Norfolk Pine can be saved as a house plant

Q. I bought a Norfolk Island pine for Christmas. Can I plant it outside in the spring?

A. The Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific between Australia and New Zealand, where the air temperature generally ranges from 50 to 79 degrees. Therefore, it does not survive in many areas of the United States, including Illinois. However, it does make a beautiful Christmas tree, and later, an elegant, and long-lived houseplant when given proper care. It does not like having its roots disturbed, so it should be repotted every two or three years using a good houseplant potting medium, not garden soil. Once it gets over 3 feet tall, just replace the top few inches of potting soil instead of repotting the plant entirely.

The Norfolk Pine needs at least two hours of direct light per day. the light source is coming from just one direction, rotate the plant weekly to keep it from tilting toward one side. To keep growth natural looking and symmetrical don't crowd the pine with other plants or by placing it too close to the window

The ideal daytime temperature for this plant ranges from 60 to 70 degrees and slightly cooler at night. What is most challenging is its high relative humidity needs. Norfolk Island pine thrives at 50 percent relative humidity. To increase moisture in the air during the winter months, mist the plant with water several times a week. If its needles seem dry and begin to turn yellow, it likely needs more water and more humid air.

Water whenever the soil does not feel moist using room temperature water. Keep the tree moist at all times, but never let it get too wet or soggy. The plant may enter a period of dormancy in winter, especially if kept in a cool room. In this case, water it less frequently than usual. Water the plant when the top inch or so of the soil in the pot feels dry. Use enough water to allow a little excess to escape through the bottom drainage holes.

Finally, Norfolk pines drop their lower branches in response to low light and dry conditions. Once branches drop off, they do not grow back. Remove any dead branches with pruning snips. However, don't prune the top of a Norfolk pine. Instead, limit growth by not fertilizing and restricting pot size.

Fertilize your Norfolk pine once a month in the spring with houseplant fertilizer. You can keep it outside in the summer. However, since it can burn easily, put it in a semi-sunny spot to acclimatize it to the warmth.

Q. Each year we purchase a live Christmas tree, and within a few weeks, have to throw it out. Is there anything we can do to recycle it in addition to having it chipped into mulch?

A. Unfortunately, once the parties are over and the season has passed, the once-splendid tree transforms into the living-room behemoth, and the job of disrobing it of its trimmings and tossing it carelessly outside becomes just one more household chore. However, before you follow this unfortunate holiday tradition, take heed. There are several ways to extend the life of your Christmas tree.

Christmas trees make an excellent bird feeder for your backyard. Stick the tree in the ground or leave it in its stand. A wide variety of birds will be attracted by suet, cranberry and popcorn strings, stale bread and dried chopped fruit in mesh bags. If you grow sunflower seeds, simply hang the whole sunflower head on the tree. Your family will discover that chickadees, song sparrows, cardinals and a host of other birds come for the food and stay for the shelter. Be kind to wildlife by removing all tinsel and wire ornament hangers before putting the tree outdoors. Cut off all the branches and use the trunk to edge a garden. Or, place the trunk strategically in your garden as a resting spot for birds, squirrels and other little critters.

Place the whole evergreen boughs on perennial beds to protect them from winter freezes and spring thaws. The boughs provide the steady temperatures that most plants need. The trunk can be sawed into logs and burned in your fireplace. Note: Don't burn the branches, since they can send off sparks.

Both trunk and branches can be used by woodworking hobbyists to make any number of items, such as Christmas reindeer, birdhouses, candlesticks or paperweights.

If you have a balsam tree, you can use the needles to make aromatic potpourris and sachets to enjoy year-round. After removing the decorations, strip branches of their needles, which will retain their pungency indefinitely in brown paper bags. To make a sachet, sew together (three-quarters of the way around) two small pieces of material, line with muslin and add needles; then sew up the open end.

Cut some long branches off the tree. These branches make great support stakes in your garden. Larger branches and trunks can be used to make rustic fences, arbors, or garden crafts.

Cut the branches into small pieces, and add to your compost pile for use in the spring.

• Provided by Mary Boldan. Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, open 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. Call (847) 298-3502 or email Cookcountymg.com@gmail.com.