Q: We decided that this year we wanted a live tree. We can enjoy it inside, then let the grandkids help us plant it after Christmas. We can enjoy the tree and memories for years to come. Do you have any advice?

A: First, keep the tree watered while in the house. But just as important is don’t keep it in the house any more than a week – 10 days max. The longer you keep it warm, the more difficult it will be for the tree to readjust to winter outside. If the weather prevents you from planting it right away, take it outside and protect the root ball. Put it in a shady area and cover the roots with a heavy layer of leaves, straw or mulch to prevent drying and the freeze-thaw cycling.

As you have already found out, the rootball is quite heavy. Moving it is not a one person job. And it is important to recognize that Nature did not create that trunk to act as a handle. Lifting and supporting the weight of the rootball by the stem can cause serious and lasting damage to the tree. If necessary, try setting it on a heavy tarp and sliding it, then tipping and rolling the ball into the planting hole.

Choose the site carefully. Consider the mature size of the tree. A white pine, for example, is fast growing and will get to 50 feet of more in 25 years. Avoid a location under power lines, too close to the house, or where needles will collect in the gutters. Also, it is an evergreen tree, so think about year-round shade and how it may impact garden areas or shade the house or driveway in winter.

Dig the hole ahead of time in case the ground freezes again. Dig just deep enough that the root ball will be sitting at the original depth, but dig the hole twice as wide as the ball. As you backfill, mix in a little super phosphate, about two cups for a typical 6 or 8 foot tree. Settle the soil by watering as you go.

Keep the tree well watered – about once a month during the first growing season. If you selected a Fraser fir, plant in a partly shaded spot and be especially attentive as they do not survive well below 3000 feet elevation.

for additional information http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/selection-and-care-of-living-christmas-trees

Written by Glenn Palmer, originally published in the Asheville Citizen Times, 2010.

So you’ve got a live Christmas tree.  What are you going to do with it after Christmas?

First of all, get it out of the house soon.  Ideally a week in a heated home would be maximum. But remember, nature didn’t put that stem there to be used as a handle. Never pick it up by the stem! The root ball is heavy and you can damage the tree that way.

Choose the planting site now.  Recognize that this six foot tree will grow,  so consider its size twenty years from now, both height and width.  In other words don’t put it under a power line or right next to the front door.

If the ground is frozen I suggest waiting for warmer weather because it’s hard to pulverize frozen soil for backfill.  If you can’t plant it right away store the tree in semi-shade out of the wind.  Keep it vertical and the root ball moist.  Covering the ball with leaves will help to retain moisture and insulate against a freeze-thaw cycle that can damage the roots.

You’ll want the root ball to sit on firm soil at the same depth it was growing in the field. Dig the hole a lot wider than the ball but not deeper.

A ball wrap of natural burlap will decompose so you don’t need to remove it.  Open it and fold it under so that it won’t restrict root growth or act as a wick, drying the soil around the ball. If the wrap is plastic, though, remove the wrap after the tree is in place.

To encourage root growth, mix a little, about a cupful, of superphosphate, 0-46-0, into the hole as you backfill.  Add water to settle the soil and eliminate voids.  Don’t fertilize with nitrogen because you don’t want to encourage the growth of new needles now.

Finally, plan on giving that tree lots of TLC for the next three years.  It’s been through a very traumatic experience, one you want it to forget.

Recycle your Christmas Tree! Christmas trees will be collected by the city of Asheville according to the regular brush collection schedule.  Residents are asked to remove lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands prior to placing the trees to the curb for collection.

Residents can also drop off Christmas trees for recycling at the Buncombe County Landfill located at 81 Panther Branch Road and at private yard waste facilities.

Article written by Glenn Palmer, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.