Guide to Replanting a Living Christmas Tree Outdoors

Living Christmas trees are more expensive to buy than artificial trees. However, they are much more eco-friendly. After the holiday is over, you can replant living Christmas trees and add beauty and a windbreak to your property. It's not hard to do at all. In an effort to help save the environment and have lasting memories of holidays gone by, my neighbor has been buying living trees and replanting them for years. Read this informative guide to replanting a living Christmas tree outdoors!

Step 1- Choose a Suitable Location for Christmas Tree Replanting

Choose a spot in your yard where you want to place your living tree. The soil should be fertile and allow for good drainage. Be sure to allow for growth both horizontally and vertically. Depending on the type of evergreen you have, it may grow to be quite tall and branch out to be wide. Replanting your Christmas tree means finding a spot where it won't crowd other trees, interfere with overhead power lines, et cetera.

Step 2- Dig a Hole for Your Christmas Tree Ahead of Time

If you live in a frigid winter region, plan on digging the hole for your living tree on a decent weather day. The best day would be when the temperatures are warmer and the ground isn't frozen hard.

Replanting your Christmas tree means digging a hole that is the height of the root ball. The hole should be a bit bigger in diameter than the root ball too. As you remove the dirt, shovel it in a pile near the hole for use later. Remove rocks, roots, et cetera from the dirt.

Once the hole is finished, place a board over it. This will keep humans and animals from stepping into it. Cover the pile of dirt with a tarp or plastic.

Step 3- Move Your Living Christmas Tree to a Very Cool Place

After Christmas is over, place your living tree in a place that's cool, but not freezing cold. A garage usually works well. Keep your tree watered for a week or so while you're waiting to finish the replanting process. During this time, your living Christmas tree will become accustomed to the colder temperature.

Step 4- Finish Your Christmas Tree Replanting by Placing it in the Ground

On a day when the winter weather in your area is fairly decent, move the living tree from its holding area to its outside location. Take the plastic or burlap off the root ball. Gently loosen the roots and pull them out away from the tree.

Uncover the hole and the dirt you've prepared for replanting. Place the Christmas living tree into the hole so it's upright and straight. Shovel the dirt back into the hole so the root ball of your living tree is completely covered. Arrange the dirt so the outer area is a bit higher than the inside. This will help hold water and distribute it to the root ball. Then, tamp the dirt down.

Don't fertilize your living Christmas tree at this time. You can stake it up if you choose. Keep it watered during dry periods to promote health and growth.