Buying a Living Christmas Tree to Plant: Success Tips for a Holiday Tradition

A potted or balled-and-burlapped evergreen can serve as Christmas tree then yard tree. Keys: buy close to Christmas, keep indoors briefly (7–10 days max), prepare planting hole before ground freezes.

Step-by-Step

1. Select tree: Ball-and-burlap or container. Keep in cool spot near window. Use watertight tub, ice cubes on root ball to keep cool/moist.
2. Prepare site (late fall): Dig hole twice root ball width. Fill with mulch, cover excavated soil with tarp.
3. Acclimate & plant: After Christmas, re-acclimate in garage/shed few days. On mild day, plant: remove burlap, backfill, tamp, water deeply, mulch heavily. In harsh climates, protect first winter with wind screen (pallets + draperies).