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If your Christmas tree is going downhill before the big day, it could be because the conditions in your home aren’t quite right for it to do well.
We talked to a lot of plant and gardening experts, and they all agreed that your tree might be having problems inside because it is either not getting enough water or the room temperature is too high. To figure out what’s wrong with the way you’re taking care of your Christmas tree, pay attention to what’s around it.
Check out these four main reasons why your Christmas tree might be dying inside, and then read on to learn what you can do to bring it back to life.
The sight of a once-vibrant green Christmas tree turning brown can put a damper on the holiday festivities. While it’s disheartening to see your decorative tree drying out, there are several tricks you can try to bring your Christmas tree back to its former glory.
In this article, we’ll explore the common causes behind Christmas trees turning brown and provide troubleshooting tips to diagnose the issue and revive your holiday tree.
What Causes a Christmas Tree to Turn Brown?
There are a few key reasons why your Christmas tree may be turning an unsightly brown
Underwatering
One of the most common causes of Christmas trees turning brown is simply not watering them enough Christmas trees are very thirsty and can drink up a gallon or more of water per day. When a tree doesn’t get adequate water, the needles will dry out and turn brown
Check the water level daily and make sure your tree stand is topped off. An underwatered tree will show brown, brittle needles that easily fall off with just a light touch.
Overwatering
While underwatering is more common, it is also possible to overwater your Christmas tree. If the tree stand is overflowing or you are watering too frequently, the roots can essentially drown. Overly saturated soil leads to root rot, causing the tree to be unable to uptake water and nutrients properly. This stress will cause the needles to brown and drop.
Check that excess water can drain away from the tree stand. The soil should be moist but not soggy.
Sun Exposure
Too much direct sun exposure can scorch and dry out the delicate needles of a Christmas tree and cause them to turn brown. This is especially true if the tree was growing in shade prior to being cut.
Place your tree in an indoor spot protected from direct sun. Near a window with filtered light or curtain is ideal. Rotate the tree periodically so all sides get even indirect light.
Dry Air
Heated and air conditioned indoor air can dry out Christmas trees very quickly. As moisture evaporates from the needles faster than the roots can uptake water, the tree will brown and drop needles.
Use a humidifier nearby to add moisture back to the air around the tree. Misting the tree periodically with room temperature water can also help replace lost moisture.
Drafts
Exposure to heating and AC vents, doors, and other drafts will accelerate moisture loss from the tree. The constant air circulation dries out the needles, causing them to brown.
Place the tree away from ventilation systems and drafts. Close doors and vents near the tree when possible.
Hot Lights
The heat generated from Christmas tree lights, particularly old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, can scorch needles that are too close. This causes browning, especially on the sides facing the light strands.
Use LED or low-heat lights and check for burn spots. Prune back branches in contact with hot lights.
How to Revive a Brown Christmas Tree
If your Christmas tree is already showing signs of browning, don’t give up hope yet! Here are some tricks to help bring it back from the brink:
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Water thoroughly. Give the tree a good, long drink by letting the stand fill and overflow. Slowly pour several gallons of lukewarm water into the stand to ensure saturated soil.
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Mist the branches. Use a spray bottle to mist the needles, branches, and trunk. The moisture will hydrate dried needles and wash away accumulated dust.
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Use tree restore products. Commercial tree restore products can help hydrate trees and potentially prolong their lifespan. Follow product instructions carefully.
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Move to a new location. Choose a spot protected from sunlight, drafts, and heat sources to help the tree retain moisture.
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Add a humidifier. Use a portable humidifier to raise the humidity around the tree. The moisture will slow water loss from the needles.
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Remove problem branches. Prune off severely dried, brown branches to improve the overall appearance and allow the tree to focus energy on the remaining healthy limbs.
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Try a deep watering spike. Hammer a deep watering spike into the soil beneath the tree stand so water can penetrate deeper into the root zone.
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Recut the trunk. If the base has dried and cracked, saw off an inch or two of trunk to expose fresh, moist wood for better water uptake.
With attentive care and some intervention, even distressed dried out trees may regain their holiday splendor. But if brown needles and brittleness persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to take the tree down and start fresh next year.
Troubleshooting Brown Christmas Tree Needles
When diagnosing a drying Christmas tree, take a systematic approach to pinpoint the underlying issue:
Inspect the Water Level
The first step is to check the water level in the tree stand. Is there plenty of water present? Or has it gone dry? Add more water as needed until the stand is full.
Feel the Soil
Put your fingers into the soil surrounding the trunk to gauge moisture. Is it bone dry, soggy, or evenly moist? Soil that is either too dry or waterlogged means improper watering.
Look for Needle Loss
Are green needles easily falling off with just a light touch? This point to them being dried out or dead already. Brittle browned needles will detach with the slightest disturbance.
Check Branch Flexibility
Try bending different branches on the tree. Healthy supple branches will flex while dried out brittle branches will snap. Listen for cracking sounds which signal dead limbs.
Look for Needle Damage
Inspect all sides of the tree up close for clues. Are needles browned, curled, or scorched on one side? This may indicate sunburn or excess heat from lights.
Note New Developments
Take note if browning and needle loss is rapid and spreading. This likely signals a serious underlying issue, like root rot from overwatering.
Assess Scent and Stickiness
Healthy pine trees have a strong scent when you run your hand along a branch, releasing oils. Needles are also sticky. If these are lacking, it’s a bad sign.
Preventing Christmas Trees From Drying Out
With careful selection, proper care, and ideal placement you can help ensure your Christmas tree stays moist and green throughout the holidays. Here are some proactive tips:
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Seek out fresh-cut, locally-grown trees from reputable lots. Ask when they were harvested.
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Look for pliable branches and needles with a strong pine scent. Bounce the tree on its trunk to shake out old needles.
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Make a new half-inch fresh cut off the trunk base and place into water within 6 hours of bringing the tree home.
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Select a sturdy tree stand with a water reservoir. Add water stabilizers and hydrating agents as directed.
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Place the tree away from heating and AC vents, fireplaces, radiators, and drafts.
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Position the tree in a shady spot out of direct sun. Rotate periodically for even indirect light exposure.
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Water the stand every day, checking with a moisture meter if uncertain. Top up as needed to maintain levels.
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Mist the branches with room temperature water a couple times a week or when humidity is very low.
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Prune branches as needed for tree shape and to remove any browned needles promptly.
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Monitor tree moisture daily and troubleshoot issues immediately to prevent rapid deterioration.
With vigilant watering, ideal placement, and attentive care you can keep your Christmas centerpiece vibrant and green throughout the entire holiday season. But if drying still occurs, don’t despair – take swift action with the revival methods suggested earlier to bring your Christmas tree back from the brink.
Your Christmas tree needs a drink, a lot, regularly (Image credit: Getty Images)
While it’s not hard to figure out how to keep a Christmas tree alive, they do need a little more care than most people think at first. More often than not a Christmas tree dies purely because it has not had enough water. It’s true—even trees without roots need water when brought inside, just like cut flowers. That’s why it’s important to know how much and how to water a Christmas tree. And, ignore advice to put sugar water on a Christmas tree to revive it.
Its important to give your Christmas tree water. Some people suggest using concoctions involving lemonade, but I dont think that really helps. Water is fine, but you will need plenty of it, explains Louise Findlay-Wilson. This isnt a one-off job to simply be done when you first set up your tree. Check every day. After all, trees are big and can drink a lot. You should give your tree at least half a liter of water every day. If your tree is big, it could need a lot more!
To be safe and make sure it doesn’t dry out, she says, she would always leave the tree standing in a few inches of water and add more if the level drops.
The stump should be cleaned up before putting the tree up and decorating it for Christmas, says Louise. This will help the tree last longer. It’s kind of like cutting the stems of flowers off at the base before putting them in a vase. Before putting the tree on its stand, cut off about two inches of the bottom. This will make it much easier for the tree to absorb that all-important water. For the same reason obviously dont stand your tree in sand or soil.
If you don’t mind the extra work and want to make your tree last longer, you might want to move it and its decorations and trim the base again before the big day. If you haven’t put yours up yet, a Christmas tree water reservoir like this one from Amazon is the best thing you can use as a base.
If your potted tree with roots is dying, it’s probably because it’s not getting enough water. But a Christmas tree can also die from getting too much water. The soil in the pot shouldn’t be soggy, but it should be moist. Use the finger dip test to see if the roots of your tree are sitting in water; if they are, try to drain some of the water out or wait to water until the top two inches of the soil feel dry again.
The humidity in your home is inconsistent (Image credit: Layered Lounge)
In the winter, when we turn on the heat and open the doors, the humidity inside our homes can change. As with any houseplant, this can cause needles to fall off or even kill a Christmas tree that is otherwise healthy.
Deemer Cass, horticulturalist and tree expert at Fantastic Gardeners* suggests limiting the time your tree spends indoors to keep it alive for longer.
“Do not keep a potted Christmas tree inside for more than 12 days at a time,” he says. “It can’t handle the warm temperatures inside.” Every 10 to 12 days, take your tree outside for 24 to 30 hours to give it a chance to recharge. Rooted trees should be moved outside for good after the holidays so they can continue to grow big and strong.
You might also want to buy a humidifier (or one of the best dehumidifiers if your home has too much moisture) to add some moisture back into a dry home. This can help keep the temperature inside at 45 to 50℉, which is great for both cut and whole Christmas trees.
Evergreens Turning Brown Inside: Don’t Panic!
FAQ
Why are my Christmas tree leaves turning brown?
Why is my Christmas tree dying so fast?
Why is my Christmas tree turning brown?
Make sure to check the soil regularly and water your tree when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. On the other hand, overwatering can also cause your potted Christmas tree to turn brown. If the soil is constantly wet or there is standing water in the saucer under your tree, it could be a sign that you are overwatering.
Why are my Christmas tree needles turning brown?
Lack of adequate hydration can cause the needles to turn brown quite quickly, a common issue experienced by many Christmas tree owners. When you first bring your Christmas tree home, it’s still very much alive and going through its natural life processes, even if it’s been chopped.
Can a potted Christmas tree get Brown?
The best way to prevent your potted Christmas tree from getting brown is to pick the right species, put it in a large enough pot, use quality soil, and keep it outdoors in the right temperatures as much as possible.
How do you know if a Christmas tree is dying?
One of the first things you might notice on a dying Christmas tree is browning needles. Check your tree’s needles for discoloration, as a healthy tree should have vivid green needles. If your tree’s needles are turning brown, this indicates that the tree is struggling to retain moisture and nutrients.
How do I know if my Christmas tree is green?
By watching for signs of browning needles, dry branches, and drooping or stunted growth, you can help ensure that your tree stays green and festive throughout the holiday season. Remember, the key is to provide your tree with regular water and keep it away from sources of heat. Follow my board on Pinterest.
Why is my Christmas tree suffering indoors?
We have spoken to a range of plant and gardening experts, all of whom agree that there is a range of reasons your tree may be suffering indoors: from too little water to too high a room temperature. The key to working out what is wrong with your Christmas tree care routine?