How Long Does a Pine Tree Live After You Cut It?

Without Care

• When a pine tree is cut down, even if it is not looked after it will continue to look fresh for weeks after it has been cut. Typically, you could expect a tree to stay fresh for at least two weeks, and as many as three or four after it has been cut even without special care.

Care

• If you care for a pine tree after it has been cut down, you can extend its life significantly. When studying Christmas trees, the Ohio State University Extension service found that most trees lasted through Christmas without difficulty. This means that getting four weeks of life out of the tree should be easy with proper care. Some varieties will last longer and could last six or more weeks.

Prolonging Life

• If you want to preserve a pine tree after its been cut, such as for a Christmas tree, then you need to cut the trunk just before you put it in water. Cut the trunk off so that it is flat on the bottom. This makes entirely new wood exposed to the water, enabling the tree to drink more effectively. Water the tree regularly, ensuring that the tree-holder never goes dry.

Breeds

• When choosing a Christmas tree, consider the variety to end up with one that lives longer. For instance, Austrian pines last longer and hold their needles longer than other types of trees. The Ponderosa pine is another good option in the pine family. White pines should also almost always live long enough to provide you with a healthy Christmas tree throughout the season.