How to Have a Living Christmas Tree

Member

By derbyka
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

Have a Living Christmas Tree

Every year, you feel a twinge of guilt as you haul the dried remains of your Christmas tree out to the curb. Somehow, contributing to the demise of such a magnificent living thing seems to drain the last of the Christmas spirit. More and more people are keeping the Christmas spirit alive, literally, by purchasing a living Christmas tree. These trees can be planted after the holiday is over, and they grow up to help clean our air and green our towns. While it takes some planning and extra leg work, having a living Christmas tree is quite feasible, even in an urban setting or apartment, and will make your joy this season extra special.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Decide whether you will plant the living Christmas tree in your yard or a family member's yard. If you don't have the space, contact local park departments, landscapers, property managers, developers, golf courses, schools, and churches. Many of these places will appreciate a free living tree but make sure you arrange with the place before you buy the tree. They will need input as to what kind of tree they would like and how much space they have. Do some research about trees before you talk to them, so you can make a mutual decision more quickly. See the article "How to Pick a Living Christmas Tree" for space and climate requirements of different species. Plan on having to deliver the tree yourself to the place even though some might agree to pick it up.
Step 2

Contact retail (if you're in the city) or wholesale (if you are in the country) nurseries a few weeks before you will want the tree. Ask if they carry conifers up to 7.5 feet tall (including roots) that are in burlap and bags or in containers with 16-20" diameter root balls. Ask to talk to the manager and negotiate with him or her on the price (this is normal). If necessary, pay a visit to pick the specific tree out. Again, see "How to Pick a Living Christmas Tree" for details on selecting a healthy one.
Step 3

Pick up your live Christmas tree about 2 weeks before you want to bring it inside the house. You will need two strong people and preferably a sedan with a trunk or a pick-up. A van or or hatchback will not work very well. Tie the trunk down with rope so that it doesn't bang open and closed.
Step 4

When moving and handling your living Christmas tree, be very careful not to carry it by the trunk or drop it on the root ball as these can cause it to weaken or die. To remove it from the car, try using a towel or mat as a sling. It is important to set up your living Christmas tree in a transition zone such as a garage where it can get used to the indoor climate for 10 days-2 weeks.
Step 5

As Christmas nears, bring your living Christmas tree indoors. It should only be inside for 7-10 days, so plan accordingly. Place a bath mat or other protective surface down in a cool area of the house (next to windows/below 65 degrees is best). Fill a tub with two inches of gravel. Then, place the burlap root ball on the gravel. It is important to keep the live Christmas tree moist at all times but not over watered. To keep an eye on the water level, stick a piece of pipe vertically in the tub next to the root ball. As long as you can still see water in the pipe, you don't need to water your live tree. Another trick to keep the tree constantly moist is to cover the top of the root ball with crushed ice that will melt slowly.
Step 6

Next, comes the fun part, decorating your living Christmas tree. For lights, only use a limited amount of tiny lights. Do not use big lights, tinsel, or flocking all of which might seriously damage the tree.
Step 7

When Christmas is over, you can plant your tree or deliver it to a prearranged place. If you live in a region that freezes in the winter, consider digging your hole earlier in the fall and filling it with leaves until later. Your hole should be at least twice (but five times is best) the size of the root ball. Remove container, synthetic burlap, the top of regular burlap, and.or the top of a wire cage and loosen the roots.
Step 8

Place the living Christmas tree in the hole and back fill packing small levels of soil at a time. Water the tree well to remove air pockets. The tree will not have to be fertilized until spring.
Step 9

Enjoy watching your living Christmas tree grow for years to come and enjoy having the Christmas spirit in July!