Care For Living Christmas Trees
Living Christmas trees offer a beautiful and eco-friendly way to celebrate the holiday season. Unlike cut trees, these potted evergreens can be planted outdoors after the festivities, becoming a lasting reminder of cherished memories. However, caring for a living tree requires special attention to ensure it thrives both indoors during the holiday and outdoors afterward. Here’s a complete guide to help you enjoy and care for your living Christmas tree while setting it up for long-term success.
How Long Can a Living Christmas Tree Stay Indoors?
The key to a living Christmas tree’s survival is limiting its time in a heated home. Ideally, the tree should remain indoors for no more than 3–4 days, with 7 days being the absolute maximum. Prolonged exposure to indoor temperatures triggers growth activation in the tree, which can lead to significant stress or death when it is reintroduced to freezing outdoor conditions.
Caring for Your Living Christmas Tree Indoors
Proper care while the tree is inside is crucial for its survival:
- Daily Watering: Check and water the soil daily to prevent it from drying out.
- Humidity Control: Maintain as much humidity as possible in the room where the tree is displayed.
- Minimize Lights: Avoid using decorative lights on the tree, as they can dry out the foliage. If lights are necessary, limit their use to reduce stress on the tree.
Preparing for Outdoor Planting
If you plan to plant your living Christmas tree after the holidays, it’s best to prepare the planting site in advance:
- Dig a Planting Hole:
- Choose the location for the tree and dig a hole about 24 inches across and 15 inches deep.
- Store the removed soil in containers in a frost-free space like a garage.
- Fill the hole with straw or insulation to prevent it from freezing.
- Post-Holiday Planting Steps:
- Soak the soil in the pot thoroughly before planting.
- Remove the straw from the hole.
- Carefully peel away the top third of the fibre pot and cut three triangles from the sides of the pot to aid root growth.
- Place the tree in the hole at the same level as the surrounding soil, backfilling with the stored soil.
- Water the tree and surrounding area deeply.
- Consider adding a burlap windscreen around the tree for extra winter protection during its first year outdoors.
What If You Can’t Plant Right Away?
If the ground is frozen or the weather is unsuitable for planting, you can store the tree in an unheated garage until spring. Ensure the pot remains watered periodically to keep the roots hydrated. However, the sooner the tree is planted outdoors, the better its chances of thriving.
Guarantee
Living Christmas trees are not guaranteed due to the unique challenges of the season and the possibility of delayed planting. Proper care, both indoors and outdoors, increases the likelihood of success but does not eliminate the risks associated with winter planting.
A living Christmas tree brings both joy and responsibility, but with careful attention, it can become a cherished part of your landscape for years to come.
