Selecting and Caring for the Christmas Tree 

Real trees make scents.  I don’t have much to offer for selection of any other kind except to make sure it’s safe, especially if you’re adding electrical attachments.  But live trees come in two varieties:  fresh cut and balled and burlapped (B&B) for later planting. 

Whichever you choose, it will be more satisfactory if it’s fresh.  For fresh cut trees you can test it on the lot.  Pick the tree up and drop it a few inches so that the cut end hits a hard surface.  Or if it’s too large, give it a quick shake.  Old, interior needles should drop off.  But you should not see an abundance of younger green needles falling. 

But when you get it home, remember that it probably has been several weeks since the tree was cut, bundled, loaded, shipped, unloaded, stacked, and generally handled.  You can get a lot of water back into it.  Make a fresh cut to remove about an inch from the bottom of the trunk.  Then promptly place it in a bucket of water and leave it in a shady location protected from wind.  The tree will probably absorb several quarts of water within 2-3 days.  You may need to replenish its supply.  Once water uptake slows, make another one-inch cut and place it on a stand with a water reservoir. 

You can decorate the tree indoors, but leave access to the stand.  You’ll need to check it daily to make sure that there is adequate water in the reservoir.  You may hear all kinds of recommendations about additives to put in the water.  Researchers have evaluated these additives and found that there is nothing better than water.  Some additives actually accelerate the tree drying out. 

The choice of Christmas tree species is largely a matter of personal preference for cut trees.  But for B&B trees that you want to plant after Christmas you might as well choose one that is likely to thrive when planted.  There are exceptions, of course, but in central NC those likely to thrive do not include firs, spruces, or white pines.  Think instead of the native eastern redcedar and Virginia pine.

In addition to selecting poorly adapted species, other reasons for failure of live Christmas trees to thrive in the landscape include selecting too large a tree and the tree drying out prior to planting.  A very large tree requires a very large root ball to transplant successfully.  Very large root balls are very heavy and difficult to lift and handle (several times) without damage.  Smaller trees are easier to handle and easier to establish after planting.  Limit it to 5-6 feet. 

The tree should be well watered prior to digging.  Recent rains locally should have taken care of that.  To keep the tree fresh, place it in a cool spot in the house – think temperatures in the 60s rather than the 70s.  Limit electrical lights placed on the tree to reduce drying.  A spotlight may work better for the tree.  And keep the amount of time indoors to a minimum.  A week or less should be considered. 

Indoors the root ball should be kept moist but not soaked.  You may want to place it in a water proof bucket or line the root ball with plastic.  If the tree needs to be watered, placing ice on the top of the root ball is convenient and less messy.  Avoid overwatering.  Misting the needles can also reduce drying, but keep water away from electrical devices.  

After Christmas, take the tree back outside and leave it in a protected area to acclimate to the change.  To protect the root ball from freezing, cover it with mulch or loose soil.  Meanwhile, dig up and thoroughly loosen the soil in an area about 4-5 times larger than the root ball. 

Plant the tree so that it sits a little higher than the surrounding grade.  Remove any ties and loosen the burlap.  (Synthetic burlap must also be removed.)  Expose the root flare at the base of the trunk.  Bring soil up over the root ball and to the root flare but not around the trunk.  Water the tree to settle the soil around it, and mulch the entire area.  During the next year or two the tree may need supplemental water.  Apply as needed but don’t overdo it.  You just have to pay attention.

Be sure any indoor tree is well supported and away from heat sources.  Trees do not cause fires but they will support combustion if they dry out.  Be sure all electrical wires are safe with no damage or wear.  Be safe and make great holiday memories. 

alcooke

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