Planting a Live Tree
Thank you for purchasing a live tree with a root ball attached as your Christmas tree!
Here are easy instructions on displaying a live tree during the holidays and then planting it in your yard.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Keep your tree indoors as part of your holiday décor for as short a time as is practical. It’s a living tree with roots; it needs to be planted in its permanent outdoor environment as soon as possible.
Inside your home
- While using your live tree as a Christmas tree, keep the burlap covering around the roots. Place the tree in a tub or bucket so you can water it regularly like a houseplant.
- Keep the root ball moist, but do not overwater.
- Keep your tree in a cool spot inside your home.
Getting Ready to Plant
- Once you’re ready to plant outside, choose a location with well-drained soil, in full sunlight, and avoid planting in any wet areas.
- Dig a hole deeper than the root ball and wider than the root ball.
- Place a couple of inches of clean gravel in the bottom of the hole to assist with drainage.
- Cover the gravel with soil.
Planting your tree outside
- Remove the burlap and mesh root bag from your live tree.
- Place the tree in the hole. The top of the root ball should be 1 inch below the surrounding ground surface.
- Place soil around root ball and pack firmly.
- Once the tree is planted and the root ball is covered with packed soil, water thoroughly.
- If desired, mulch around your tree.
- The first summer, make sure the tree gets 1 inch of water per week, but do not overwater (especially if it rains).
- Do not fertilize the first year.
- In subsequent years, fertilize carefully and sparingly.
- Enjoy your new landscape tree and watch it grow for years to come!
