Hey, George! Watch out for that tree!
Christmas trees are found in most homes during the holiday season.
Live cut tree species include white and Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Fraser and balsam fir, or Colorado blue spruce that are grown on tree farms, harvested and sold at retail establishments and nursery centers.
Live cut trees are cut, sold, and after being enjoyed for the holiday, are disposed of. However, a living Christmas tree, one that has been dug from the ground with intact roots (balled and burlapped, or in a container), is an option for people who wish to use an evergreen tree in their landscape. Once the holiday festivities have concluded, the living tree is planted outdoors in its pre-dug location for year-round enjoyment.
Purchasing and planting a living tree requires advance planning and preparation.
Decide in advance if a live tree is the best option for your family and landscape. Do you have a location in your landscape for an evergreen tree that potentially will grow to 50 feet in height and 20 feet in width? Do you have a room in your home to display and decorate a tree that will require a large container to hold the root ball? Once you have decided that you can use the tree in your landscape and home, begin your preparations.
Site the exact location where the tree will be planted after the holiday; take into consideration the space required for a mature evergreen tree. Assure that the tree will grow in an area free from electrical lines, buildings, or other trees. Visit a reputable nursery and assure that the tree is healthy.
Look for a moist soil ball that is well-secured with burlap and twine, or in a container appropriate to the size of the tree and root ball. Trees with frozen soil in a ball or container are more likely to die over the winter than those in unfrozen soil.
Inspect the tree for a straight trunk, symmetrical shape, and intact needles. Next, choose a tree whose height and width will fit into your home. Balled evergreen trees smaller in height and width than cut trees have a greater chance of surviving the winter compared to larger trees.
Additionally, a smaller tree will be easier to carry into your home, as the root ball will be heavy. Once you purchase the tree, keep your tree in an unheated garage, allowing it to acclimate for a few days before bringing it indoors to decorate.
Dig the hole before the ground begins to freeze, estimating that the hole should be wide and deep enough to accommodate the root ball and encourage spring root growth. Place the soil on a tarp or sheet of cardboard and store the soil in a location where it will not freeze, such as an outdoor shed or garage.
Fill the hole with straw, mulch, or loose leaves and cover the hole with planks of wood or fence in the area to prevent unintentional falls into the hole. Continue layering the straw, mulch, or loose leaves to 4 inches in depth several feet in diameter around the hole. which prevents the soil from freezing.
Bringing a bottom-heavy Christmas tree from your garage into your home may be a challenge, requiring two people and a dolly.
Secure the root ball in a water-proof container (preferably one with two handles) large enough to secure the root ball, which may shift when watered and kept in a warm home environment.
Place a carpet or plastic sheet underneath the container to avoid damaging the floor or carpets. Position the tree away from heat sources and drafts. Keep the root ball moist. Decorate your living tree with holiday or naturally-sourced décor.
Living Christmas trees should be kept indoors for about one to two weeks, otherwise the tree may struggle to acclimate to the outdoor environment. Remove the holiday decorations and return the tree to the garage. When outdoor temperatures are in the 30-degree range, plant the tree.
Remove the mulch from the hole and the burlap or container from the root ball. Measure the depth of the hole to determine if more soil needs to be removed to keep the top of the root ball at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Place the tree in the hole and back fill with the saved soil, then cover the area with 4 to 6 inches of mulch out to several feet beyond the hole. Water the tree thoroughly; there is no need to fertilize, as the tree is dormant.
In the spring, water the tree as soon as temperatures begin to warm and the ground thaws. Adequate soil moisture levels during the first growing season are crucial to the tree’s survival. Fertilize if desired.
Alternatively, you can hold your tree in an unheated garage, shed or other protected area and then plant it in the spring. Make sure to periodically check the moisture levels, and water the tree as needed.
You now have a beautiful addition to your landscape, a sustainable enhancement to your property and a place for food and shelter for birds and wildlife for many years to come.
To learn more about Christmas trees and their production, visit Penn State Extension at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/pike/news/2015/choosing_a_real_christmas_tree. If you have questions about living Christmas trees and other gardening practices, call the Master Gardeners of Butler County Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Mary Alice Koeneke is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County.
