way to check your desired tree for quality is run to run your closed hand through a few branches to ensure needless don’t easily fall out which indicates the tree might be old(er). Also gently bend a branch to see if it snaps which can indicate the tree is dry.
Ask your tree retailer which species they recommend for your area and which of the trees they have for sale are the newest and thus should survive in your home the longest.
Don’t forget to buy a tree that fits your home too. Don’t get one that is too large. Measure your room area before heading out to buy a tree.
Want to learn more about Christmas trees? The National Christmas Tree Association is a Colorado-based organization representing Christmas tree growers that also provides additional information on the trees including buying tips you can benefit from.
Christmas Tree Species Summary And Benefits
Here’s a table comparing some common types of tree species used as Christmas trees, along with their weight and height ranges and benefits as Christmas trees:
| Tree Species | Weight Range (lbs) | Height Range (ft) | Benefits as Christmas Trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balsam Fir | 30-50 | 6-7 | – Strong fragrance |
| Douglas Fir | 40-60 | 6-7 | – Excellent needle retention |
| Fraser Fir | 40-60 | 6-7 | – Strong branches for hanging ornaments |
| Noble Fir | 50-70 | 6-8 | – Sturdy branches for heavy ornaments |
| Scotch Pine | 40-60 | 6-7 | – Long-lasting needles |
| Virginia Pine | 30-50 | 6-7 | – Dense foliage for a full appearance |
| White Pine | 30-50 | 6-7 | – Soft needles that are less likely to shed |
| Colorado Spruce | 50-70 | 6-8 | – Classic Christmas tree shape |
| Norway Spruce | 50-70 | 6-8 | – Strong branches for hanging lights and ornaments |
| Eastern Red Cedar | 30-50 | 6-7 | – Natural aroma and insect-repellent properties |
Please note that the weight and height ranges provided are approximate and can vary depending on the specific tree and its growing conditions.
Additionally, the benefits listed are general characteristics associated with each tree species as Christmas trees, but individual preferences may vary. It’s recommended to visit a local tree farm or nursery to see and select the tree species that best suits your preferences and needs.