How to plant a tree after the holidays

Some people find it meaningful to buy a live evergreen tree to use as a Christmas tree and then plant it outdoors for future generations to enjoy the holiday memories.

But, if you're buying a living tree that will probably be sold as "balled and burlapped," be sure to plan ahead. To be successful, it requires more planning, care and work than just using a cut tree.

Dig the hole to plant the tree before the ground is frozen solid. It helps to cover the hole and the removed dirt with straw and burlap to keep from freezing until needed at planting time after the holidays.

Be sure the tree is kept well watered inside the house, since it can quickly dehydrate indoors, adding more stress to it as it goes outside. Using an anti-desiccant on the needles at planting will help reduce moisture loss outdoors. Keep the tree watered after planting as much as soil conditions will allow.

Choose a suitable planting site for the tree in the fall. Buying a smaller tree will make it easier to handle, will be less expensive and usually can survive better. Large trees will have significant weight to have to haul in and out of the house.

The planting site should provide adequate space for the tree to grow and develop. Remember, trees can grow to significant heights and diameter.

Prior to bringing it into the house, store the tree in a cool location but don't allow the soil ball to freeze. Keep the soil ball moist. Before bringing the tree indoors, wrap the soil ball in plastic or place it in a tub.

Place the tree in a cool location within the home. Avoid sites near heat sources, such as a fireplace or registers. Keep the soil ball moist throughout the tree's stay indoors. Check the soil daily and water as needed. Decorate the tree carefully. Ornaments, tinsel and lights (preferably the miniature types) can be used. Don't apply flocking or artificial snow to the tree.

The tree should be kept indoors for only a short period. The shorter the tree's stay indoors, the better its chances of survival when planted outdoors. The maximum stay indoors should be seven to 10 days. If the tree is kept indoors for a longer period, the buds may break dormancy. When planted outdoors, the succulent new growth will be killed by cold temperatures.

Shortly after Christmas, remove the tree from the house and place it in a cool location. Don't place the tree directly outdoors. The sharply colder temperatures outdoors may injure the tree. A brief stay in a cool garage or shed allows the tree to become gradually acclimated to cooler temperatures.

The soil ball should not be allowed to freeze during this period. On a relatively mild winter day, plant the tree outdoors. Water well and mulch the area heavily to prevent the soil from freezing immediately.

For more information, talk to a Master Gardener at University of Illinois Extension Kane County by calling (630) 584-6166. Iowa State Extension also has a good fact sheet on using live trees at www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1996/11-8-1996/cmtree.html.

Written by John Church, University of Illinois Extension Educator for Kane County in Natural Resources.