The fragrant Balsam Fir is a popular choice for Christmas trees due to its symmetrical shape, soft needles, and wonderful pine scent. However, cut Balsam Fir trees only last for a limited time indoors before drying out. Knowing how long a Balsam Fir stays fresh can help you get the most out of your tree during the Christmas season.
This article will discuss the natural lifespan of a cut Balsam Fir and the factors that influence longevity. You’ll also learn tips for preparing, displaying, and maintaining your Balsam Fir to extend its life. We’ll cover signs that your tree is drying out and when to safely remove it.
Appearance and Characteristics of Balsam Fir
The balsam fir is a classic evergreen tree with a symmetric, pyramidal shape and a flat, spire-like crown. It features soft, flat, deep green needles with a hint of silvery blue on the underside. The needles have a wonderful, strong evergreen scent that gives the tree a lovely fragrance, especially when you first bring it into your home.
The needles are about 1 to 1.5 inches long and blunt-tipped. They arise singly from twigs in flat, outward sweeping rows, giving the balsam fir a distinct brushed, combed appearance. The twigs are flexible and covered with short, grayish hairs.
The bark of a balsam fir starts smooth and gray. As the tree matures, the bark develops irregular scales and deep ridges and takes on a gray-brown color. The bark of older trees may have some resin blisters.
The balsam fir is a beautifully shaped tree with soft, aromatic needles that make it the quintessential Christmas tree. Its classic conical form and lovely fragrance help create that magical holiday atmosphere.
Transport and Setup
Once you’ve selected and purchased your balsam fir Christmas tree, it’s time to get it home. Here are some tips for transporting and setting up your tree:
– Protect the tree during transport. Lay the tree down on its side and cover it with a tarp or blanket. This prevents wind damage to the branches during transit.
– Use the right vehicle. Make sure to transport the tree in a vehicle large enough to accommodate it lying down. An open truck bed or utility vehicle works well.
– Cut the trunk again. When you get home, cut 1-2 inches off the bottom of the trunk before putting the tree in water. This opens up the tree’s pores to absorb moisture.
– Set up quickly. Balsam firs doesn’t do well if left to dry out. Set up your stand and put the tree in water as soon as possible after transport.
– Fill the stand with water. The stand reservoir should be filled with fresh water daily. Consider adding floral preservatives to the water which can prolong freshness.
– Position carefully. Find a central, stable spot for your tree, away from heating vents or fireplaces. The location should make watering and admiring your tree easy.
– Straighten branches. Gently lift and shape any branches that were crushed during transport. Your balsam fir should look full and symmetrical when set up.
Taking proper care during transport and setup ensures your balsam fir Christmas tree lasts throughout the holiday season looking it’s freshest and most beautiful. With attentive watering and care, it will delight for weeks to come.
Average Lifespan of Cut Balsam Fir Christmas Tree
The typical lifespan of a cut Christmas tree like the Balsam Fir is 4-6 weeks. However, with the proper care and steps taken to preserve its moisture and minimize needle loss, the average fir tree can last between 6-8 weeks inside the home.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the average lifespan of a cut Christmas tree is 30 days or about 4 weeks when following standard post-harvest care procedures. Trees that are not watered and cared for properly may only last 2-3 weeks once inside and throughout the holiday season. Properly cared for trees in stands with water can last up to 5-6 weeks on average.
Some key factors that determine lifespan are the freshness of the tree when purchased, the timing of the harvest, and diligent daily care and watering once inside the home. Taking steps to maintain needle moisture content will ensure the longest usable lifespan.
With extra effort a healthy Balsam Fir could potentially last up to 8 weeks, allowing enjoyment from Thanksgiving through New Year. But the window of peak freshness is usually 4-6 weeks.
Tips For Extending Its Lifespan
With some extra care and attention, you can prolong the life of your balsam fir Christmas tree. Here are some tips to keep it alive longer:
– Stay on top of watering. Check the water level daily and replenish as needed. The tree stand should never be empty or allow the water to drop more than an inch or two below the trunk.
– Make a fresh cut off the base of the trunk about an inch up from the original cut before putting it in the stand. This opens up the vascular system to allow better water uptake.
– Keep the tree away from heating vents, fireplaces, and other heat sources which can cause it to dry out faster. Position in a cooler spot in the room.
– Mist the branches with water periodically to increase humidity around the balsam fir. The cooler air of winter can dry out branches.
– Consider using something to help retain moisture like floral preservatives, sugars, or aspirin added to the water. Consult a local nursery or extension office for recommended mixes.
– Ensure the tree is away from drafts and vents that will dry it out. Draw curtains at night to prevent cold window drafts.
– After Christmas, move the tree to an unheated garage or porch area during the day to prolong its life if desired. Bring back inside at night.
– LED Christmas lights generate less heat than incandescent and can reduce drying. Ensure all lights are turned off when unattended.
– Do not remove any lower branches or trim the trunk; this damages the tree. Leave it intact.
– When needles start dropping, discontinue the use of preservatives or treatments. Compost or recycle the tree promptly after the holidays.
Signs Your Tree is Drying Out
One of the first signs that your Christmas tree is drying out is when the needles start to brown and fall off. The needles will go from a vibrant green to a dull brown color. You’ll notice them dropping to the ground when you brush against or decorate the tree.
The branches will also become stiffer and more brittle as the tree dries out. Bending the branches will take more effort, and you’ll hear cracking noises as they become less flexible. The branches nearest the trunk tend to dry out first.
Excessive needle shedding is another giveaway that your tree is past its prime. When your tree is fresh, it might drop a few needles here and there. But if the needles start falling off in clumps, it means the tree is dehydrated and can no longer support all its foliage. The interior branches also tend to shed sooner than the outer ones.
Keep an eye out for these signs of needle browning, branch brittleness, and excessive shedding. They indicate your Christmas tree needs more water or has gotten too dry. Removing the tree promptly once it dries out can help prevent excess needle mess in your home.
Proper Disposal of Christmas Trees
After the holiday season comes to an end, it’s important to dispose of your Christmas tree properly. There are a few options for recycling old Christmas trees:
1) Curbside Pickup
Many municipalities offer special Christmas tree curbside collection during the first few weeks after the holidays. Trees are collected and ground up into mulch that can be used in gardens, parks, trails, etc. Check your local waste collection schedule for dates. Make sure to remove all decorations from the tree before putting it out for collection.
2) Drop-Off Locations
Some communities have designated drop-off locations where Christmas trees can be recycled. These are often located at transfer stations, parking lots, parks, etc. Drop off your bare tree during the specified days and times.
3) Use For Backyard Composting
If you have the space, you can compost your Christmas tree in your backyard. Use a chainsaw to cut up the tree into small pieces first. Mix the chopped tree pieces into your compost pile, covering them with brown matter like dried leaves. The needles provide green matter which is high in nitrogen. It may take upwards of a year for the tree pieces to fully compost.
4) Use as Firewood
Another option is to chop up the Christmas tree into firewood. This takes more time and effort but provides free wood to burn in a fireplace or wood stove. The sap-filled balsam fir wood will crackle nicely when burned. Make sure to let the wood dry out for at least 6 months before using.
Disposing of your old Christmas tree sustainably helps give it a new life and diverts waste from the landfill. With a little planning, you can make sure your tree is recycled properly after the holidays are over.
End Notes
The balsam fir is one of the most beloved and iconic Christmas tree species in North America. I hope this article helps you understand how to manage and prolong the lifespan of the balsam fir Christmas tree all through the festive period and its disposal after Christmas and new year celebrations.