You just got your tree. It smells incredible. Now keep it that way.
A Fraser fir can stay beautiful for four to six weeks — longer than most people expect — if you treat it right from day one. Here’s everything you need to know, from the moment we deliver it to the moment you’re ready to say goodbye.
1. Make a Fresh Cut Before You Put It in Water
When we deliver your tree, it’s been off the farm for a while. The bottom of the trunk has likely sealed over with dried sap, which blocks water uptake. Before you put the tree in its stand, make a fresh straight cut across the base — about half an inch is enough. Do this right before it goes into water, not an hour before. The longer it sits out, the faster it re-seals.
2. Water Every Single Day
This is the single most important thing you can do. A freshly cut Christmas tree can drink up to a quart of water per day in the first week. Let the stand run dry and the trunk seals over again within hours. Once that happens, no amount of water will bring it back fully.
Use plain tap water — no additives, no aspirin, no sugar, no bleach. Research consistently shows that plain water keeps trees fresh just as well as any additive, and additives can actually harm the tree. Fill the stand every morning. If you have kids or pets, keep the water level high enough that they can’t reach the trunk.
3. Keep It Away From Heat Sources
Hot air dries a tree out fast. Keep your tree away from radiators, heating vents, fireplaces, and sunny windows. In a New York City apartment with cast-iron radiators cranking out heat, this really matters. The cooler the spot, the longer the tree stays fresh.
If your only option is a warm spot, you’ll need to water more frequently — sometimes twice a day in the first week. You can also keep a humidifier running nearby, which helps both the tree and your own comfort during the dry NYC winter.
4. Use LED Lights, Not Incandescent
Old-school incandescent lights generate a surprising amount of heat, which dries out the needles and branches around them. LED lights run cool and use a fraction of the energy. If you’re still using old lights, this is the year to switch — your tree will last longer and your electricity bill will thank you.
5. Don’t Turn the Lights Off Every Night
This sounds counterintuitive, but leaving LED lights on overnight doesn’t meaningfully stress the tree — and turning them on and off repeatedly throughout the day causes the tree to experience small heat cycles that add up. If you do turn them off at night, use a timer so they cycle on and off consistently rather than multiple times per day.
6. Check for Dryness Before It Becomes a Problem
Bend a needle between your fingers. A fresh needle is flexible and slightly waxy. A dry needle is brittle and snaps easily. If the needles are snapping off when you brush the branches, it’s time to think about removal. Another test: run your hand along a branch from trunk to tip. If you’re leaving a trail of needles on the floor, the tree is past its prime.
7. When to Remove Your Tree
Most people wait until after New Year’s, which is fine if the tree is still drinking water and holding its needles. January 6th (Epiphany) is the traditional end of the Christmas season. However, if the tree stops drinking water and the needles are dropping in quantity, don’t wait — a very dry tree is a fire hazard.
We offer tree removal in January — just reach out when you’re ready and we’ll come pick it up. No dragging it down the stairs yourself.
NYC-Specific Tips
Living in a Manhattan or Brooklyn apartment comes with a few extra considerations. Here’s what we’ve learned after delivering thousands of trees to NYC apartments over 16 seasons:
Walk-ups: Measure your stairwell before you order a large tree. We’ve hauled 9-footers up five flights, but we’ll tell you honestly if a tree won’t fit before delivery.
Radiators: NYC steam heat is brutal on Christmas trees. Position the tree on the opposite side of the room from your radiator if possible, and water twice a day during the first week.
Small spaces: A 5 or 6-foot tree in a small apartment often looks better and smells just as good as a 7-footer crammed into a corner. Fraser firs are dense and fragrant even at smaller sizes.
Pets: Cats are especially drawn to Christmas trees. Keep the water covered (cats drink from it and it can upset their stomachs) and secure the base well. Most ornaments should be on higher branches if you have a curious cat.
Why Fraser Firs Stay Fresh Longer
All of our trees are Fraser firs, which we chose specifically because they’re the best variety for indoor longevity. Their needles are waxier than other species, which means they retain moisture better. They hold their needles well even as they dry out, and they have excellent branch strength for heavier ornaments. They also smell incredible — that classic Christmas tree scent comes from the fir oil in the needles.
Our trees come from farms in North Carolina and Pennsylvania that we’ve worked with for years. They’re cut fresh and arrive on the stand fast, which is why you’ll find yours still drinking water well into January if you take care of it.
Ready for Your Tree?
Tree Riders NYC has been delivering Christmas trees by bicycle to East Village, West Village, Chelsea, SoHo, NoLita, the Lower East Side, Gramercy, Murray Hill, the Upper East Side, the Financial District, Greenwich Village, and Midtown for 16 seasons. Order online or come find us at 2nd Ave and 10th Street.