How to Plant a Living Christmas Tree
Check the root ball for damage., Limit the amount of time your tree is indoors., Keep your tree in a cool spot., Keep the soil moist., Move your tree to a sheltered outdoor space., Choose an open, sunny planting spot., Dig the hole as early as...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Check the root ball for damage.
Move the tree gently side to side and be sure the root ball moves with the trunk as you do this.
The base of the trunk should not move around inside the root ball, which is indicative of damaged roots.If this is the case, you should not attempt to plant your tree because it is unlikely to survive. -
Step 2: Limit the amount of time your tree is indoors.
Buy your living Christmas tree as close to Christmas as possible, and plant as soon as possible afterwards.
The longer your tree stays inside, the more it’s exposed to drying conditions that will weaken it. 7-10 days is about as long as you should keep your tree inside., Near a window is best so it can still receive light and cool air, but keep it out of direct sunlight.
Avoid putting it near a heating vent, fireplace, or stove. , Daily watering is necessary to keeping your tree healthy.
Try putting ice cubes on top of the root ball daily to achieve a more gradual and steady watering as they melt., Allow your tree to acclimate back to the cold after spending 1-2 weeks inside your warm home.
Place it outside, in a cool sheltered spot like a front or back porch and leave it there for about a week.Continue watering it daily during this time. , Research the type of tree you have and its growth potential.
Make sure it won’t outgrow the spot you choose for it.
Look for a sunny spot that’s several feet from your house or any fencing since roots and limbs could eventually cause problems for these structures., In colder climates, the ground will freeze if you wait until Christmas to dig the hole, so plan ahead and do this in the fall.If you’ve waited too long to dig and the ground is already frozen, try pouring boiling water onto the spot and then digging. , Using a shovel, dig a hole twice as wide as the size of the root ball to give the roots a chance to spread.But don’t go any deeper than the height of the root ball, since you don’t want it too far below the soil level.
Having it slightly higher than the soil around it will help with drainage., Don’t dispose of any of the dirt you dig out of the hole.
You’ll be using this later to fill the hole back in.
It can be left outside under a tarp or placed in a garage or shed. , The root ball of your tree may have been wrapped in burlap or plastic, so be sure nothing remains wrapped around it when you’re ready to plant., This may require two people depending on the size of your tree.
Try to get it as close to centered as possible inside the hole you dug.
Hold it upright so it doesn’t fall over before you can fill in the hole. , Shovel the soil you dug out of the hole back into the empty spaces around the root ball of the tree.
Tamp the soil gently, but don’t pack it in tightly., Moisten the soil around the tree with a hose or watering can.
You do not need to use any sort of fertilizer – just plain water will do. , Add a couple inches of mulch around the base of the tree as an insulating layer.You can also gather old leaves and place them on top of the soil for a similar effect. , Observe the tree for the rest of the winter season.
If your winter conditions are dry, occasionally water the tree to keep moisture near the roots.
Once the spring growing season begins, water the tree regularly if you aren’t getting a lot of rain., Place one or two stakes around your tree – away from the roots but still within the mulched area.
Tie the tree to the stakes using a flexible material like canvas straps.The stakes can be removed after about a year. -
Step 3: Keep your tree in a cool spot.
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Step 4: Keep the soil moist.
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Step 5: Move your tree to a sheltered outdoor space.
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Step 6: Choose an open
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Step 7: sunny planting spot.
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Step 8: Dig the hole as early as possible in the season.
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Step 9: Dig wide but not deep.
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Step 10: Save the soil you’re digging up.
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Step 11: Remove root ball coverings.
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Step 12: Place the tree in the hole.
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Step 13: Fill the hole back in.
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Step 14: Water the newly planted tree.
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Step 15: Mulch around the tree.
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Step 16: Monitor soil moisture.
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Step 17: Stake your tree to keep it upright.
Detailed Guide
Move the tree gently side to side and be sure the root ball moves with the trunk as you do this.
The base of the trunk should not move around inside the root ball, which is indicative of damaged roots.If this is the case, you should not attempt to plant your tree because it is unlikely to survive.
Buy your living Christmas tree as close to Christmas as possible, and plant as soon as possible afterwards.
The longer your tree stays inside, the more it’s exposed to drying conditions that will weaken it. 7-10 days is about as long as you should keep your tree inside., Near a window is best so it can still receive light and cool air, but keep it out of direct sunlight.
Avoid putting it near a heating vent, fireplace, or stove. , Daily watering is necessary to keeping your tree healthy.
Try putting ice cubes on top of the root ball daily to achieve a more gradual and steady watering as they melt., Allow your tree to acclimate back to the cold after spending 1-2 weeks inside your warm home.
Place it outside, in a cool sheltered spot like a front or back porch and leave it there for about a week.Continue watering it daily during this time. , Research the type of tree you have and its growth potential.
Make sure it won’t outgrow the spot you choose for it.
Look for a sunny spot that’s several feet from your house or any fencing since roots and limbs could eventually cause problems for these structures., In colder climates, the ground will freeze if you wait until Christmas to dig the hole, so plan ahead and do this in the fall.If you’ve waited too long to dig and the ground is already frozen, try pouring boiling water onto the spot and then digging. , Using a shovel, dig a hole twice as wide as the size of the root ball to give the roots a chance to spread.But don’t go any deeper than the height of the root ball, since you don’t want it too far below the soil level.
Having it slightly higher than the soil around it will help with drainage., Don’t dispose of any of the dirt you dig out of the hole.
You’ll be using this later to fill the hole back in.
It can be left outside under a tarp or placed in a garage or shed. , The root ball of your tree may have been wrapped in burlap or plastic, so be sure nothing remains wrapped around it when you’re ready to plant., This may require two people depending on the size of your tree.
Try to get it as close to centered as possible inside the hole you dug.
Hold it upright so it doesn’t fall over before you can fill in the hole. , Shovel the soil you dug out of the hole back into the empty spaces around the root ball of the tree.
Tamp the soil gently, but don’t pack it in tightly., Moisten the soil around the tree with a hose or watering can.
You do not need to use any sort of fertilizer – just plain water will do. , Add a couple inches of mulch around the base of the tree as an insulating layer.You can also gather old leaves and place them on top of the soil for a similar effect. , Observe the tree for the rest of the winter season.
If your winter conditions are dry, occasionally water the tree to keep moisture near the roots.
Once the spring growing season begins, water the tree regularly if you aren’t getting a lot of rain., Place one or two stakes around your tree – away from the roots but still within the mulched area.
Tie the tree to the stakes using a flexible material like canvas straps.The stakes can be removed after about a year.
About the Author
Virginia Bailey
Enthusiastic about teaching creative arts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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