Christmas Tree Care Maintenance and Planting

Christmas tree traditions means driving to the u pick Christmas tree farm, or local nursery. The only thing everyone agrees on is they want the perfect tree, while drinking hot chocolate and eating smores. It's not an easy task to get all members of the same family to agree as to what the perfect tree is. Some guidelines might help before the big day arrives. When the Christmas holidays are over and the tinsel, ornaments and lights are put away its time to plant the tree, you will be prepared to plant your most perfect Christmas tree in just the right location to admire for many years to come.

How to choose a Christmas tree:

When choosing a live Christmas tree to plant after the holidays, always choose a tree native to the region you live in. In northern states, the white pine is a typical tree dominant in the landscape. Check your local nursery to find what pines or spruce trees are native to your area. Make sure you choose a Christmas tree with a straight trunk, check the needles for dryness. The tree should be green and smell green. The root ball should be in tack, the soil should not be hard and dry or crumble when touched. Be sure the tree is prepared properly for the drive home with netting or canvas. Purchase your Christmas tree close to the time when you can plant it in a reasonable time, you don't want to keep your live Christmas tree in the house any longer than necessary. When you arrive home with your live Christmas tree be sure to keep your live tree watered not soaking but moist.

Prepare the soil and hole for the live Christmas tree:

You'll want to prepare the ground hole for the Christmas tree before its time to plant it. Do this before the ground freezes, if you live in a harsh climate. Preparing the soil before trees are transplanted is one of the essentials to success. Rich soil stimulates the vigor of trees, thereby equipping them with abundant vitality that will make them less subject to disease and less vulnerable to attack by insects. Transition your Christmas tree from an inside environment to an outside environment by placing in a garage or enclosed porch prior to planting, to avoid cold weather shock. To prepare the soil remove the top layer of soil, dig to a depth of 5 inches plus height of root ball below the grade. Keep about 2 inches of loose soil to sit root ball on in the hole. The top of the ball should be level with the final grade. The planting bed should be about 2 feet wider than the diameter of the ball of earth that will come with the roots. Top soil should be used in filling around the root ball. If the ball doesn't come to proper level, tip ball up on one side and add more soil. You can then remove burlap and twine. Tamper the soil to make soil firm against the roots. Water the tree when soil is packed firmly. If needed add more soil and tamper again. The work involved will be well worth it. Your family will have many memories of purchasing, planting, and watching their perfect Christmas tree grow to new heights.