Consider a Live Christmas Tree this Year!

More and more people are buying live Christmas trees for display inside, then planting the trees outdoors after the holiday. As evergreens, these live Christmas trees lend color to the winter landscape even if left natural.

A living Christmas tree is a live tree with its own roots still attached. The purpose is to have the tree for the holiday season then plant it outdoors. But it requires advance planning. Proper preparation and care of the tree are essential.

If you have ever done this, let us know. How did it work out for you? Any additional advice?

• In the fall, choose a suitable site in your landscape for the tree.
• Dig the planting hole in the fall before the ground freezes. Remove the soil and place it in an area where it will not freeze. Cover the hole and any remaining excavated soil with straw to prevent freezing.
• Select a balled and burlapped tree with a solid root ball. Keep in mind a smaller tree has a better chance of survival, is less expensive, and will be easier to handle.
• Keep the soil ball moist and store in a cool garage, porch or shed. Place straw or other insulating materials around the soil ball to prevent it from freezing.
• A few days before Christmas bring the balled and burlapped tree indoors, wrap the soil ball in plastic. Place the tree in a cool location; avoid sites near heat sources, such as a fireplace, registers, etc.
• The shorter the tree’s stay indoors, the better its chances of survival when planted outdoors. The maximum stay indoors should be 5 to 7 days. If the tree is kept indoors for a longer period, the buds may break dormancy, and dry indoor heat will cause needles to drop.
• Keep the soil ball moist throughout the tree’s stay indoors. Check the soil daily and water as needed.
• Shortly after Christmas, remove the tree from the house and place it in a cool location. (Don’t place the tree directly outdoors. The sharply colder temperatures outdoors may injure the tree.) A brief stay in a cool garage, shed, etc., allows the tree to become gradually acclimated to cooler temperatures. The soil ball should not be allowed to freeze during this period.
• On a relatively mild winter day, remove the straw from the planting area and plant the tree outdoors. Water well and mulch the area heavily to prevent the soil from freezing immediately.
• Continue to monitor the soil moisture for the rest of the growing season.

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