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> Care of Living Christmas Trees

Using a live tree for your holiday decoration makes a lot of sense. You may use the same tree for a number of years as your holiday decoration if it is cared for in a sufficiently large container, and of course, you can plant the tree in your yard, or perhaps donate it to a park.

There are just a few important tips you will need to follow to succeed with a living Christmas tree.

MOVING THE TREE INDOORS

Living trees are accustomed to outdoor temperatures, light levels, humidity and moisture, thus, a living tree may be kept indoors somewhat less time than a cut tree. If the tree is kept in a brightly lit, cool place (up to 65°F), and is kept well watered, you may reasonably expect to keep your living tree in the house up to 12 days, However, warmer temperatures or lower light levels will shorten the desirable time indoors.

Before bringing the tree into the house, it will need about a week in a sheltered place such as a carport, breezeway or covered porch. While sheltered, you will want to wash the tree with a strong spray to remove old needles, dirt and natural debris. Using an anti-transpirant (such as “Wilt-Pruf”) at this time will greatly reduce the amount of moisture lost while inside, and thus reduce stress and the possibility of damage to your living tree as a result of being used as an indoor decoration.

PLACEMENT & CARE INDOORS

In the house, you will want to place your living tree in the brightest spot you have, as long as there are no heating vents nearby. Never situate your living tree near a fireplace, stove or heat registers.

If your living tree is in a container, place the pot inside a larger tub with no holes so you may water regularly. To protect flooring, place a large plastic sheet beneath the larger tub. If the tree is balled and wrapped in burlap, place the root ball directly into a large tub, and back fill around the tree with potting soil, bark chips, or sand to keep the tree solidly upright,

and to hold moisture for the roots. In either case, water daily while the tree is inside. An easy way to do this is to empty several trays of ice cubes over the top of the roots each day. They’ll melt slowly enough for the roots to soak up all the water without creating a puddle.

DECORATING THE TREE

When decorating a live tree it is best to use light strands with small bulbs, so the needles will not be burned. The ornaments should be kept light, not heavy enough to bend, or possibly break, the branches.

RETURNING THE TREE TO THE OUTDOORS

When the tree is returned outdoors, it should take at least two weeks to re-acclimate it. Move it to a sheltered spot outdoors where it will be out of direct sunlight. Water it regularly. You may want to prepare a planting hole or a place to heel it in for the spring and summer, if you plan to use the same tree in its pot next Christmas.

If you will follow these guidelines, you should have a healthy, living tree for many Christmases, and a vigorous healthy tree for your garden as well.