Few things evoke the magic and spirit of the holiday season quite like a fresh Christmas tree twinkling with lights and adorned with cherished ornaments. For many families, picking out the perfect Christmas tree together is an annual tradition. And if Home Depot is your go-to destination for holiday decor, you may be wondering – when does Home Depot start selling Christmas trees? What types of trees do they offer and how much do they cost? Consider this your comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about Home Depot Christmas trees.
When Home Depot Starts Selling Christmas Trees
While the holiday season seems to start earlier and earlier each year, rest assured that Home Depot won‘t put out its stock of Christmas trees until closer to Thanksgiving. According to a Home Depot spokesperson, both real and artificial Christmas trees typically arrive in stores and online by mid-November.
Specifically, most Home Depot locations will begin selling real trees the week before Thanksgiving, with Black Friday being one of the busiest Christmas tree shopping days of the year. However, the exact timing can vary by location based on regional climate and supply. Some stores in warmer states may receive trees a week earlier than stores in colder regions.
As for artificial trees, Home Depot starts stocking their holiday decor selection, including Christmas trees, around the same time in mid-November. "Our goal is always to have all our Christmas product on the shelves by the week before Thanksgiving so customers can enjoy a full month of holiday decorating and celebrating," said the spokesperson.
So if you‘re the type of person who likes to put up your tree early, plan on heading to Home Depot in mid to late November for the best selection. That said, if you wait until December, don‘t worry – Home Depot receives multiple shipments of trees throughout the season to restock their supply.
Types of Real and Artificial Trees at Home Depot
One of the biggest decisions you‘ll need to make when Christmas tree shopping is whether to go for a real tree or an artificial one. There are pros and cons to both, and ultimately it comes down to your personal preference.
If you opt to go the real route, Home Depot offers an impressive selection of high-quality cut Christmas trees in a variety of types and sizes. According to their website, the most popular types of live Christmas trees they sell include:
-
Fraser Fir: Known for its excellent needle retention, dark blue-green color and pleasant scent. Typically ranges from 5 to 10 feet tall.
-
Noble Fir: Features an ideal pyramid shape, strong branches that can hold heavy ornaments, and a nice aroma. Usually 5 to 8 feet.
-
Balsam Fir: Has dense, dark green needles and a strong evergreen scent. One of the more affordable options, from 5 to 8 feet tall.
-
Dunhill Fir: A newer hybrid variety that combines the Fraser and Noble firs. Ranges from 6 to 9 feet tall.
-
Concolor (White) Fir: Has long, blue-green needles with a silvery underside and a citrus aroma. Usually 5 to 9 feet tall.
In terms of artificial trees, Home Depot stocks a huge variety in different sizes, shapes, types and colors. Most are made from high-quality PVC or PE plastic to closely mimic the look and feel of a real tree. You can find traditional full-shaped artificial trees ranging from mini 2-foot tabletop trees up to giant 12-foot showstoppers.
Home Depot also sells slim or pencil-shaped trees that work well in small spaces, as well as more trendy upside-down trees and colorful options like all-white, silver or even hot pink trees. Pre-lit trees make decorating a breeze with lights already built in, while unlit trees allow you to customize the look with your own lights. Flocked trees have become increasingly popular in recent years, with their snow-kissed branches lending a frosted, wintry vibe.
Christmas Tree Price Ranges
So how much can you expect to spend on a Christmas tree at Home Depot? Prices can vary widely based on factors like tree size, type and whether it‘s real or artificial. Here‘s a general idea of the price ranges:
Real Trees:
- 5 to 6 foot trees: $30-$80
- 7 to 8 foot trees: $70-$130
- 9 to 10 foot trees: $120-$200+
Artificial Trees:
- Under 6 feet: $20-$200
- 6 to 6.5 feet: $60-$400
- 7 to 7.5 feet: $80-$600
- 8 to 9 feet: $150-$800
- 10 to 12 feet: $300-$1500+
As you can see, real trees are generally the more affordable option, unless you spring for one of the giant 10+ foot varieties. Artificial trees have a higher upfront cost, but can be reused for many years, so they may save you money in the long run. Home Depot often runs promotions on artificial trees around Black Friday and Cyber Monday as well.
Where Home Depot Sources Its Christmas Trees
Have you ever wondered where all those picture-perfect Christmas trees come from? According to Home Depot‘s website, they partner with tree farmers across the country to bring a wide variety of real Christmas trees to their stores each holiday season.
The majority of the live trees sold at Home Depot are grown in a few key states known for their production of Christmas trees: Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan and Washington. Oregon is the nation‘s leading producer of Christmas trees, with the Noble and Nordmann fir varieties being primarily grown there.
Fraser firs are mostly grown in North Carolina, the second largest Christmas tree producing state. Michigan is known for Scotch pine, blue spruce and white spruce trees, while Washington primarily grows noble, fraser and balsam firs.
Home Depot has long-standing relationships with family farms in these regions, some of whom have been supplying them with Christmas trees for 20+ years. The company says it works closely with growers to ensure trees are grown sustainably using best practices and are of the highest quality.
Artificial trees are largely manufactured overseas, primarily in China. However, Home Depot‘s website states they are moving toward sourcing more holiday products like artificial trees from domestic suppliers when possible.
Tips for Choosing the Best Christmas Tree
Whether you decide to go with a real or artificial tree this year, here are some expert tips for selecting the ideal Christmas tree at Home Depot:
For real trees:
- Measure your space before heading to the store and choose a tree that‘s the right height and width for the room. Keep in mind you‘ll need to account for your tree topper as well.
- Gently grasp a branch and pull your hand toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh.
- Look for a tree with a straight trunk and even branching on all sides. You may need to view it from a few angles to notice any bare spots.
- Make sure the bottom of the trunk is straight and at least 6 inches long to ensure it will fit into your tree stand.
- When you get the tree home, cut half an inch off the bottom of the trunk to help it absorb water. Water it daily and keep it away from heat sources.
For artificial trees:
- Choose a tree with a high tip count for a full, realistic look. The higher the tip count, the fuller the tree will appear.
- If possible, view display trees in person to get a sense for the size, shape, and overall look. Pictures online can sometimes be misleading.
- Consider the size of the tree base and make sure you have a big enough tree stand for larger trees. Some artificial trees come with stands included.
- If you‘re buying a pre-lit tree, check that there aren‘t any sections of burnt out lights and that all the bulbs are the same color tone (e.g. warm white vs cool white).
- Fluff and shape the branches once you get the tree home to fill in any gaps and give it a full appearance. This can be a time-consuming process but makes a big difference in the end result.
Other Interesting Facts About Home Depot Christmas Trees
Here are a few more fun facts and things to know about Christmas trees at Home Depot:
-
According to a company press release, Home Depot sold over 2.5 million real and artificial Christmas trees in 2021.
-
The Home Depot website has an entire section dedicated to Christmas trees, with detailed guides and information on tree types, care tips, decorating ideas and more.
-
During the peak holiday season, live Christmas trees are delivered to Home Depot stores several times per week, sometimes even daily, to ensure a continuous fresh supply.
-
All Home Depot real Christmas trees come with a freshness guarantee – if you aren‘t satisfied with the freshness of your tree, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.
-
In addition to Christmas trees, Home Depot sells an extensive collection of holiday greenery including wreaths, garlands, tabletop trees and potted trees.
So there you have it – the ultimate guide to Home Depot Christmas trees. Armed with this information, you‘re ready to head out and find the perfect tree to make your home merry and bright this holiday season. Whether you prefer the classic look and fresh scent of a real tree or the ease and reusability of an artificial one, you‘re sure to find your ideal Christmas centerpiece at Home Depot.
