Prepare for the Perfect Christmas Tree

For many families, bringing a live Christmas tree into their home for the holidays is a great tradition. Whether this is your first time or your twentieth, find out how to choose and keep your tree so you can plant it in your yard after the festivities and enjoy it for years to come.

Choose a Balled in Burlap or container tree if you plan to plant the tree after the holidays.

• These trees can live from seven to ten days in your house if it's placed in a cool spot near a window.
• Choose a manageable size - Root balls are heavy!

In a cold weather winter climate, you'll need to plan ahead and dig a hole for the tree before you buy it or at least before the ground freezes.

• The hole should be twice as wide as the root ball will be.
• Fill the hole with mulch and cover the excavated soil with a tarp to protect it.
• Place the tree in the garage for a few days before bringing it into the house so it can adjust to a warmer temperature.
• Place the tree in a watertight container and use ice cubes to keep the rootball moist and cool.

After the holidays, you'll need to get the tree back in the ground to let it begin growing.

• Place the tree back in the garage for a day to get it used to the cooler weather again.
• Place the tree in the hole and remove the burlap. Fill in the hole with your excavated dirt.
• Water the tree and place a mulch around but not touching the trunk.
• Trees vulnerable to harsh winds should have a burlap screen put up to protect it.

See the complete article, Buying a Christmas Tree to Plant, at Better Homes and Gardens.