How do I keep my real Christmas tree fresh?
The most important thing you can do to keep your real Christmas tree fresh is keep the base of the trunk submerged in water at all times.
Follow these simple Christmas tree care tips:
Get your tree into water right away. We give your tree a fresh cut at delivery to help it absorb water. Ideally, place it in a water-filled stand within an hour.
Check the water level every day. Fresh-cut Christmas trees can drink a surprising amount of water, especially during the first week indoors.
Never let the stand run dry. If the trunk dries out, the sap at the fresh-cut base can harden and partially seal the cut surface, making it harder for the tree to absorb water.
Use plain tap water. No additives are necessary. In our experience, we've found that using warm, but not boiling, water can be helpful when first setting up the tree.
Keep your tree away from heat. Avoid fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, heating vents, and other sources of warm, dry air.
Avoid prolonged direct sunlight. A warm, sunny window can cause your tree to lose moisture more quickly.
Use low-heat lights when possible. LED Christmas lights produce less heat and can help reduce drying.
For most fresh-cut Christmas trees, consistent access to water matters more than anything else you do.
Is some needle shedding normal?
Yes. All real Christmas trees will shed some needles. The amount can vary by tree variety, and it is common for trees to drop more loose or older interior needles during the first few days after they are unwrapped and set up.
What you want to watch for is excessive shedding or other signs that the tree is becoming very dry, such as brittle branches or large amounts of green exterior needles falling off easily.
A note for Philadelphia-area homes
Homes throughout Philadelphia, the Main Line, Chester County, West Chester, and South Jersey can become quite warm and dry once the heat is running in December. If your tree is near a radiator, baseboard heater, forced-air vent, fireplace, or sunny window, it may dry more quickly and require more water.
Penn State recommends maintaining a high moisture level as the most important way to reduce needle loss, checking the stand daily, and keeping trees away from fireplaces, heating vents, and direct sunlight.