Potted Christmas trees can be a good way of enjoying a traditional decoration without having to kill a tree in order to do so. You might even be able to plant your Christmas tree out in the garden when the Festive Season is over. Most nurseries sell living Christmas trees each year so there should be plenty of choice.
Here's a quick guide on how to care for your potted Christmas tree.
Where to put your tree
If possible, don't put your tree too close to a radiator or fire. Proximity to heat will dry out the tree's roots very quickly, leading to needle-drop and overheating might even kill your tree. If possible, find a cool, shady spot in which to place your tree.
Watering your tree
The secret to keeping your potted Christmas tree healthy is making sure that its roots are kept moist. It's also important that the pot is well-draining so that the roots don't become waterlogged, as this could cause them to rot, killing the tree. A good way of making sure that the pot drains well is to place it into a terracotta saucer so that excess water can drain away.
Check the soil on the top of the pot every day to make sure that it remains moist.
Planting your tree outside
Christmas trees tend to be potted a year or so before they are sold, meaning that the roots can become quite compacted within the pot. All varieties of fir or spruce tree that are used for Christmas trees have the capacity to grow very tall; hence they have a lot of roots. Your tree probably won't thrive if left in its pot for too long, and it's therefore a good idea to plant it out in your garden after Christmas.
Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Dig a hole that's deep and wide enough to encompass the whole of the tree's root system and cover the top of it by at least five centimetres. Keep the tree roots moist until it has become established after a few weeks. You should see new growth appearing on the tree's branches in the spring.
Re-potting the tree
It is possible to re-pot your Christmas tree and use it again for a year or so after it was first bought. However, to do so you'll probably have to trim off some of the roots so that it will fit into the pot with some good-quality compost. The tree should be fine, but just bear in mind that the loss of some of the root system will impact on its stability when you replant it back into the garden, meaning that you'll need to secure the tree with a stake until the roots regrow.
In conclusion
You can enjoy the beauty of a live Christmas tree by choosing a potted one this year. If you want to, you can transplant the tree into your garden and bring it inside again the following year. Ask as your local plant supplier or nursery for more information and advice.
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