How to Green Your Christmas with a Living Tree

Why not make this Christmas a "green" Christmas, not only by having a beautiful, live Christmas tree, but by going a step further and buying a living, rooted, evergreen tree? A living Christmas tree will not only lessen the landfill burden of discarded trees but, planted in your yard or garden, will add beauty and value to your landscape, provide shelter for birds and other wildlife, and be a reminder of happy family holiday memories.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• living evergreen tree with burlap-covered root ball
• waterproof container large enough to accommodate the root ball
• prepared planting site (if you live in a climate where the ground will be frozen at the end of December)

1. 
    
   Choose your tree. (Photo: Keller&Keller)

   Choose your tree. Your local garden center will be the source for a healthy tree at just the right size for your home. Remember, a large tree with a burlapped root ball can be HEAVY. Plan ahead as to how you will get it into your house. Also, you must decide what type of evergreen tree you want to have growing in your yard/garden. There are many from which to choose.

2. 
    
   Condition your tree. (Photo: Keller&Keller)

   Condition your tree. It's a good idea to spray your tree with a natural antidesiccant (available at your garden center) since this will prevent moisture loss from the tree's needles. Before bringing your tree indoors it should spend a few days in an unheated garage or covered porch so that it can become acclimated to the warmer environment inside your home. At this time you can also place the tree in your chosen, waterproof container and thoroughly wet down the burlap surrounding the root ball. Your tree will not need as much water as a cut tree but should remain moist. After your tree has been conditioned for a few days you can bring it indoors and decorate it for your Christmas enjoyment.

3. 
    
   Plant your tree. (Photo: Keller&Keller)

   Plant your tree. Your living, "green", Christmas tree will not be able to last as long indoors as a cut live tree. If you keep it inside longer than ten days you may risk stressing the tree and lessening its chances of settling into its permanent home in your garden. It's best to have your planting site prepared beforehand by digging a hole about as deep as the size of the root ball and 2x as wide. Place the tree in the hole (do not try to remove the burlap), water the roots well then backfill with the soil you dug from the hole. Water the soil and then mulch with straw, shredded bark, leaves, etc. Your tree will be dormant until spring arrives when you should start noticing new growth on the needle tips. Once you have your living Christmas tree planted remember to keep it watered since it will take a season or so for it to become firmly established.

4. 
    
   (Photo: Keller&Keller)

   Having a living evergreen tree for Christmas is one way that you and your family can "go green" this year. It's a great lesson in saving and recyling for your children. Not only will they become more aware of ways to help save the environment but you will enrich their lives by showing them that you care about making a difference.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not place your tree near a heating source in your home as this will hasten drying out and will stress it.
• When decorating your tree use smaller wattage bulbs since bigger ones will be hotter and will also hasten drying out.
• Your tree will not need to be watered as often as a cut tree but do keep the burlap moistened.