Christmas Trees - question for those with green fingers

[Baggybooks]

Do you think a Christmas Tree that has been grown in a pot will survive outside for more than one year?

I've seen some for sale and think it would be a nice idea to have one in the garden on my patio - but not if the frost will kill it.

I don't have anywhere to keep it under cover and I can't plant it properly (I have a typical town house).

Yes, I know what you're thinking. But PEV variances are doddle compared to this dilema!

8)

Helen

[AAT Member]

Hi Helen.

I found this info on a forestry site:

People are beginning to use living plants as their holiday tree of choice. Most living Christmas tree roots are growing in a "ball" of earth. This ball may be wrapped in burlap or set into a container or pot.

The tree can be used very briefly as an indoor tree but must be replanted after Christmas Day. Remember that live trees should not stay inside longer than ten days. They should be placed in a cool spot (some publications suggest as few as three days inside).

Several tips are:

Keep the ball moist throughout and wrap in plastic or place in a tub.
Do not remove burlap; don't remove any soil while in the house.
Limit inside stay from 3 to 10 days.
Gradually remove the tree outside using garage, then shed to planting site. Do not plant in frozen soil.

Scott.

[Baggybooks]

Thanks for that! Just not sure if the roots will be protected from frost if it stays in a pot.

Might take a chance - I think it will look nice and I can put some of my solar lights round it.

Ahhh!

:wink:

Helen

[Bryony]

I have tried this in the past, and have never been successful. But then I didn't have the above advice. I reckon if it is gonna work, that is the way to do it.

Good luck! :D

[Scotty]

I think you take it out of the pot to plant it outside!

Scott.

[X5wrangler]

We bought a live christmas tree a couple of years ago and after christmas just planted it in the garden, 2 years on and it is doing well and has grown. Maybe we were lucky in our ignorance?????

[Baggybooks]

I don't have a bed to plant it in, so it will have to stay in a pot forever and ever :!:

But they must be sturdy plants, mustn't they?

Helen

[AAT Member]

Hi Helen, just to let you know I bought a little Xmas tree in a pot last year (actually to put on my dads grave) and after Xmas I brought it home and left it in the garden, still in its pot, and its fine for this Xmas! :D
I def. dont have green fingers, when I go to the garden centre the plants seem to cry "No! not me, please keep on walking" so these little trees must be fairly hardy if mine has survived.
How's the revision going?
Chelle

[Baggybooks]

Thank you! Definitely sounds like I should get one.

How's the revision going? All I can say with some certainty is that it's going :!:

Half way through an exam at the moment. Stopped to see why there's a fire engine next door. Nothing exciting. No excuses, got to get back to it :!:

Helen

[chelledunleavy]

What???
No hunky firemen? :cry:

I was able to answer to this thread before without logging on, is that right?

Felt like a woman of mystery before....AAT Member!
sounds more official than Chelle wife,mum and dog walker! :D

[Baggybooks]

It seems you can reply to this forum without being logged on - throws me too :!:

Hunky firemen :?:

I live in a relatively small town and know most of them. More chunky than hunky I think :!:

Helen

[chelledunleavy]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Oh well, we can't have it all eh?

I am going to be spending the day trying to learn everything in the Osborne Tutorial and will have to rely on the washing machine for an excuse to stop!

[Baggybooks]

That's not a bad idea. I've found that a cycle on the washing machine equates to a good learning session.

Take a break when you re-load and you won't get in a spin!

Helen

:wink:

[Baggybooks]

The tree is mine :!:

Lady in the shop has had one outside for two years and it's still living :!:

Just need to work out how to get it home :shock:

Helen

[AAT Member]

Hi Helen,

Did you get your tree home ok?

[chelledunleavy]

Oops, that last post was from me, I forgot to log in first!

Chelle

[Baggybooks]

Yes thank you. I managed to get someone I work with to drop it off.

It now sits proudly on my patio...awaiting death by decoration!

Helen

:wink:

[chelledunleavy]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Better that than "death by Chelle" which is what usually happens to my plants!

[Baggybooks]

Lady in the shop has had one outside for two years and it's still living

Not sure if anyone will believe this, but the lady in the shop passed away recently - very suddenly.

The tree has also died.

[chelledunleavy]

Ooh er Helen.

My sturdy little tree which had lasted for two years has also just died!!!

Cue the spooky music.........

[Baggybooks]

All we need is a third, and then it's the end of the world as we know it!

:cry:

[X5wrangler]

I've just planted mine out having had it from Christmas, so I will monitor it closely and let you know if has become the 3rd victim. It looks ok so far but that don't mean anything - obviously! :lol:

[Baggybooks]

We're all doomed...

[Baggybooks]

Oh joy!

There are 3 green shoots on a very brown tree!

:shock:

Don't want to get too excited, but it might be OK.

:shock:

[X5wrangler]

My tree has gone mad, I planted it out the front and it's got 2 inches of new growth on it, I'm shocked too!!

[Baggybooks]

Just shows the power of positive 'Bud'dy thinking!

:lol:

[EvaG]

I bought 2 little trees (3 years ago) with the fake snow on it - to go in the office. In the spring I planted them out because they still looked alive and 3 years on they are flourishing and is now double the size.
Eva :D