Choosing the Right Live Christmas Tree
Live Christmas trees are a great way to celebrate the holidays. There are many benefits to using a live tree as opposed to an artificial one, including:
– Freshness. Live trees can remain fresh and green for several weeks after they are cut down.
– Health benefits. Because they are not sprayed with chemicals, they are safer for your family and pets (and the environment).
– They smell good! A freshly cut tree emits a piney fragrance that no artificial tree can match.
– The best part — you get to keep it! Many people keep their trees up all year long because they love having them around so much!
But how do you go about planting one? Here are some tips on how to plant a live Christmas tree:
Step 1: Digging a hole for your tree
The first thing you should do is check your area’s soil conditions to make sure the ground is moist enough for planting. If it isn’t, water it so it will be ready for planting later.
Using either a shovel or an auger (a hand-operated drill), dig a hole that’s about twice as wide as the root system of your tree. If you’re using an auger, push it into the ground until it hits rock or hard soil; then pull it out and start over in another spot if necessary.
Step 2: Positioning your tree
Once you’ve dug your hole, place your Christmas tree in it so that its roots are facing down and its trunk is upright at an angle (most trees are shipped with their roots bound together). The root ball shouldn’t touch the bottom of the hole, but should hang over it slightly so that there’s room for mulch around its base later on.
NOTE: The best way to plant a live Christmas tree is to follow the directions that come with it.
If you don’t know the care requirements for your tree, check with your local nursery or look online.
You can also buy a kit that contains everything you need to keep your tree healthy, such as soil, fertilizer and instructions. The kits are often sold at garden centers or home improvement stores.
Live Christmas trees should be planted in early fall so they have time to establish their roots before winter sets in. However, if you must plant later than this, make sure the soil is not frozen and dig a hole large enough for the root ball of the tree. Make sure the hole is deep enough so when the roots fill it out, there will still be room for water drainage.
Add soil amendments such as compost or aged manure before backfilling around the root ball with dirt. Water well after planting and mulch around the base of your tree to help retain moisture but avoid over-watering as this can cause root rot problems.
Plant your tree in a container. This is a great option if you want to bring your tree indoors after the holidays. It’s also a great way to display your tree in the house before putting it outside. You can use any container that holds water, but plastic or metal containers will work best because they’re durable and will last longer than other materials.