How long does a real tree last...?

[superhelen]

I've always had artificial trees due to pets but really want a real Norwegian spruce this year. Can anyone tell me how long it should live for as I really like to put my tree up early but don't want a dead tree before the end of the Christmas season!!?

Thanks x

We put ours up on about 10th, and it comes down on 12th night after and it was still looking all chirpy last year

We have bought ours as early as the first weekend in December and they always last. However it is important to pay a bit more for the non drop type. I can't wait to get ours this year, the smell is lovely.

we get ours from our local Christmas tree farm so I guess they last longer than some from the garden centers..
we put ours up the 2nd weekend in December and they have barely dropped any pine needles by the time we take it down on 12th night.
so nearly a month.

We do keep it in a big red bucket with gravel and water and the water is topped up every 3-4 days.

Decades, if you leave it in the ground.

My parents bought a really sorry looking one with roots when I was a sprog and 20-25 years later it is a lovely 40 tree in their garden.

We get ours already cut (I'm interested to learn about the gravel and water method) and it lasts about 3 weeks or so but we live in an old house and we usually have elderly visitors so the heating is on really high which doesn't help longetivity (for the tree I mean )

Nordmann trees don't drop their needles so I tend to buy those - but they don't smell as nice as some of the less-long-lasting alternatives.

Definitely worth getting a non-drop one, and NOT getting one from Homebase or similar. We get ours from the Forestry Commission place and it lasts really well (almost a month is fine)

Yes - look for one at a forestry place or similar so you know it is only recently cut. I have been watching lorry loads of cut Christmas trees driving down the A9 since end October!
Also - make sure you water it and keep the water topped up. Once it has dried out you can't rehydrate it.
When you buy it, cut off the botton couple of inches from the trunk as well as that helps it take up water.
We generally buy ours the 2nd weekend in December and it lasts through to 12th night.

Thanks everyone! I live on the edge of Forestry Commission land so will get in touch soon. x