Keep Norfolk pine indoors to extend its life

Q. I want to buy a small 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 (50-60 degree) 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. During the winter months, the plant tends to be in a period of rest, at which time there you should not fertilize.

Q. Our yard is cluttered with fallen woody debris from trees. Is there anything we can do with this fallen wood besides throwing it out.

A. Try putting the twigs to good use in your home and garden. Recycle them for other purposes within your garden or even in your home. There are tons of different creative projects you can do with your tree debris; here are a few suggestions:

• Brush pile: Take your fallen branches and create a brush pile as a habitat for the birds and other small wildlife that may live around your home. As the wood begins to decompose, it will enrich your soil.

• Garden design: Take large branches and turn them into a variety of creations, perfect for adding a little rustic appeal to your landscape. You might nestle a limb into a woodland garden, place a lone log as a rustic seat or you take a bunch of branches and stems and turn them into ladders, fences, "steppingstones stumps for holding containers, garden stakes for support of other plants. You can also construct simple surroundings for compost heaps. The bottom line; be creative.

• 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.