5 Ways to Revive a Dying Christmas Tree – 'All It Needs is a Little Bit of TLC,' Say Experts

When a Christmas tree drops pine needles or if its needles are turning brown, brittle, and dry, it's time to get to action. They require a certain amount of maintenance, care, and attention, and need to be treated like fresh-cut flowers. Watering and even choosing the right pot for them are essential to keep them healthy and alive.

If your Christmas tree is on the verge of dying, you don't need to go out and purchase a new one yet. Experts offer ideas and ways in which it can be revived back to its former glory.

1. Give it water

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The first and most essential tip for caring for Christmas trees is to simply water it more. Always keep the water level 2 to 3 inches above the cut end of the trunk.

'Many people don’t realize that just like cut flowers, your cut tree needs to stay topped up with water,' says Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, founder of FLOWERBX. 'If you notice your tree is drooping and dropping needles in the lead-up to the big day, it probably means it needs rehydrating. Ideally, you should be topping up water in your tree base on a daily basis, depending on your tree’s size.'

2. Prune the tree

'A Christmas Tree is usually placed at the heart of a home throughout December which is why it’s important to keep on top of its health to ensure it survives the entire advent,' says Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express. 'Real Christmas trees are generally easy to take care of but there can be instances where the color starts to fade and branches snap off if they’re not being looked after properly. To bring it back to life, first consider pruning the tree. This can be done by removing any dead branches to encourage healthy growth. Use pruning scissors and protective gloves to prevent any nasty scratches.'

This will also reduce the number of branches that need water, and keep the needles looking good. A well-manicured tree will add to the Christmas living room decor ideas, and give the whole space a more curated, sophisticated look.

3. Cut the bottom of the trunk

Wondering how long do real Christmas trees last? The answer is down to the type of tree are you looking to buy, how much light, water and nutrients are you giving it and if you're maintaining it properly.

One thing to take note of is that if the tree has been without water for more than 6 to 8 hours, the bottom of the trunk may have started to seal over with sap. This will keep the tree from being able to absorb water and will start drying up.

'That’s why it’s important to cut the bottom of the trunk when you first buy a real tree as this will help to remove sap which has grown over to allow for greater water consumption,' says Chris.

4. Find it a new home

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Have you got your Christmas tree in the wrong place? A whole host of mistakes can ruin the look and health of the tree, the biggest being location.

'Location really is everything,' says Whitney. 'Your tree may be lackluster due to it being placed in the wrong spot entirely – whether that’s next to a heat source or radiator, or too close to a drafty doorway. The heat from traditional incandescent string lights can also impact your tree, so switching to an LED alternative is a good idea (and saves energy, too). Of course, if possible, it is always best to suss out the perfect spot for your tree before you decorate it, to avoid any broken ornaments.'

5. Increase the humidity in the room

And finally, in addition to watering the tree often and lowering the temperature of the room, adding extra humidity to the air can help to keep your tree from drying out.

'While many want to use dehumidifiers to deal with window condensation, having them on in the same room as the tree is not advised,' says Chris. 'Christmas trees benefit from a room with higher humidity so the stem doesn’t become dry as it can damage the entire tree.'

'You could mist your tree’s pine needles regularly, much like you would a houseplant,' says Whitney. 'This keeps your tree cool and increases humidity.'

All these tips should ideally help you bring the tree back to its health in about a week. And remember, after the festivities are over, you can always take the Christmas tree recycling route. So instead of taking it to the local tree graveyard or sticking it beside the bin, you can use different parts of it to add to your home's decor.

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