Who wants to know how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard? So you saw a Christmas tree on sale, bought it, and decided to plant it after the holidays. A live Christmas tree is always a more rewarding, environmentally friendly decision than a cut one. You get to enjoy a Christmas tree on this beloved holiday tradition, and when it’s over, you can replant your tree and enjoy it for years to come.
Getting a potted evergreen to serve as a Christmas tree and a yard tree is quite possible. However, it will be a bit of a challenge. Most trees thrive when they’re planted right after purchasing and during the cool autumn months. This doesn’t mean you can’t get this plan to work for you.
The key to successful planting is timing. Buy the Christmas tree as close to the holiday as you can, and leave it indoors for as brief a period as possible. You should also prepare a spot outside for planting before the ground freezes over so hard you won’t be able to dig.
When you understand how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard, it will help you a lot in saving money and can also bring you the joy of gardening and taking care of your own trees. Let’s get started to find out the answer how to plant your Christmas tree for yourself.
How to Plant Your Christmas Tree in Your Yard
In the time near Christmas, the question “How to plant your Christmas tree in your yard” will be searched a lot to prepare for the most meaningful Christmas season. Let’s find out through the information below.
Before buying the tree, you want to replant, consider digging the hole you’ll be planting the Christmas tree. Chances are the ground hasn’t yet frozen over but by the time Christmas rolls by, you’ll have a frozen ground that’ll be nearly impossible to dig. So having your hole ready will improve the chances of your tree’s survival.
When you go to buy the Christmas tree, make sure you purchase a live tree that still has the root ball intact. Usually, the root ball comes covered with a piece of burlap. If the tree is cut from the root ball, you won’t be able to plant it outside. So make sure that the trunk and the root ball aren’t damaged. You should also consider buying a smaller tree as it’ll find it easier to make the transition from outdoors to indoors and back out again.
If your plan is to replant your Christmas tree outside as soon as the holiday’s end, you should know that you wouldn’t enjoy it indoors for as long as you would a cut tree. This is because you’re putting your live Christmas tree at risk when you live it indoors for too long. Accept the fact that your Christmas tree won’t stay in the house longer than 1 or 1 and half weeks. Any longer and the chances of your tree being able to adapt to outside conditions reduces.
According to the procedure we gave in the how to plant your Christmas tree series, after you purchase your tree, you want to keep it in a sheltered and cold place. When you bought the tree, it was harvested in the cold and had gone into a dormant state. Let’s read on to find out the answer of question how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard.
You want to keep it in that dormant stare for as long as possible to improve its chances of surviving to replant. Leave it in a cold place outdoors until you’re ready to bring it indoors. Once it’s in the house, put it in a draft-free area away from vents and heaters. Keep the root ball wrapped in wet sphagnum moss or plastic. The root ball needs to remain damp the entire time the tree is indoors. Some people recommend watering daily or using ice cubes to keep the root ball moist.
After the holiday, move the tree back outside. Take it back to the cold, sheltered area for about two weeks so it can re-enter its dormant start especially if it has started coming out of dormancy. After the two weeks period, you’re ready to start planting. Remove the burlap or any other covering on the root ball. Slowly place the tree in the hole you dug, and backfill it. Once that’s done, cover the hole with several inches of mulch. Remember to water the tree. Wait until spring before you fertilize.
If you’re still not sure about planting your Christmas tree or you have any questions in the series how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard. Here’s a look at the pros, cons and other question in FAQs.
Pros:
- They last for a year – as long as they’re properly taken care of, add beauty to your yard and act as a habitat for birds.
- They are more environmentally friendly.
- It is less messy as you won’t have to deal with falling needles.
- It is easier to set up and it’s much more stable.
Cons:
- You won’t be able to leave it indoors for more than ten days otherwise you may not be able to replant
- It requires more thought and planning (but the reward is always worth the effort).
- A live tree weighs more than a cut tree – because of its root ball and/or container – meaning you won’t be able to get anything grand.
What Sort of Soil Prefers Christmas Trees?
After knowing how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard, you will be curious as to what kind of soil the Christmas tree is grown in.
Christmas trees prefer sandy, well-drained soils with a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0. If the soil is too acidic or alkaline for prolonged periods, it can hamper tree growth and lead to weak root systems that are more prone to disease and insect infestations.
You should also check for the presence of rocks or other debris in the soil before planting your tree; these can damage roots if left unchecked.
Additionally, make sure there are no high water tables near your chosen location since standing water will create an environment conducive to root rot which can kill your Christmas tree prematurely. Lastly, ensure there is adequate sunlight available so that your tree can get enough energy to survive and thrive as it grows. This is the last step to find out the answer how to plant your christmas tree in your yard.
Can You Replant a Christmas Tree After You’ve Used It
Yes, if the root ball is intact, you can plant your Christmas tree in your backyard. To keep your live Christmas tree after the holiday season, start planning to plant it around Thanksgiving so you can dig a hole for it before the weather becomes cooler. However, if the ground is not frozen, you should be able to dig the hole after the holidays.
FAQs
What time of year is ideal for Christmas tree planting?
In most cases, planting should be done during the spring season. This is especially true for planting on heavy loam or clay soils, which should be done during the spring. Trees that are sensitive to frost healing and winter mortality are those that have been planted in the fall on heavy soils.
Can Christmas trees live in pots?
This is an interesting question in the series how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard. Indoor Christmas trees rarely create problems, but they might lose needles quickly if placed too close to a heat source or if the water in the stand’s well evaporates for too long. Christmas trees aren’t naturally adapted to being grown in pots, so those that are may only live a few years.
How long can a potted Christmas tree be kept?
Your potted Christmas tree will be OK in the pot it comes in for the first year. However, it will need to be re-potted after the first 12 months. This is due to the fact that the root network will be packed into the initial pot and will require a larger pot to expand further.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to plant your Christmas tree in your yard, all that’s left to do is go out and buy one. We hope these tips were helpful and you enjoyed reading them. If you have any other questions that weren’t answered here, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. And, of course, if you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends! Thanks for reading at forgardening.org and see you next time at articles.
