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For most of the 20th century, Christmas trees were essentially seen as disposable. They’d be cut down from a forest or tree farm, decorated, enjoyed for a few weeks, and then discarded.
Later, as environmentally friendly attitudes became popular during the 1960s, retailers began offering living Christmas trees for sale. These trees had living root systems and — provided they received proper care — the ability to survive the holidays and be ready for planting outside shortly later (or the following spring, if the ground was frozen).
But caring for a living Christmas tree and then planting it once the eggnog is gone and the holiday lights have been put away is not quite as easy as many would hope. So, we’ll try to help by outlining a few key Christmas tree care and planting tips you can try this season with your family.
Nine Christmas Tree Care and Planting Tips: Give Your Tree a Chance at a Long Life
Planting a live tree may not be especially easy, but if you keep the following tips in mind, you’ll help set yourself (and your tree) up for success.
1. Decide on the right type of living Christmas tree.
Most Christmas trees offered for sale are essentially already dead. Their trunks have been cut and root systems removed, so you can’t plant them at all. So, if you want a living Christmas tree you can plant in your yard, you essentially have two options:
- Container-Grown Trees: These trees are generally relatively small (often around 24 inches tall), and they’re nestled into small containers, just like a traditional potted house plant. Container-grown trees have often been living in their pot for some time, and they’ll generally be the more resilient option.
- Balled-and-Burlapped Trees: These are often much larger (you can often find 6- or 7-foot-tall specimens), and they’re typically dug up shortly before they’re sold. They are a little more delicate than container-grown trees, and they have large root balls, which are wrapped in burlap.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to easier (container-grown) or larger (balled-and-burlapped). Both types are available in a variety of species, such as Norway spruce and white pine.
2. Plan your purchase timing carefully.
If you’re purchasing a container-grown tree, you’ll have a little more wiggle room with respect to timing. You can purchase the tree several months in advance if you like, but don’t bring it indoors until a week or two before Christmas. Afterwards, you’ll want to take it outside to reacclimatize to the temperature for a few weeks before planting it.
Balled-and-burlapped trees, on the other hand, are going to start struggling the moment they’re dug up. So, try to avoid purchasing them more than about a week (maybe two) before Christmas. Then, try to move it outside and plant it in a pre-dug hole as soon as humanly possible.
3. Identify a suitable spot for the tree in your yard.
You’ll want to be sure to pick a suitable spot in your yard for the tree early in the process, as this may influence your choice of species. For example, Douglas firs and Colorado spruces may reach 60 feet or more in height, while eastern redcedars rarely reach half this height.
Similarly, you’d also need to find a location with full sun for something like an Arizona cypress, while a Norway spruce would tolerate a bit of shade.
4. Dig a properly sized planting hole.
Because the ground in Michigan may be frozen in late December, you’ll want to go ahead and dig a hole in the fall. That’s not terribly difficult for container-grown trees, as you can purchase them months in advance. But it can be a bit tricky for balled-and-burlapped trees, as you won’t have the tree in hand until well into winter.
In either case, you want to make the planting hole about twice as wide as the root ball or container. In terms of depth, you want it to be deep enough to allow the tree to be stable, but not any deeper than necessary — ideally, you should keep the root flare (the area of the trunk where the large structural roots start “flaring” out) above ground.
So, for container-grown trees, the hole should be about twice as wide as the container, and a little shallower than the container’s height (and be sure to adjust as necessary). For balled-and-burlapped trees, you’ll have to estimate a bit. Most 5- to 6-foot-tall Christmas trees will have a root ball that’s between 36 and 54 inches in diameter. So, you’ll want to dig a planting hole that’s about 6- to 8-feet wide and roughly 24 to 30 inches deep.
Be sure to keep the soil you remove from the hole to help fill it in later, once you’ve planted the tree.
5. Purchase a healthy tree.
As mentioned, you can purchase a container-grown Christmas tree just about anytime you like. Just start by selecting a healthy individual with a full canopy and no evidence of pests or disease. Once you have it at home, keep it outside until mid- to late December, so that it can benefit from natural sunlight. Be sure to water it regularly before and after you bring it indoors.
If you’re opting for a balled-and-burlapped tree, you’ll have to be more careful with the timing to prevent it from dying before you get it back in the ground. Use the same kind of selection criteria you would for a container-grown tree (look for a full canopy and avoid those with insect damage, fungus, or discolored needles) and be sure to keep the root ball slightly damp until you get it in the ground.
6. Be gentle while decorating the tree.
Tread lightly once it comes time to decorate the tree. Avoid hanging anything very heavy on the tree to prevent broken branches. This is especially important for the tree’s leader (the tallest point of the tree) and means picking the lightest tree topper you can.
You’ll also want to avoid hanging hot lights on it. Small LEDs that are cool to the touch should be safe, but for the best results, keep them turned off as much as possible.
7. Try to transition the tree to the outdoors soon.
We’re not saying you need to pick the tree up and carry it outside as soon as the kiddos have finished opening their presents, but you’ll definitely want to move the tree back outside as soon as possible.
If the ground isn’t frozen, go ahead and plant balled-and-burlapped trees in the ground, so they can start establishing their roots and absorbing water. If the ground is rock-solid, just keep the tree in a sheltered area and cover the root ball with something insulating, such as a big pile of mulch. Keep the root ball damp but not wet. Once the ground thaws, get it in the ground.
Container-grown trees, on the other hand, can remain in their pots for a few weeks (or even until the early Spring) before you plant them. Keep them watered properly and consider insulating the root system during extremely cold weather.
8. Water the tree regularly.
Once you’ve planted the tree in its final spot, be sure to provide it with plenty of supplemental water. This is crucial for helping to establish it and promote proper growth. In fact, you may need to provide supplemental water for up to a year if your area doesn’t get a lot of rain.
Do not fertilize the tree at this time, as this can lead to root burn. Additionally, you don’t want to encourage rapid growth right after putting it in the ground. You want to support the tree and give it time to develop a full root system.
9. Have an ISA-certified arborist assess the tree a few months later.
With any luck, your tree will start to establish itself and begin thriving by late spring or early summer. But there are still a number of things that can go wrong, so you’ll want to have an ISA-certified arborist assess your tree and identify any potential problems, such as water stress, poor form, or pest issues.
This will give you a chance to address any problems early and give your tree the best chance at living a long, healthy life.
Best of Luck with Your Living Christmas Tree!
We wish you the best of luck with your living Christmas tree project! It is certainly not something that’s easy to do, but if you follow the tips shared above, you’ll have a pretty good chance of enjoying this year’s tree for decades to come.
And if you find yourself in need of tree care during this time of year (it’s actually a fantastic time to have your trees pruned or inspected by an arborist), we’ll be here, ready to help the residents of Southeast Michigan by providing unmatched tree care services!
Contact us today and let us know how we can serve you!
Sources and References
- This Old House – “How to Plant a Living Christmas Tree After the Holiday Season”
This Old House guide outlines how to choose, care for, and successfully plant a living (root-balled or container-grown) Christmas tree after the holidays. It details preparation, acclimation, and planting techniques to ensure post-holiday survival.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/landscaping/21018308/plant-a-living-christmas-tree-after-the-holiday-season - Cornell Farm Nursery – “Living Christmas Tree Care”
Cornell Farm’s resource for caring for container-grown and balled-and-burlapped Christmas trees, including tips for indoor display duration, temperature management, watering, and gradual outdoor transition before planting.
https://cornellfarms.com/blogs/holiday/living-christmas-tree-care - Michigan State University Extension – “The Do’s and Don’ts of Christmas Tree Planting”
MSU Extension article explaining proper timing, soil preparation, and planting depth for Christmas trees, with emphasis on avoiding overwatering and ensuring correct placement of the root flare for long-term survival.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the-do-s-and-don-ts-of-christmas-tree-planting
