What About Living Christmas Trees

What About Living Christmas Trees?

• As an example, for many years, something called Norfolk Island Pine was offered in little pots around Christmas, with labeling that made it sound like after Christmas, you could just plop it into the ground in your back yard. A little research turned up the disclaimer that they're not guaranteed if they're exposed to temperatures below 40F. Ouch. I have seen very nice specimens that have been raised as indoor plants, or which have been set outside in the summer and brought back in before cool weather set in, but the point is these are indoor plants, and the labeling on the tree shouldn't convince you otherwise.

• Another common "live" miniature Christmas tree is sometimes called an "Italian Stone Pine." The labels on those provide clear instructions for planting midwinter after Christmas, right above the disclaimer that they won't survive above 95F or below -10F, both of which conditions they're likely to encounter in southwest Ohio where I live, and where these are often sold.

• At the more expensive end of the spectrum, you may also see landscapers and gardening suppliers offering potted conifers (mostly pines, firs, and spruce) as "living Christmas trees." Unlike the little Norfolk Island Pines and Italian Stone Pines, these babies cost real money ($75-200), but it's "okay," because you're supposed to be able to plant them in the back yard after Christmas, and so they're a long-term investment (supposedly). I wouldn't buy one unless the supplier guarantees it to be alive and in good health, say by next June. This is especially true if the tree has been exposed to bitter cold before you bring it into the house. More on why these things are so hard to keep alive after you've used them as Christmas trees follows.

• Finally, I'm now seeing little trees, such as Dwarf Alberta Spruce, that CAN survive Northern winters being sold in little pots like the Norfolk Island Pines used to be sold. At the Lowes' stores near my house right now they range from $5 to $30, depending on size. None of these are big enough to use for a big household Christmas tree, but they do have a chance of survival, especially if you get them before they are exposed to bitter cold.

So, how do you give these things a chance at survival? Again, I hinted at it earlier. Once ANY tree has been subjected to a heavy frost or two, it starts to go dormant - even evergreens. Think of it as a sort of "hibernation." If you take ANY living thing that has been "hibernating" outdoors in freezing temperatures, then plop it into a warm living room, you'll put it into a shock from which it may not recover. That's why the directions for the big ($75-200) "Living Christmas Trees" tell you to spend two weeks gradually acclimating the tree to warmer temperatures. Then they tell you to leave the tree indoors for no more than three days. (The dry air in a heated house also stresses the plant, even if you keep the roots moist.) Finally, the instructions tell you to spend another two weeks gradually acclimating the tree to cooler temperatures before you stick it into the ground. This lets the tree start to go dormant again so it doesn't go into shock when it's exposed to very cold temperatures. This CAN be done. Some people do it every year. But if someone gave me $200 and told me I needed to spend it on a "Living Christmas Tree," I'd seriously consider spending $50 on a cut tree and spending the other $150 on a live tree to plant right into the ground - a year from now I'd still have the $150 tree at any rate, and if I didn't, at least I'd have a warranty on it, which you don't usually get on trees you use in your house.

That said, the little Dwarf Alberta Spruce I saw at Lowes have a much shorter list of instructions, and I believe, a greater chance of survival, if you want to go that route. The instructions seem tailor-made for climates where it doesn't get REALLY cold until after Christmas; they assume that the tree hasn't gone dormant before you bring it inside. You can't make that assumption, but you probably CAN find a microclimate somewhere on your grounds that will protect them from sub-freezing temperatures for a few weeks without exposing them directly to heated indoor air. If that is a place where they will get at least some light, there's no reason not to buy the little tree(s) now, so you have some control over what its/their exposure between now and Christmas. This way, you can spare the tree(s) the shock of being allowed to go dormant, then being forced out of and back into dormancy (is that a word?) within a six or eight week period. Be sure to keep them moist. If you want to set them outside on sunny days with mild temperatures, by all means do so. Just bring them in before the temperature drops below 40F or so. Because these trees haven't had a chance to go dormant, they will not be quite so "touchy" about a few days' exposure to heated indoor air. Keeping them watered is a must, though. Then, when the holidays are over, the rest of the process is the same - you move the trees gradually into progressively cooler temperatures until it is safe for them to go into the ground. When you plant them, though, do all the nice things for them you're supposed to do, including providing good planting soil and water.

In December, 2006, I saw several other varieties that were not dwarf trees, such as "Black Hills Spruce" sold the same way. My guess (based on experience with other trees) is that these are a little touchier than the Dwarf Albertas, but that they might survive if you're very careful. One variety that looked great was called a Lemon Cypress. Unfortunately, the label on that plant said it wouldn't survive below -10F, which rules it out as an outdoor plant for us.

In other words, if you want to take a risk on a small "real live tree," read all of the instructions and disclaimers before you get it out of the store. But bringing a large (3' or more) live tree in and back out in midwinter is a huge risk that may not be worth taking unless, perhaps you have already started with smaller trees.

Hope this makes sense; please contact us with any questions or suggestions.

And have a great family Christmas

Paul Race

www.familychristmasonline.com