Christmas Trees Need Not Be Just For Christmas
 (Read 100+ times)
By Ann Evans
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Whether to choose a real, a living, or an artificial tree, at yuletide, is a debate that will always go on; there’s pros and cons to whatever you choose and it all a matter of personal preferences.
However if you go for a real or living tree there are several things to consider. Do you want the tree to last only over the Christmas period and thus condemning it to the recycling depot afterwards or do you want to keep it and replant it.
There’s nothing wrong with recycling it, millions of people go along this line; after all you are putting something good back into the environment in the way of mulch. When you buy a tree without a root ball you are virtually buying a tree that has stopped living like when you buy a bunch of flowers. You buy it solely for the festive season and that is that.
A good way on getting the most from a living tree is to replant it. A living tree has a root ball wrapped in burlap a sort of jute-type material. You can either replant it in the garden as part of a hedgerow or as an ornamental specimen in its own right or simply plant it in a large tub, where it can be brought in again for the following Christmas. Eventually the tree will need to be, if you decide to use the tub method, planted out in the garden probably after a few years. With replanting, you will accumulate quite a nice collection of trees as well as lots of memories of bygone Christmases.
If you live in a particularly cold area a good tip, if you are intending to replant you tree in the garden, is to pre-dig the hole you are placing it in, well in advance of Christmas; the soil will be easier to handle and less chance of being frozen hard; make sure the hole is twice as big as the root ball; you can store the surplus soil in a shed or garage until the replanting takes place. While the empty hole is left unattended put some mulch in it temporarily, to keep it intact.
Whatever method of replanting you choose, garden or tub, make sure that after first buying your tree, you don’t bring it into the house right away, it will give it a shock; acclimatize it for a few days in the garage or basement. The same goes for when you are replanting it out in the open again; let it get use to the outside climate gradually by placing it in an outbuilding for a short period of time.
Make sure, when buying your tree for replanting, that it has a good root ball wrapped in
burlap. Choose a healthy looking tree that’s not turning brown on any of its branches and that the branches are nice and strong and springy; try tugging at the needles to see how firm they stick to the branches, they shouldn’t come off too easily. While the tree is in the house make sure it doesn’t dry out; it will require a little more water than usual because of the warm atmosphere.
When the time comes for planting the tree outside put a handful or two of sand in your pre-prepared hole, mixed in with some soil; loosen some of the roots around the base of the tree, freeing them from the burlap, place it firmly into the hole allowing the root ball to be just flush with the ground; use the soil you have stored to fill in around the tree and press it down firmly. Some nice shovels of mulch together with a good watering will set the tree happily on its way.
If you want the tree to be planted out in a pot or tub just put some mulch around the base and keep the soil damp rather than wet; place it out of direct sunlight and feed it with some fertilizer during the growing season. I know a few people who have enjoyed their Christmas tree for several years using this method.
Whichever tree you choose may it light up your Christmas.
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Author Bio Box: Ann Evans
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
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