Live pot-grown Christmas trees are becoming a popular choice for the festive season due to their sustainability, fresh look and scent, as well as long-lasting and relatively easy maintenance.
Undamaged root system ensures their good health, freshness and continuous growth. However, if potted Christmas trees are not properly taken care of, they can waste away and eventually die.
If your tree starts to show symptoms like losing needles or turning brown, you should take this as a sign that there is something wrong, and you need to act quickly to revive your plant.
As the holiday season approaches, many families look forward to decorating a beautiful, full Christmas tree. However, it can be disheartening when that lush green tree starts turning an unsightly brown. If you’ve noticed your Christmas tree going brown, don’t despair! There are several common reasons why this happens, and steps you can take to restore your tree to its original verdant glory.
What Causes a Christmas Tree to Turn Brown?
There are four main culprits that cause Christmas tree needles to dry out and brown
Underwatering
This is one of the most frequent reasons for Christmas trees turning brown. On average, a Christmas tree can drink a gallon of water per day. If you neglect to fill the tree stand regularly, the tree will become dehydrated. Check the stand daily and refill it as needed to keep the tree hydrated.
Overwatering
While underwatering causes browning, so does the opposite problem – overwatering. If the tree stand is overflowing or waterlogged, it can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases. The soil should be moist but not soaked.
Hot Temperatures
Christmas trees prefer cool temperatures. Placing them near heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or direct sunlight can rapidly dry out the needles and cause browning.
Damaged Roots
If the roots were damaged when the tree was cut down, it disrupts the tree’s ability to take in water through the roots. Newly potted trees are prone to root damage during the transplanting process.
How to Revive a Dying Christmas Tree
If you catch the browning early, it is possible to nurse a Christmas tree back to health. Here are some tips:
-
Move to a cooler spot away from heat sources. Place a humidifier nearby.
-
Check soil moisture and water appropriately Use a moisture meter for accuracy
-
Prune off any dead or dying branches.
-
Make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk to improve water absorption.
-
Spray the tree with an anti-transpirant like Wilt-Pruf to reduce moisture loss.
-
Add Christmas lights cautiously. Excess heat from lights can damage trees.
-
Consider taking the tree outside if browning persists indoors.
Preventing Christmas Trees From Drying Out
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to brown Christmas trees. Here are some tips for keeping your tree lush:
-
When buying a cut tree, make a fresh cut off the trunk and place in water right away.
-
For potted trees, choose one with roots that fill the container. Repot if needed.
-
Water potted trees thoroughly until water drains from the bottom.
-
Keep trees away from fireplaces, radiators, and heating vents.
-
Maintain indoor humidity around 50% if possible.
-
LED lights generate less heat than incandescents.
-
Spray the tree with an anti-transpirant.
-
Bring trees indoors only 1-2 weeks before displaying to limit indoor time.
-
Monitor soil moisture daily and water as needed.
-
Don’t allow the tree stand to run dry. Check and refill daily.
When to Replace Your Christmas Tree
If your Christmas tree is severely brown or dropping excessive needles, it may be time to replace it, especially if you tried the revival methods without success. It’s safest to replace trees that turn brown or show drying within the first 1-2 weeks, as they likely suffered root or watering damage right from the start. Look for a healthy new tree that is taking up plenty of water and shows no early signs of browning. With proper care and watering, your new Christmas tree should thrive for weeks during the holidays.
FAQs About Brown Christmas Trees
How can I tell if my tree is dead or still revivable?
It can be tough to determine whether browning is permanent or temporary. Signs your tree is beyond saving include brittle branches, excessive needle loss, foul odors, and lack of any new growth if it’s a potted tree. Trees that quickly brown within a week are often too far gone to revive.
What causes the bottom of the trunk to turn brown?
Brown needles are one thing, but a brown trunk base indicates a more serious issue like root or trunk rot. This is often caused by the tree standing in water that harbors bacteria and fungi. Prevent it by not allowing water to pool in the tree stand. Clean the stand regularly.
Should I remove the brown needles or leave them on the tree?
It’s best to gently remove any brown or dead needles to improve the tree’s appearance and allow it to focus energy on the remaining healthy branches. Just be careful not to damage any green needles still clinging to the branches.
Can I spray my tree with anything to prevent browning?
Yes, you can buy commercial anti-transpirant sprays that coat the needles and protect against moisture loss. Products like Wilt-Pruf or Cloud Cover are safe for Christmas trees. Spray a light coat before bringing the tree indoors.
Should I return a tree that is already turning brown when I buy it?
Absolutely. Any sign of premature browning on a new tree you just purchased indicates that the tree is stressed or damaged. Exchange it for a healthy tree that is taking up plenty of water and shows vibrant green needles.
No one wants to deal with a Christmas tree that is drying out before the holidays are over. By knowing what causes Christmas trees to turn brown and taking proactive care steps, you can troubleshoot problems as they arise. A little extra attention to watering and care will help ensure your evergreen remains emerald green all season long. With quick action, even troubled trees can often be revived and restored to their original verdant glory.
Why is my potted Christmas tree losing needles?
Evergreen trees are profound for holding their needles in place for quite some time, even if they have been cut. Generally, it is normal for some needles to fall. It means your potted tree is simply undergoing a seasonal needle change. However, if your Christmas tree is suffering a significant needle loss, it may be that your tree is dying.
Now, don’t panic yet. The chance that your Christmas tree is losing needles but can be saved is still out there.
A significant needle loss in potted Christmas trees can be caused by insufficient watering or dry air. Generally, an average room humidity is not enough for a Christmas tree; that’s why you shouldn’t keep your plant inside the house for longer than 12 days or close to a source of heat that will draw the moisture out from the air around the tree.
Moreover, needles can dry out and fall if the Christmas tree is dehydrated. Those trees require regular irrigation, so keep a check on the top few inches of the soil to ensure it’s not dry.You may also like:
Why is my potted Christmas tree turning brown?
Insufficient watering has proven to be the most common cause for a potted Christmas tree to turn brown. An average Christmas tree requires a gallon of water daily. During drier and warmer days, watering must be more frequent.
At the same time, you need to be careful to not over-water your Christmas tree because this can also cause yellowing or browning in needles. If there is a drainage problem and water is restrained in the soil, the roots will start to rot, resulting in a dead plant.
Browning can also be caused by dry air. If your tree receives all-day sunlight or is located near a heater, it can be left dehydrated by the dry air, thus turning brown. When you notice browning, move your Christmas tree to a different location within the room or take it outside.
It’s important to mention that if your Christmas tree is a containerised one and has been dug out of the grow to be placed in a pot, it is possible that the tree’s root system has been damaged, which can also cause browning.
Check our thorough guide if you want to know what to consider when growing a Christmas tree.