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X-mas tree planting

17 years ago

Ok, I don't know too much about this subject, but I gave my opinions to my brother-in-law anyway. Looking to see what you all think.

My brother-in-law just purchased a 6 foot Doug Fir with a burlapped rootball. He wants to bring it in his house and use it for an X-mas tree, then after X-mas plant it out side. He is not going to remove the Burlap inside. He plans to just put it in a large pot and decorate it. Then in a month or so bring it back outside and unbag it and put it in a hole which he has already dug for it. We love on Long Island in NY Zone 7.

I could be wrong, but I told him it didn't stand a chance if he brought it inside to 70 degree temps for 1 month and then back outside to Jan temps in NY and tried to plant it.

Thoughts Ideas?

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Comments (4)

pineresin
17 years ago
"I could be wrong, but I told him it didn't stand a chance if he brought it inside ..."

Not at all, you're absolutely right!

Resin
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
17 years ago
A 6' Doug fir with a B&B rootball is a BIG, heavy thing to move about. Is he up for that? Cuz a lot of moving is involved. First you need to acclimatize the tree - generally they suggest storing in an unheated but above freezing location (like a garage or covered porch) for 10-14 days. Make sure rootball is thoroughly watered before bringing inside (gonna increase the weight). Keep in the coolest possible location, well away from any heat vents and fireplace. Leave in the house NO LONGER than 7 days - 4-5 is preferred. If decorated, turn off lights as often as possible and if you can manage it without wrecking the ornaments, mist daily. Make sure the rootball never dries out - some growers recommend dumping a tray of ice cubes on top of the rootball daily. As they melt, they will soak into the burlap covering and keep the soil hydrated. Once the tree is ready to go back outdoors, you will need to reverse the acclimatization process before planting.

The biggest mistake most folks make is attempting to enjoy their living Christmas tree indoors for too long. These plants cannot stand the heat and and low humidity for more than just a few days without drying out or breaking dormancy, both of which will compromise their future substantially. And DO NOT use any preservative or nutrient solution in your watering regime.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Better idea: plant the tree and decorate it outside! He can use scads of lights, and bird friendly decorations (fruit, popcorn, suet, etc.).

Then he can support the multi million dollar tree farm business and buy a precut tree for inside.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
i did it with smaller ones ....

i closed the heat off .. so the room stayed 65'ish .. closed doors to the heated areas .....

misted it in the mornings .. so it had all day to dry before the lights were on at night... never left the lights on for very long ....

spread plastic on the carpet .... to protect that ...

stuck the B&B into pots for easier moving ....

got it outside ASAP after Xmas .... into predug hole ... threw it in .... ball and all ... and mulched extremely well ... dug up and planted properly in spring.... because in zone 5 ... the ground might be frozen after Xmas .... might not be the case in z7 ...

i like rhizo's idea ... set it up outside in front of the picture window ..... and then plant it afterwards ....

really now ... do you prefer to be the know-it-all brother... or would you rather let him have his fun .. and bite your tongue .... in other words... is it better to be right .. or have family harmony with his sister ..... YOUR WIFE ..... or i suppose your sister .. anyway ....

my best advice.. let him screw it up .. and have a good laugh with him afterwards .... whether he succeeds or not ....

ken
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