How to Care for a Live Replantable Christmas Tree
Before you go out and buy a live replantable Christmas tree this year, find out what kinds of trees will be available at your local nursery. Make sure you have the right location, and amount of space needed for the type of tree you select. Look for a tree with springy needles that are not yellowing and a root ball that is firm and not flattened. Plan on having the tree inside your home for no more than five to seven days. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tub
- Gravel
- 12 inch PVC pipe
- 18 inch dowel with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter
- Waterproof marker
- Ice cubes
Instructions
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Carry your tree by the root ball, never by the trunk, and set it down gently in your garage or an unheated porch. Leave it there for several days to allow it to become accustomed to the warmer air. Keep the root ball damp by spreading ice cubes on top of it.
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Select a spot in your home that has good natural light and is protected from any sources of heat, including your television and other electronic equipment. Fill a tub with 2 to 3 inches of gravel and just enough water to allow the root ball to stay damp but not submerged. Insert the PVC pipe vertically in the tub, and record the level of the water by dipping the dowel into the pipe, and using the waterproof marker to mark the waterline on the dowel. Check the water level by inserting the dowel in the pipe periodically, and add water when necessary to maintain the correct level.
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Select decorations that are light in weight and lights that give off low amounts of heat such as tiny LED twinkling bulbs. Decorate the tree on Christmas Eve and remove the decorations soon after Christmas to eliminate any extra stress on the tree. Place it back in the garage or an unheated area for several days before planting it outside, to allow it to get used to the cooler air again.
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Plant your tree as soon as possible after Christmas. Line the hole you have prepared for it with mulch to protect the roots from the cold, and bury the root ball with the burlap covering intact. After filling in the dirt, place mulch and straw around the bottom of the tree trunk to further protect it and then water it thoroughly.
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Tips & Warnings
If you haven't a place to plant your tree, check with your local government offices to find out if there are any organizations that offer home-finding services for live Christmas trees.
Never drop the tree on its root ball as this will injure the roots.
Don't wait until springtime to plant your tree. If the ground freezes in the wintertime in your area, dig the hole for your tree several months ahead of time and fill it in with mulch.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
