Remember size, style, and substance. Learn what each of these means on our Christmas Tree Selection page.

The most important thing is water — and lots of it. Visit our Christmas Tree Care page for watering tips, placement, and mini-tree care.

With proper care (fresh cut, plenty of water, away from heat), a Fraser fir typically lasts 4–6 weeks indoors. Sometimes much longer!

Mini-tree care differs slightly depending whether you are using them as an indoor Christmas tree or outside decoration. See our Mini Tree Care section on the Tree Care page.

Our farm is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Grassy Creek, North Carolina in the northwest corner of Ashe County, NC. Read more about our history on our About Our Farm page.

Learn how our Fraser firs go from tiny seedlings to beautifully shaped trees on our Farm-to-Home page.

Real trees are renewable, biodegradable, and support farming communities. Learn why we love real trees on our Real vs. Artificial page.

No. Artificial trees are not fireproof — overloaded outlets and damaged light cords are the primary cause of holiday fires. These risks affect artificial and real trees equally.

A 2004 study by the Farmington Hills Fire Department (Detroit metro area) found that a “flame-retardant” artificial tree did ignite and produced toxic smoke, including hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin.

No. Plain, fresh water is best. Additives, sugar, bleach, and aspirins do not improve freshness and may attract ants.

• Use a reservoir-style stand.

• Refill the water as soon as you set it up and check it daily.

• Make sure the water level never falls below the base of the trunk.

• The temperature of the water doesn’t matter.

A fresh tree can go 6–8 hours after cutting and still take up water — but longer than that can affect hydration.

This is normal, especially with very fresh trees. They may need 24–48 hours before drinking.

You’ll need a larger stand.
Avoid shaving the sides of the trunk — the bark and cambium layer are essential for water absorption.

A good rule of thumb: Your stand should hold 1 quart of water per inch of trunk diameter.

No. Split trunks are common in freshly harvested Fraser firs exposed to heat, sun, or wind during handling.
They do not affect freshness, water uptake, or fire safety. Just make a fresh cut at the base, place the tree in water, and it will drink normally.

A Christmas tree drinks water through the cambium layer — the thin ring of living tissue located just beneath the bark. This is where the xylem (water-conducting cells) are found. Because the cambium forms a full circle around the trunk, a vertical split usually affects only a small section of that circle.
So even if the trunk is split: Most of the cambium layer remains intact, the water-conducting pathways stay open, and the tree can still take up water normally once a fresh cut is made at the base.

If you have concerns, feel free to contact us at customerservice@hart-t-trees.com.

Brown needles on the interior and lower branches are normal. They die off naturally as the tree grows and don’t indicate a problem. Give the tree a good shake outdoors before bringing it inside to remove loose, dead needles. If the outer branches are green, flexible, and fragrant — your tree is healthy.

Some species, like the Fraser fir, have better needle retention. Others are better if purchased closer to Christmas. Freshness also depends on handling — how long the tree sat in the field, on the lot, or in transport.

Fraser firs need 3–4 days below 40°F to fully enter dormancy. Trees cut while dormant hold needles longer.
Warm weather at harvest can shorten their lifespan — they’ll still last the season, but maybe not until Valentine’s Day.

Don’t panic — this is rare and harmless.

Christmas trees are grown in a near-natural environment, and sometimes tiny “hitchhikers” come along, such as:

• Cinara aphids

• Spider mites

• Praying mantid egg cases

These do not bite, cause disease, or infest your home. They’re simply a nuisance — much like bringing a patio plant indoors.

What to do:

DO:

• Shake the tree before bringing it inside

• Rinse with a garden hose outdoors

• Vacuum pests using a hose attachment

• Use insecticidal soap if needed

• Return the tree if the issue continues

DON’T:

• Crush insects on carpet or furniture (they stain)

• Worry about ornaments — pests won’t stay on them

Call the location you purchased a tree from. They will likely give you a refund.

We are happy to help, but you should first contact the location you purchased your tree from. If you purchased directly from us, contact us at customerservice@hart-t-trees.com or call (336) 384-9603.