How to Care for Your Live Holiday Tree

With every year we get the chance to create new family traditions that are sure to create lasting memories. If you've ever considered having a live tree for the holidays we have many conifers to choose from that once planted can be a reminder of holidays past as the tree grows and adds its beauty to our ever green Northwest landscape. Find out the scoop on taking care of and planting your living tree in this blog entry.

Introducing a living tree into its new home during the Holidays can be a rewarding family experience.  Bringing a live tree indoors can mean risking the life of the tree, but with some common sense and following a few basic rules, it can be done successfully.

TIP: ~The tree should not be indoors for more than 7 to 10 days.~

STEP 1: Pick out a live tree that suits your family's space and personality. When you take the tree home first put the tree in the garage or under cover where the needles can dry. With newspaper under the tree to protect the floor, spray the whole tree down with Wilt Stop, an anti-desiccant. This helps to prevent moisture loss. Let it dry before bringing indoors.

STEP 2: Double bag the root ball with regular plastic garbage bags.

STEP 3: Once indoors, use an old sheet or towels tucked under the base of the root ball to level the tree. You may also place your tree inside of a decorative container. Cover with a decorative cloth or Christmas tree skirt.

CARING FOR YOUR TREE ONCE INSIDE: Every third day or so, lay a bag of ice cubes over the top of the root ball. Make sure there are some holes punctured into the bottom of the bag so that as the ice melts, it slowly waters the tree. Take care not to position the tree too close to a heat source such as a wood stove or fireplace.

PLANTING YOUR TREE: Immediately after the holiday, the tree should be gradually transitioned to the outdoors, especially if the weather is very cold. Put it in the garage or some other protected place for a day or so before planting.

Without removing the burlap, plant the tree into the amended planting hole. Cut the twine and unwrap it and the burlap from around the trunk. We recommend the use of a good quality organic fertilizer added to the hole at this time. Take care that the tree is not planted too deeply. The crown (where the roots meet the trunk) should be just above the soil line.

Water in thoroughly to settle the soil around the root ball. Stake it to stabilize against the wind if necessary. Don't forget to give adequate water, especially for the first year.

Enjoy your tree! And share your stories and photos with us, we'd love to hear about your experience.

Happy Holidays.