Caring for your Christmas Tree

Since our previous post was about choosing the best Christmas tree, we'll tell you the best way to care for your new tree and how to get it growing in your yard after the holidays.

1. Before you even bring your tree in the house, know where you'll be planting it and dig the hole.

• Place the soil from the hole in a wheelbarrow and place it in the garage to keep it loose. You'll use this dirt to fill in the hole because the ground may be frozen by the time you're ready to plant.

2. You'll want to keep your live tree in the house as short as possible.

3. You'll need to keep the ball plenty moist, not soggy wet.

• You don't want the root ball to dry out, but it can't be drenched either.
• Just get it thoroughly wet and then water it again only when the water is almost gone.

4. After the holidays when you bring the tree outside and if you were unable to dig the hole before you brought it in, then place the tree outside somewhere where wind and sun exposure is minimal.

• Pack bags of leaves or bales of straw around the ball to keep the root ball covered.

5. Once outside, the tree shouldn't be stored on top of the ground very long. You'll want to plant it immediately if you can.

• If you place the tree in the garage, it's likely to dry out.
• Place the tree in the hole, even if the ground is frozen and fill it with your loose dirt.
• Make sure there are no air pockets around the ball.

6. Check the ball for nylon sting or burlap. 

• The nylon is not biodegradable and must be removed.

7. Don't plant the tree too deep in the ground.

• The number one reason that plants don't survive is because they are planted too deep.
• When the tree is planted to deep, it is literally suffocated.
• The top of the ball should be one to two inches above ground level.

8. Don't fertilize the tree at the time of planting.

• Only fertilize in the spring, and with organic fertilizer. 
• If you have a compost pile, you can use some of that mixed in with your loose soil for filling.
• You may also need to stake down the tree to help it establish its roots if the tree is exposed to strong winds.

Check out the full article, Caring for and Planting a Balled in Burlap Christmas Tree, 
from Gardening-Articles.com by Michael J. McGroarty