Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Plant a live Christmas tree

For along time now people who live in the country with acres of land to spare have been using live Christmas trees for the holidays and then planting them on their property. It's not until recently that many of us suburban dwellers have followed suit. If you've talked to anyone who has decorated a tree and then planted it in their yard you can see the pleasure it brings. The tree is a benchmark of time and always a source of enjoyment as it grows to new heights with every passing Christmas. It's also a nice alternative to using the same artificial tree year after year or discarding an expensive cut tree.

Your local nurseries and garden centers sell living Christmas trees potted in containers or balled and burlapped. The selections are chosen because they are suitable for growing in a geographic area, they're survivors who can thrive where you live. Spruce, fir and pines are just a few examples. The trees sold to plant after the holidays are made of hearty stock and have the resilience to make the switch from outdoors to inside and then back out again.

If the idea appeals to you there's a few basics about planning the project. Plan to keep a living tree in your house for no longer than a week, any more time and you're testing its strength and stamina.

Dig the hole as deep as the root ball and at least 2 times as wide. If you not sure of the size of the root ball visit the nursery where you plan to purchase your tree and take some measurements.

Consider the size of tree when it's full grown when you're choosing a location in the yard. Give it plenty of wide open spreading space and room overhead to grow. That means don't put it where it will obstruct utility lines overhead or walkways or driveways. Refer to its specifications about how far it will span so it's not planted too close to the house or other trees and shrubbery.

When you're tree shopping stand back and look at the tree. The foliage should be fresh and it should have a straight trunk and a well balanced system of branches. You'll find trees in plastic or metal containers or balled and burlapped. A tree in a container should have moist soil which you can feel if you dig down into it and feel its texture. A tree that's been grown in a field and then dug out and balled and burlapped should be freshly dug and not wrapped too tightly with ropes. If fresh weeds or grass are growing out of the root ball that tells you it's freshly cut and probably has a healthy root system. Avoid a tree with a broken root ball; it should be intact and not cracked or dried out.

If you live in an area where the ground freezes in December dig the hole for the tree well before then. To keep anyone from falling in the hole cover it with a sheet of old plywood or a row of 2x4s. Shovel the dirt into a wheelbarrel and store it in a garage or protect it with a covering so it doesn't freeze.

Before you bring a tree home decide where you'll store it. It should be kept in a protected, yet unheated holding place where the tree can make the transition from outdoors to inside. Be careful when you're man-handling the tree which can be cumbersome yet very delicate. If you have a very small car have the nursery deliver the tree. You'll lessen the risk of breaking branches or damaging its root ball in the transfer. An appliance dolly or a wheel barrow can help you move it from the car or truck to its holding place.

This is not an easy transition because a tree goes into its dormant stage in the fall and when brought inside a heated house there's a danger that it will break its dormancy and begin its growing cycle.

Put it in an unheated porch or garage where the tree can adjust to its new environment and not be shocked by the transmission. Keep the soil moist and mist the needles so it doesn't dry out.

In the house set up the tree for decorating in a galvanized wash tub or any large container that will hold it. Locate it near a window for light and far from a fireplace or blasts of heat. Decorate the tree with small twinkling light instead of the large ones that create more heat and consequently dry it out. An even better alternative is to use flood lights on the floor to spot light the tree that's laden with ornaments and garland. Avoid using tinsel because it's very difficult to remove! If decorations allow, mist the tree occasionally during the time it's indoors.

After Christmas when it's ready to be planted in its permanent home carefully move it to the hole. Remove the container or loosen the burlap it's wrapped in before gently easing it into the hole. Set the tree up erect and level with soil it is planted in. Fill in the hole with the original soil mixed with compost and topping soil. Don't pact the soil too heavily with your feet it's better to tamp with a rake or hoe. Water the hole and then smooth soil around the base of the tree. Topcoat the area with a layer of mulch. Don't forget to keep the soil moist throughout the winter months.

written by Gene and Katie Hamilton

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