I’ve had a real Christmas tree every year of my entire life and every year on social media and since so many of my readers DM me about my Christmas tree, I thought I’d answer all of your questions about buying a real Christmas tree.
Where do you buy a real Christmas tree?
You can get Christmas trees at big box stores, garden centers, and local tree farms. I highly recommend googling “Christmas tree farm near me” to see if you have a darling place by you.
Here in Dallas, I am obsessed with family-owned Covington’s Nursery, a fabulous garden center that puts every single one of their Christmas trees out on display. Walking through their winter wonderland is an experience in itself and bringing one home is a bonus! Since the trees are all out in water, you can see the shape of all of the trees and they stay fresher longer because they’re still actively drinking water.
How long does a real Christmas tree last?
Well that depends on a few factors but my whole life, my family has gotten our trees the weekend after Thanksgiving and they’re still fresh by Christmas, so I think it’s safe to say about a month, maybe six weeks. Last year I sadly got horribly sick on Christmas Eve and was too weak to move my tree until mid-January and it was still perfectly fresh. That was my best tree ever. It literally lasted seven weeks. Go Covington’s!
While we’ve had trees start to lose needles by Christmas, we’ve never had a tree turn brown so don’t worry about that. Your fresh tree will still look great on Christmas even if it isn’t as fresh to the touch as it was at the beginning of December.
Are there different kinds of real Christmas trees?
Yep! There are tons of tree that come in all shapes, sizes, and heights.
What kind of Christmas tree should I get?
That’s really up to you! There are several kinds that I love. For many years I got Concolor Firs. The needles smell like oranges when you break them open and they’re so soft to the touch. They’re not as common here in Texas and can be a little tricky to find.
Lately I’ve been obsessed with Noble Firs. It’s one of the most expensive Christmas trees you can buy but you know what? You get what you pay for! My epic tree last year was a Noble and it was the freshest tree I’ve ever had. I think she might have made it to Valentine’s Day! Plus Noble Fir trees smell amazing and have that classic Christmas tree shape.
My parents love Frasier Firs, which fills their large living room perfectly. Frasier Firs have a wider shape and they aren’t as dense, meaning they have lots of great spots for hanging ornaments.
I also adore the German Nordmann Firs. They barely drop their needles, smell fantastic, and have that classic Christmas tree shape. You can read my article about the Nordmann Fir here.
Douglas Firs are also quite popular but I’ve never cared for them. Their branches aren’t very sturdy compared to other trees, making them harder to hang ornaments on. They are however less expensive and a great option for those wanting a less pricy option.
You can also get your tree flocked, meaning the store will make it look snowy and gorgeous. While flocked trees are absolutely stunning, I will warn you: they’re incredibly painful to touch.
How expensive are real Christmas trees?
The biggest price factor will be the height of the tree and your location. Expect to pay somewhere between $75-$150 for a 5-8 foot tree and up to $300 for a giant tree. Many stores also offer cute table top trees or rosemary topiaries as well as fresh wreaths and fresh cut garland.
Why should I get a real Christmas tree?
There is no candle in the world that will make your house smell like Christmas 24/7 the way that a live Christmas tree will! I love a good Christmas candle as much as the next person but when I wake up in the morning, I open my bedroom door and am immediately greeted with the perfect scent of a real Christmas tree.
You also get the annual thrill of picking out the perfect tree and a lovely family tradition. A lot of tree farms and even garden centers have adorable photo ops.
Buying a real tree each year is also much better for the environment. That might sound counterintuitive but Google it and you’ll see that real trees are the environmentally friendly choice. Fake trees often end up in landfills whereas when you buy a real tree, you are supporting farms that are habitats for wildlife, as well as supporting sustainable forestry. Plus, artificial trees are notorious for collecting dust, a major allergen for a lot of people.
How do I pick out a good Christmas tree?
Start with the height and shape for your space. Trees hugely vary in width. My parents, for instance, can get away with a much wider tree in their living room than I can. If you like the shape of the tree, check the needles, especially towards the center of the tree. Are they already brown? Don’t buy it! Look for a tree that’s dropping very few needles when touched with no brown needles. You want a fresh, green tree.
How do I take care of a real Christmas tree?
It’s so easy! Just make sure you put it in a tree stand with water. Check the water each morning and make sure to never let the tree dry out. You may even want to check it several times a day the first weekend. They’re often quite thirsty when you first bring them home and that’s the sign of a fresh tree! That’s really it. Make sure it has water and decorate to your heart’s content.
I hope this convinced you to go out and find your dream Christmas tree. If I’ve inspired you to get a real tree, please tag me on social media @therosetable. I’d love to see you rockin’ around your Christmas tree!
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