GOOD GROWING: Help! What’s wrong with my Christmas tree?

By Editor | December 30, 2025 |

By Chris Enroth, University of Illinois Extension,
Horticulture Educator
Maybe this is your first year with a farm-raised cut Christmas tree. Or perhaps you’ve used them for years, but something seems off. Drooping branches, fallen ornaments, and even a few bugs can make you wonder if a fake tree is the better option. Before you switch, let’s look at common issues with cut trees and how to handle them.
Needles everywhere!
If it is unsafe to walk around your Christmas tree in socks or bare feet due to the risk of your toes being impaled by evergreen needles, the longevity of your tree stands on shaky ground. First thing to know is that needled evergreens can accumulate dead needles in the interior of the tree as it grows. That’s why it is always a good idea to mechanically shake the tree at the farm before bringing it home.
While we may sometimes call this a live Christmas tree, once we cut it down on the tree farm, it is dead. Needles will begin to fall off the tree as the upper part of the tree starts to lose access to water. To slow down needle loss, we need to keep the tree hydrated while it stands decorated in the house. Once a tree is cut, the tissue at the cut begins to seal off, which prevents the uptake of water. Here’s a process to keep the water flowing for your cut tree:
1. Prepare the space that will display your tree and tree stand.
2. Trim lower branches so the trunk fits properly in the tree stand.
3. Make a fresh cut at the base.
4. Quickly place the tree in the stand and add water.
5. Keep the stand full of water. If it dries out, the trunk seals and stops absorbing water.
Drooping Branches and Fallen Ornaments
Different species of needled evergreens will vary in how well their branches hold up to heavy ornaments.
■ White Pine: Soft needles with flexible branches. Best to avoid heavy ornaments.
■ Firs (Balsam, Fraser, Concolor): Sturdy branches and soft needles, which are great for ornaments.
■ Douglas Fir: Popular and affordable, but only supports lightweight ornaments.
■ Colorado Blue Spruce: Strong branches for heavy ornaments, but sharp needles. Protect your cuticles!
Scotch Pine: Classic choice with strong branches.
Missing That Piney Scent?
Not all trees smell “Christmasy.” Some barely have an aroma, while others pack a punch:
Firs: Best scent; Balsam fir is the strongest.
■ Douglas Fir: Pleasant but mild.
■ Scotch Pine & Blue Spruce: Very slight aroma.
■ White Pine: Almost no scent, making it ideal for allergy sufferers.
■ Bugs on the tree?
Depending on the insect, I personally don’t consider this to be a problem. Are praying mantises battling each other to the death on your festive tree? That’s fantastic! Enjoy the gladiatorial display. Is the Elf on the Shelf covered in spider webs? Spiders are our friends and allies.
Trees are meant to support life, and bringing one into the house might bring a few unintended guests. Rest assured, our homes in winter are harsh for insects, and most will die naturally after being unexpectedly awakened from their winter sleep. And if your fear of insects stops you from buying a Christmas tree, just know that I have had cut trees all my life and have never been lucky enough to experience an insect outbreak during the holidays.
The many different species of trees that are grown to be cut and decorate our homes for the holidays have their own characteristics. Some are good for heavy ornaments, others will fill a room with a holiday scent. Some species will retain their needles for over a month, while others will only hold them for a couple of weeks. And of course, there is the chance encounter with a few harmless bugs.
Good Growing Tip of the Week: Drilling holes or whittling the bottom of the trunk to a point will not help with water uptake.
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