Embrace the festive spirit with the fresh aroma of a real Christmas tree without the guilt of cutting one down. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to properly care for a live, balled-in-burlap Christmas tree indoors and ensure its successful transition to your garden post-holiday celebrations.
When choosing a live Christmas tree, opt for one that's balled in burlap, which allows you to enjoy the holiday tradition sustainably. Before bringing your tree indoors, it's crucial to prepare for its eventual planting:
Pre-Dig the Planting Hole: Before the ground freezes, dig a hole where you plan to plant the tree after the holidays. Store the excavated soil in a wheelbarrow in your garage to prevent it from freezing, ensuring it's ready for backfilling.
Limit Indoor Time: Keep the tree inside your home for the shortest time possible to reduce stress on the plant. The ideal indoor stay should not exceed 7 to 10 days.
Moisture Management: Maintain the root ball's moisture by watering it thoroughly, then allowing it to nearly dry out before re-watering. Avoid keeping the root ball soggy or completely dry.
After the holiday season, it's time to transition your tree to the outdoors:
Immediate Outdoor Relocation: Move the tree outside promptly after Christmas. If you couldn't dig a hole earlier and the ground is now frozen, insulate the root ball with leaves or straw and minimize exposure to sun and wind.
Planting the Tree: Aim to plant the tree as soon as possible. If the ground has frozen after you dug the hole, place the tree in the hole and backfill with loose soil, ensuring no air pockets remain. If backfilling is not feasible due to frozen soil, wait until the weather allows.
Remove Synthetic Materials: Check for and remove any nylon strings from the root ball and stem. If the burlap is synthetic, cut it in several places or remove it entirely. Wire baskets can be left on to stabilize the tree, but ensure the burlap is cut to allow root growth.
Proper Planting Depth: Plant the tree so that the top of the root ball is 1-2 inches above ground level. For heavy clay soils, plant even higher and mound soil around the ball. Overly deep planting can suffocate the tree.
Avoid Fertilizing: Do not fertilize at planting time. In spring, use only organic fertilizers or compost to avoid damaging the tree.
Staking the tree can be beneficial, especially in windy areas, to help the tree establish roots in its new environment.
While the tradition of live Christmas trees is well-known, there are some lesser-discussed statistics and facts that highlight the benefits and considerations of this practice:
By choosing a live, balled-in-burlap Christmas tree and following the proper care and planting guidelines, you can enjoy the holiday season responsibly while contributing to a greener future.
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