closeup of norway fir tree

How to prune Christmas trees

Growing a conifer to use as a Christmas tree is a lot of fun, and careful pruning will help you to achieve a nice even, pyramid shape. Just remember not to cut back too far as it won't regrow from old wood. If you want to know how to prune a Christmas tree, here are some quick tips from our horticultural team.

Browse our full range of conifer plants to find the best festive variety.

When to prune a Christmas tree

Potted Christmas Tree 'Picea Perfecta' from Thompson & Morgan

Trim lightly at the end of summer if required
Image: Potted Christmas Tree 'Picea Perfecta' from Thompson & Morgan

Christmas trees respond surprisingly well if the growing tips are snipped back regularly in late summer or autumn. Some, like the potted Picea Perfecta (pictured above), maintain their compact size and perfect pyramid shape with very little assistance. 

How to prune your Christmas tree

Abies Normanniana from Thompson & Morgan

Nordmann Firs are a popular Christmas tree choice
Image: Abies Nordmanniana from Thompson & Morgan

To prune your Christmas tree, remove any upward growing stems that compete with the leader, and trim back any wayward shoots to maintain a nice even shape all round. Any dead or damaged shoots should also be removed. The most important thing to remember is that you should not prune back further than the current year’s growth as new growth will not emerge from old wood.

If you’re growing your tree in a container then it’s also important to keep it well fed and watered. If it’s becoming too large for its pot then you’ll need to repot it using John Innes No. 2 compost. Unfortunately Christmas trees are not particularly well suited to growing in pots long-term, and may start to struggle as they mature. If this is the case, plant your tree out in the garden and decorate with outdoor fairy lights to brighten up dark winter evenings. 

We hope you manage to keep your Christmas tree looking fantastic through the festive season. For more advice on growing and caring for conifers, visit our hub page - our dedicated resource that covers everything you need to know about planting conifers in your garden.

Sophie Essex

Written by: Sophie Essex, garden writer

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh. Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Banner image: Krasnikova Kat/ Shutterstock

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