REPLANTING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
December/January 1991
By the Mother Earth News editors
MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
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IT ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A SHAME TO throw out the lovely tree that meant so much to you during the holidays. But sometime after the Super Bowl and before Valentine's Day, your once spruced—up spruce inevitably must hit the curb before the last dried-up needle hits the floor.
Think there has to be a better way? There is: Purchase a living tree ... one with its roots intact in a burlap—wrapped ball of earth. Live evergreens not only remain beautiful throughout the season (unlike cut trees, which tend to dry out rapidly), but can be replanted once they've decked your halls. In addition to having a permanent, living reminder of Christmas past, you also get the benefit of improving the value of your property, establishing a new windbreak, or providing some welcome summer shade.
Transplanting success starts at the tree lot or nursery. Most tree experts agree that fir, spruce, and pine are all good candidates for post-holiday planting. Actually, almost any variety of tree—as long as its roots are wrapped in burlap—will adapt well to transplantation ... except hemlocks.
When choosing the actual tree, look for a healthy specimen with long, full branches and a large earth ball that's not frozen. We priced some nice five-foot trees from $30 to $70 (almost $20 more on average than comparable chopped cousins, but remember that you're getting something that will last a lifetime instead of just a few weeks).
Once you get your Christmas conifer home, you'll need to "break in" your tree by leaving it in a cool, slightly damp area (such as a garage or basement) for three or four days to lessen the shock of the transition from outdoors to in. During this interim, keep the root ball covered with straw, peat moss, or an old blanket.
When you're ready to carry the tree indoors, stand it in a large tub and pack sawdust, peat moss, or even shredded newspapers around the trunk to help hold it upright. An old cloth draped over the earth ball will help the roots retain moisture. To hide the tub and its contents, simply drape a decorative tree skirt over and around it.
Most horticulturists advise that you keep your living decoration in the house for only a week to 10 days—certainly no more than two weeks. Try to place it near a window and away from warm, dry air escaping from heating vents, fireplaces, and woodstoves.
