How to Care for a Live Christmas Tree

Instead of buying a cut Christmas Tree, consider buying a potted Christmas Tree that you can plant after the season is over. Here are some tips on how to take care of your live Christmas Tree.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Live Christmas Tree

1. 

   Make sure you are purchasing a type that will survive in your zone. There are many different variations, so you may want to do your research first before you go to pick one out.

2. Leave your tree outside as long as possible before you bring in inside to decorate it. While it is outside make sure you keep it moist and out of direct sunlight.

3. Do not set the tree near a heat source such as a fireplace or heater vent and set the pot inside a larger container so that you continue to water it and the water doesn't drain onto your floor.

4. After Christmas Day, put your tree back outside. It will need time to acclimate before you plant it. Put it back in a place where it will be out of direct sunlight and keep the pot moist.

5. Predig your hole. If the soil is frozen it may take you a few days to get the hole dug. The hole should be larger than the pot size. Measure the pot height so you know how far to dig down. No need to add any fertilizer or amendments to the soil, just use the same soil you dug out of the hole.

6. 
   Fir Tree

   Water your tree and keep an eye on it. If you do not get a lot of rain, you will want to regularly water your tree to help the roots grow, until the tree establishes itself, and you can enjoy it for years to come.

[Sounique]

on 12/7/2008 Great advice! I love real Christmas trees!