Overview
- A long-standing custom once set February 2, Mariä Lichtmess, as the day to remove the tree and nativity, a rule now known by few.
- A 2021 survey found 31% dispose of trees during the holidays, 12% right after New Year, 24% on January 6, and 31% after the end of January.
- The Archdiocese of Munich notes the Church now ends the Christmas season on the Sunday after Epiphany, which has steered many families toward January 6.
- The growers' association says timing reflects personal traditions and reports a trend toward keeping trees longer, with more trees already up during Advent.
- Real trees often shed and dry before February without careful maintenance, and many municipalities offer collection from late December into January requiring fully undecorated trees, with illegal dumping subject to fines.