When Do Ash Trees Get Leaves

Taking down a Christmas tree after the holidays might feel a scrap like unpacking from a cyclone vacation. Information technology'south been fun and you've created some wonderful memories, merely at present you accept a ton of laundry to exercise — or rather, a ton of ornaments to have down and perhaps fifty-fifty a dying fir tree to bargain with.

If you've got an artificial tree, that will certainly buy you more than time past December 25. But it all the same begs the question: When should you take downward your Christmas tree?

The answer is nonetheless up for contend. Christian tradition says i thing, simply Christmas tree farmers and pest control experts say another. Nosotros've laid out all the options below.

Keep in mind that there'south no right or wrong answer here. The statistics speak for themselves: The Domicile Decor Study from Opendoor found that 51% of their respondents have decorations down right effectually New year'south Day, though 84% expect until later in January.

Now, let'south take a await at some of the near common times people take down their trees. Annotation: Information technology'due south not automatic grounds for being on Santa's naughty listing if your Christmas tree lingers for longer!

New Year's Day

Lots of people love ending the year with a brightly lit tree, but it seems like many have taking down their tree high atop their list of New Yr's resolutions.

"Jan 1st is that clear marking of time that the holidays are over and a new get-go is here," Ariana Lovato, possessor and principal designer at Honeycomb Home Design, told TODAY. "Fourth dimension to clean up the dwelling, clear up the clutter and take a breath from the stress of the holidays."

January half dozen

"Many people will take down their artificial Christmas tree, wreath or holiday decor during the week following New year's Twenty-four hour period so every bit to start the yr anew or look until January 6 every bit the final twenty-four hour period to remove all holiday decor," Lewis Puleo, vice president at Puleo International, the oldest artificial tree visitor in the country, told TODAY.

January vi is known as the Epiphany, Piffling Christmas or Three Kings 24-hour interval. From the perspective of religion tradition, it is the twenty-four hours that the Magi (the Three Kings or the Wise Men) brought gifts to the baby Jesus, and so it makes sense for many to marking this as the last day for the Christmas season.

And as the vocal goes, there are indeed 12 days of Christmas, with the terminal being Jan 6.

Whatever time in January

According to the 2020 "Undeck the Halls" report by Neighbor, more than half of Americans won't frown upon keeping decorations upwardly past January 1. You might start to go the side-eye from your neighbors at a certain point, though: 31% said decorations should come down past January 15, while 33% extended the deadline to February one.

Domestic living room decorated with Christmas fir tree and holiday decor — It'southward upwards to yous whether yous follow tradition or non. Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images

When your tree says information technology's time

"Growing upwardly on a Christmas tree farm in the South, we've heard so many different perspectives on when the ideal fourth dimension to take downward the tree is,"Kaitlin Carpenter, a second-generation Christmas tree farmer in Ashe County, NC, and owner of 3rd 24-hour interval Market, told TODAY. "The undressing of the Christmas tree has become more than and more of a personal, highly opinionated topic, where no 1 is incorrect and yet, no 1 is right."

That said, if you take a real Christmas tree in your midst, it's really up to the fir itself to determine when information technology comes down. And unfortunately, information technology might be sooner rather than later.

If your tree is exhibiting any of the post-obit signs, Carpenter says it might be time to accept downwards your tree, no matter the date:

The needles are falling, either on their own or with the touch of your hand
The limbs are stiff or droopy
It smells musty rather than like citrus or pine
The tree doesn't seem to be taking in much or whatsoever water

A dehydrated tree tin exist dangerous in your home, specially if accept lit candles nearby. In fact, a holiday safety report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that fires resulting from dry Christmas trees and holiday candles causes most $56 million in property loss each year.

Aside from that inherent danger, a real Christmas tree might besides, unfortunately, invite other natural things to spend Christmas with y'all.

"Homeowners should inspect and shake Christmas copse, wreaths and other live greenery thoroughly before bringing into the house," Scot Hodges, pest expert and A.C.E. Certified entomologist at Arrow Exterminators, told TODAY. "Store all vacation decorations in plastic, airtight containers and when retrieving from the cranium or basement, inspect them outdoors before bringing inside."

Hodges recommends that you besides seal up any holes or cracks around your foundation, put a screen over vents and chimneys, and close upwardly any openings almost exterior doors and windows to continue unwanted visitors. If at that place'south whatsoever sign of pests or rodents, information technology's time to remove the tree and contact a pest professional.

Don't let whatsoever of this sway you lot from having a real tree, though. "With proper care, you could easily enjoy your tree from Thanksgiving through the New Twelvemonth or Epiphany, because who doesn't want to make the holidays terminal simply a picayune scrap longer," Carpenter added.

But really, take it down anytime you desire

Provided you accept an artificial tree — or perchance you simply have a green thumb — you lot tin leave your tree up for every bit long equally you want. Information technology's your house, your rules. What's more, the aforementioned Neighbor study institute that nine% of respondents wouldn't mind if you lot kept your decorations upward all year.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to prolong the festivities. But there might be something else to keeping your holiday decor up well past the flavor.

"The tree tin exist thought of as a transitional object/security coating," Bister Dunford, a design psychologist and the way managing director for Overstock, said. "It's a symbol of comfort for usa, so it makes sense that people desire to carry information technology with them throughout all seasons considering Christmas tin can exist such a magical fourth dimension."

Whatever your Christmas decoration timeline is in your home, it'southward of import to accept a step back, have a deep breath, and savor the fruits of your labor. It is the most wonderful time of the yr, subsequently all!