People choose to bring trees into their homes for a variety of reasons during the winter months. By bringing in a live holiday tree you can respect and encourage our connection and dependence on trees and nature itself.
If you choose a live tree for the holidays, it is critical to note that the tree can be indoors for only seven days.
In choosing a living tree, think first about how you would like to care for your tree in the seasons ahead. Are you planning to plant it in the ground this winter?
Alternatively, would you like to keep it in the same container, bringing it back inside in future years? If you want to plant the tree this winter or spring, you may choose any kind of tree. However, only certain kinds of trees will survive container life. The following paragraphs give more details to help you make your decision.
Larger (and thus faster growing) conifers such as Douglas fir, true cedars, and cypress (Pseudotsuga, Cedrus, Chamaecyparis, Cupressus) can be kept in the same container for only a few years.
At that time they must be repotted into a larger container, or preferably planted in the ground. Should you wish to use the same container, root pruning in early spring can help achieve this desire.
Spruces (Picea), such as Colorado blue or Norway, can stay in a pot for a year before they need to go in the ground.
It is feasible to use the same spruce for two Christmases. Keep in mind that spruces, except for dwarfs, grow to be 60’+.
The classic Christmas trees such as Noble fir and Grand fir (Abies procera, Abies grandis) can only be used for one Christmas before they need to go directly into the ground.
Minimize transplant shock by planting these trees before spring rolls into summer. Again, please keep in mind that these trees can grow very large (60-90’) and live for a hundred or more years.
Dwarf conifers are well suited to containers because they grow so slowly. In addition, pines are especially suited to life in a container for several years. The following list provides some ideas for dwarf conifers and pines for long term container plants.
• Abies balsamea ‘nana’: Dwarf Balsam Fir - Very slow growth to 2x3’ shrub. Will tolerate partial shade.
• Chamecyparis obtusa ‘Gracilis’ - Grows 6- 12”/year. Matures at 30’ tall.
• Chamecyparis obt. ‘Compacta’ - 3-6”/year to 10’+.
• Cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon’ - Slow growing to 8-10’ +, conical habit.
• Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’ - Grows 3-6”/year. Matures at 6-12’ tall.
• Picea glauca ‘Conica’: Dwarf Alberta spruce - Grows 3-6”/year. Matures at 8-12’.
• Picea sitchensis ‘Papoose’ - Dense, egg shaped shrub, grows 1-4”/year.
• Pinus artistata: Bristlecone Pine - Grows 3- 6”/year. Matures at 10’+.
• Sciadopitys verticillata: Umbrella Pine – Grows 6-12”/year. Matures at 25’+.
• Tsuga mertensiana: Mountain Hemlock- Grows 3-6”/year.
Please read and follow directions thoroughly. Your tree could die and drop all its needles if it is brought directly into the house from outdoors. Plan to keep your tree indoors for only seven days or less.
Acclimate your tree to warmer temperatures by keeping it on the porch, unheated garage or some sheltered area for three to five days. After this period, you can bring the tree indoors to a cool spot in the house.
Choose a place that is away from heating vents, very sunny windows, wood stoves etc. If you use Christmas lights, use only small, cool burning bulbs.
Ice cubes are an ideal way to water the tree and keep the root ball cool. A cool air humidifier placed nearby will help keep the air moist and cool around the tree.
After the holiday (and seven-day period) remember to recondition your tree to outdoor temperatures. This means putting the tree back on the porch or in the garage for three to seven days. After this period, the tree can go out into the yard, or in the ground.
If you plan to keep the tree in a container for several years, it may be best to keep it in a spot sheltered from the strong winds and hard freezing.
When deciding the size of container, consider the size of the plant currently, the eventual size of the plant, and of course, how much space you have at home. The plant you choose will need some room in the pot to grow in order to thrive.
The pot should be at least 6” larger in all directions than the current root ball. The plant may need to be up potted or root pruned in future years to maintain a healthy specimen. If a pot is greatly larger than the current root ball there may be watering challenges.
All container plants require more water than the same plant in the ground. In the hot summer months, the container may need to be watered every day depending on the size of the pot. If a small plant is placed in a very large container, it can be difficult to keep the actual root ball wet.
Take extra care to moisten the root zone and not just the excess potting soil. If the tree is in the ground, water once a week at a slow trickle for at least one hour.
We recommend potting soil (any) for container plants because it offers the best drainage. Container trees only need to be fertilized once a year in the spring with an all-purpose, slow release fertilizer.
We carry a wide variety of trees year-round. These represent only a fraction of what you will find and are some of our favorites. Note: Viewing a Native Plant will take you into our Native Plant section.
