Living Christmas trees should be planted before spring
Q. With the birth of our first grandson last week, my wife thinks it would be nice to plant a live Christmas tree next year as a memory of his first Christmas. Our lot is large and needs a windbreak as well. We thought of doing one annually for the next six or seven years. Is this a good idea?
A. Any fellow married long enough to have grandchildren knows any idea your wife has is a good idea. The idea is a great one, and practical, with the exception of rolling the dice with Chicago winter weather. The upside is that as your grandson grows, the evergreen you choose will grow along with him and will be a reminder of Christmases past. The downside is that you have to do some planning and preparation and hope for decent weather after Christmas.
The first choice would be the tree itself. Black Hills spruce is tolerant of some shade and adverse conditions. Norway and Colorado spruces are good choices and fast growers. Many evergreen trees sold in plant nurseries and garden centers would work. The limiting factor is often what is available in late summer or early fall at local garden centers. You could purchase a balled and burlapped, or container grown tree, any time during the growing season, but then the challenge will be to keep it fat and happy in the container without drying out until you want it indoors. Consequently, you may wish to purchase stock from a reputable nursery as the tree will have had an easier life than being exposed to the sun and drying winds of a parking lot or concrete sales area.
Bear in mind that evergreens tend to get 40 to 70 feet tall, depending on the species and growing conditions. The six trees planted 6 feet apart when they're 3 feet tall will look nice at the moment, but 20 years later will be crowded together, stunted and far from the vista you imagined. A 40-foot-tall Colorado Blue spruce is going to require a good 15-foot radius. Three properly spaced trees will look more pleasing than six crowded together as they grow.
As temperatures begin to drop in October, keep the tree's root ball moist and keep it in a protected area or an unheated garage that receives some light until Christmas.
Before a hard freeze, prepare either the permanent planting site, or a site where the tree can be put in the ground until a more opportune planting time. In either case, dig a hole and then cover it with a large, sturdy cardboard box, or anything that will allow you access to the hole after Christmas. With Chicago winters being unpredictable, you may find your yard covered in 12 inches of snow come Jan. 3. This scenario makes the temporary site a good fallback position. Somewhere on the lee side of your garage, or house, where the wind, snow and ice won't be so severe.
Being brought indoors after your tree has settled down for a long winter's nap will be something of a culture shock to it. Bring it indoors at the most a week before Christmas and get it in the ground right after New Year's Day. The less time the tree spends indoors, the better its chances of survival in the long run. Bear in mind a 24- to 36-inch spruce with earth around the root ball will weigh a goodish bit. Place the tree away from heat vents and out of any direct sun, if possible. Be sure to protect the floor with a waterproof mat to ensure you don't have any water damage when the tree is watered, which you will need to do vigilantly. Test the dampness of the root ball daily with your finger and keep the dirt moist.
As soon as practical after Christmas, get the tree in the ground and mulch it heavily with straw or dry leaves, or newspapers. If conditions allow, water the tree, if not, protect it from drying winds and get it into the permanent site. Reassess your efforts as soon as the weather breaks. Alternatively, trees can also be kept in a garden shed or suitable garage and planted in early spring to avoid losing the tree to a harsh winter.
With a bit of luck, you will be successful and your grandson will have a memento of Christmas together with you as he grows.
- Matt Steichmann
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines. Call (847) 298-3502 or email northcookmg@gmail.com.