With Christmas celebrations now behind us, the question of when to take down the tree emerges. Three specialists, including David Sumner from Christmas Tree World, have shared their insights on this matter.
Whilst there’s no hard and fast rule for dismantling festive decorations, tradition suggests that following specific dates might ward off ‘bad luck’. Sumner explained: “For some, Christmas decorations bring endless cheer and they almost can’t bear to part with them once the holiday season ends. Others may be eager to pack away the tinsel and baubles as soon as the festivities conclude, desperate to reclaim their normal living space.
“Tradition recommends the Twelfth Night as the exact date to get the boxes down from the loft and pack away your tree and other decorations.
“Twelfth Night commemorates the eve of the arrival of the Three Wise Men and the end of the Christmas festivities.”
The Twelfth Night, alternatively called Three Kings’ Day, occurs on the evening of January 5, 2025.
It generally arrives approximately 12 days after December 25, though it isn’t recognised as a bank holiday.
Sumner added: “Rushing to take your decorations down before (or after) the traditional festive season can be considered bad luck, so… 5th [of] January is a great date to choose.”
Nevertheless, Loren Taylor, horticultural specialist and proprietor of Outdoor Fountain Pros, warned that it’s sensible to verify local recycling schemes before choosing to maintain a tree for a prolonged duration. Council-led Christmas tree disposal schemes typically operate from the end of December to mid-January.
Delaying could leave you with the task of figuring out how to dispose of your tree independently. “Many places also won’t accept trees that are too dry, because they’re harder to process,” she warned, adding: “A dried-out Christmas tree is a major fire hazard.
“The drier it gets, the more flammable it becomes, and it can go up in flames incredibly fast. If you’re still running lights on a brittle tree, even a small spark or overheated bulb can be enough to ignite it. It’s a risk that’s easy to avoid by taking the tree down before it dries out too much.”
For those with artificial trees, disposal isn’t an issue. Mac Harman, CEO of luxury Christmas brand Balsam Hill, shared some tips for storing these trees properly to ensure their longevity.
“You need to compress the foliage of each branch in each section and then flip upside down, squeezing the branches into the main trunk,” he advised. “A top tip here is, once flipped, tie up each section using a ribbon so that all the branches are held down together, preventing them from falling open when moving the tree.”
He also suggested using a large bag to safeguard your tree while in storage. He added: “Your bag needs to be large enough to comfortably hold your tree and made from durable material so that it can’t be torn by protruding branches. Rip-stop nylon is a great option for this.
“Store your tree in a cool, dry location as this helps to protect it from moisture and musty odour.”
