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How To Pick (and take care of) A Live Christmas Tree |
30 Comments |
| By Chris Welch in Green Living | November 28, 2006 | ||
When selecting a tree “go live”. When the holidays are over it can be habitat for small mammals and birds. They provide shelter and beauty not to mention clean air. It is a green choice for sure.
There are a few important considerations when dealing with a live tree.A live tree comes with roots and therefore is heaver than a cut tree, obvious huh? Well don’t let a little extra weight get in your way. I use a wooden furniture dolly to wheel our tree around. Your local nursery will bring in live trees and often take the balled & burlapped trees and pot them up for easier handling. Some nurseries will just grow the trees in containers. Once you have chosen the perfect tree and you have brought it home you can’t just place it in the corner of the room right away. Follow these steps for best success:
• Gradually introduce your living tree from outside to inside over three or four days either in a garage or enclosed porch. This slow introduction to the interior of your home is to allow the gentle acclimation to the increased temperature of your warm home. A tree that has already gone dormant and exposed to immediate warmth has the potential to start new growth. Although this might look cool once the tree is returned to the wilds of nature the new growth will most definitely freeze.
• While the tree acclimating in the garage check for spiders, insects and insect egg masses, as well as squirrels and the occasional black bear. Remove any stowaways before bringing the tree inside.
• When choosing a location to place your tree, try and avoid a placement near a heating vent. The direct exposure to that hot air doesn’t do much for the moisture content of the needles.
• Place the tree in a large galvanized tub including root ball. (I have also used a decorative pot without a hole) This tub stabilizes the tree and ball (or pot) and confines water and needles into a more manageable and cleanable space. To keep the tree upright be sure to stabilize the root-ball with rocks or bricks.
• If you chose a balled-in-burlap tree, add mulch around the ball, this helps maintain the moisture. as often as necessary to moisten the roots but not soggy.
• Do not leave it inside longer than 7-10 days, any longer it will cause it to dry out too much.
• Reintroduction of your tree to its natural elements should be done with care. Move the tree back put to the garage for a few days and then move it outside to its final home. If you live in an area where the soil freezes dig the soil ahead of time.
Some of you may not have space to plant the tree when you are done. Realize that most trees sold as Christmas trees do grow quite large, so do your research ahead of time. Don’t plant them close to the house or beneath power lines. Planting it on the north side of the house will help protect your home from those cold winter winds. I have a friend that has a large lot and is happy to have new trees added to his property. Look for other opportunities to plant the tree, consider talking to your local parks department, city properties, or garden clubs to find a home for your tree.
Happy Planting!
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2006 November 28 « everyday trash said,
[...] The Groovy Green Blog argues the virtues of a living Christmas Tree. [...]
Jiltedcitizen said,
You should note that the tree will only be 3-4 feet tall. That’s because at that size it is a manageable root ball. A 6 foot tree has quite a large root ball. And they tend to be quite expensive. At least last I knew.
Chris said,
That is a good point Jilted.
With a 3-4′ tree after you add the pot and include the root ball will stand about 5-6′ tall. With a little help, I have installed a 6-7′ tree in a friends home. Remember to lift with the knees, and they are easier to handle if the top is tied up while you move it.
CThings said,
How To Pick (and take care of) A Live Christmas Tree…
Tips on having a “greener” christmas tree….
Ethan said,
We looked into a live tree several years ago, and were surprised at how much of a hassle it was going to be. Instead, we picked up a 6′ tall Ficus tree for around $40. It will last through many holiday seasons, looks good with lights and ornaments, and improves the indoor air quality all year long.
J. said,
To the ‘pingback’ writer …
Whether live, for future planting, or newly-cut (from tree farm), both are better choices than plastic.
While growing, they do what trees do best
and, afterward, either continue that process or, if recycled, add to the compost biomass. Good all ways around! Plus they just smell so darned good, LOL.
Cheers
Chris said,
Ethan – Another great choice. The ficus is a great plant!
Rebecca Carter said,
I never thought about this as an option. Thanks for the idea, Chris!
Sarah said,
I love this idea, but I don’t have a garage. Do you have any suggestions for poor souls who don’t have an easy place for acclimatization? Would the shed (not attached to the house, no heat) do?
Hey You Don’t Have To Murder The Tree To Have A Swinging Christmas! « Journal Intime D’un Grand Nègre said,
[...] Groovygreen shares some tips on how to keep your tree alive… There are a few important considerations when dealing with a live tree.A live tree comes with roots and therefore is heaver than a cut tree, obvious huh? Well don’t let a little extra weight get in your way. I use a wooden furniture dolly to wheel our tree around. Your local nursery will bring in live trees and often take the balled & burlapped trees and pot them up for easier handling. Some nurseries will just grow the trees in containers. Once you have chosen the perfect tree and you have brought it home you can’t just place it in the corner of the room right away. Follow these steps for best success: [...]
Chris said,
Sarah – The shed should help. That will at least eliminate the wind. You might find that waiting till a bit later to bring the tree in will help. The shorter the stay your tree has in the house the better it will fair as it returns to the outside.
Reena said,
Does anybody know if I get a Christmas tree and/or a ficus tree and leave it out on my balcony all year round in the Southern California weather? During summer it can reach 80s to 90s but the rest of the time it’s pretty cool around upper 60s. The lowest it’ll get is mid-40s and that’s at night for less than a month in winter.
The Zone Read » Blog Archive » links for 2006-12-01 said,
[...] GroovyGreen.com – How To Pick (and take care of) A Live Christmas Tree This link is for Jen (my wife). I tried to convince her in a “fake” tree this year — there are some really nice (and mess-free ones) out there. Jen will have nothing to do with that — we’re getting a real one. (tags: jen tree) [...]
Daily Clerks said,
[...] When selecting a tree ?go live?. When the holidays are over it can be habitat for small mammals and birds. They provide shelter and beauty not to mention clean air. It is a green choice for sure. » original news [...]
GroovyGreen.com - Start Today :: Save Tomorrow : Blog Archive : When Is “Enough” Enough? said,
[...] My wife and I noticed a sad trend while coming home from NYC to upstate NY today. Is it the new hip thing to have two Christmas trees? I know that we’re supposed to be switching to a live tree this year, but the word must not have gotten out there yet. We counted over 5 cars SUV’s with 2 cut trees on them. Do they think that Santa leaves more presents if there are two trees? [...]
Plant your Christmas tree at behindtheglasses.com said,
[...] If you’re thinking (and I believe you should) about getting live tree for this Christmas instead of a dead or artificial one, there is an article about How To Pick (and take care of) A Live Christmas Tree. It may seem as a little overhead, but is worth reading because it gives some good advices on planting trees. [...]
The 12 del.icio.us links for Christmas at Peety-Passion.com said,
[...] How To Pick (and take care of) A Live Christmas Tree [...]
sabrina said,
We use an old artificial tree that came from someone’s garage.(About 30-50 years old) It was not purchased new, and it is easy to assemble and take down year after year.
house music said,
Thanks for the idea, Chris!
Robs Place said,
[...] Going with a live Christmas tree is a great way to turn that tree into an investment you can enjoy for years as opposed to a pricey, yet disposable, piece of greenery. — Adam Pash How To Pick (and take care of) A Live Christmas Tree [GroovyGreen] No TagsPopularity: unranked [?]Share This [...]
greg said,
Hey Chris,
thank much for your Christmas tree tips.
Will surely find the time to apply them,
though I don’t know when since I’m so busy
nowadays.
Thanks,
- Greg
Santa Claus said,
Thanks for the great Christmas tree tips!
I will have to try them this year!
retro said,
Hard to believe Christmas is already around the corner. I am ready for some Thanksgiving turkey though.
PAULthinks » Blog Archive » Christmas Journal - It’s not easy being red and green said,
[...] feedback, by the way. I looked up information on the internet about how to care for a short, live Christmas tree. I felt [...]
Chris said,
I got myself a living christmas tree last year; it was a 5ft scotch pine and it was great. We kept it inside for 5 days, and then my wife and the kids planted it in the back yard. They all seemed to enjoy themselves, and I think it’s helpful for the children to learn about ‘recycling’
The Real Santa Clause said,
Thanks for the great info! I’ve always loved having a real Christmas tree.
How To Select and Care For A Live Christmas Tree | Organized Christmas said,
[...] How To Select And Care For A Live Christmas Tree Printer-friendly version [...]
ed said,
Great article. We do a live tree every other year and it’s been great. I especially liked the following:
“While the tree acclimating in the garage check for spiders, insects and insect egg masses, as well as squirrels and the occasional black bear. Remove any stowaways before bringing the tree inside.”
Letter From Santa said,
Real Christmas trees are definitely the best way to go if convenient. Plus you get the added bonus of that christmas tree smell throughout your house!
Shawndra said,
I’m renting a house that has several (aprox 20) large (30 feet high) Christmas trees circling the property. Some of them look rather bleak. Missing needles in spots and from the ground to about 5 ft up either missing needles or they are brown. What can I do to improve their appearance? What maintenance needs to be done to keep them healthy?