How to Care for a Living Christmas Tree

A living Christmas tree needs a little extra care, but it's worth it to ensure that it will be around for celebrations to come.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray Bottles
• Living Christmas Trees
• Watering Cans

1. Leave the tree outside or in a cold garage until you're ready to decorate it - keeping in mind that a pine tree can stay inside only for about ten days.

2. Clean your tree before you bring it inside - brush off dead needles and spider webs and wipe off dust.

3. Place the tree in its pot on an impermeable shield - a plastic saucer like those you use for houseplants works well - to protect your floor, carpet, or table top.

4. Position the tree so that it's not over a heating vent. If it absolutely has to be over a vent, close the vent for the duration of the tree's stay inside. Don't put it right up against a window where it's going to get direct hot sun, or right in front of a fireplace or woodstove that's in use.

5. Check the soil daily for dryness - it should stay damp but not wet, and it will need more water inside than it needs outside.

6. Unplug the lights at night and whenever you leave the house.

7. Try not to overheat the tree's room.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can do it without ruining your ornaments, misting the tree every few days will help it out.
• No matter what kind of care you take, any tree will dry out eventually and begin to drop its needles. If your tree looks very unhappy, put it back outside.

[jeremykent]

on 10/5/2009 I take an inch off the base of the tree and soak it overnight in a bucket of water. www.delivermeachrisrtmastree.com

on 11/22/2005 I put a living Christmas tree out on our deck in early December every year. I add 1000 lights, wreaths made out of popcorn, cranberry wreaths, small suet seed balls, and pinecones dip in melted suet and seeds. The little wild birds bring the tree to life.

on 11/22/2005 Spray your tree with an anti-desiccant to help it retain water in the needles. A product like Wilt-Pruf will stop the needles from losing moisture through transpiration. Apply according to the label. Also makes cut trees and greens last longer.