I leave mine up until the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, as long as it has needles on it. Yes, it's an 11 foot tall, live Blue Spruce that we cut down out of our yard. I'm so busy the month of December that I don't get a chance to enjoy my decorations, so I leave them up as long as possible. And love every minute. Some people comment on it when they visit, but I don't care. It's my house and I'll have Christmas until Lent. Of course this year, Ash Wednesday is quite late, so I'm shooting for Valentines Day as the cut off date. :-)