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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Forever Christmas Trees

We need more ornaments!
The great debate continues... what's best for the environment?

Buy a fake tree? 
Buy a live tree?

Well, they're not exactly 'live' if they're leaning against a chain link fence in the Christmas tree lot at your local supermarket.

There is another option. 
Buy a REAL, live tree!

Yesterday, I decked out our Christmas tree from 4 years ago. We bought her live and then transplanted the tree into the garden, the following spring. This year, she's sporting some festive twinkling lights.

Tips:
- If you opt for a truly live, potted evergreen keep it in the house for a maximum of ten days.
- Set it outside, in the pot, in the shade, through the rest of the winter. (Water if there is no snow cover.)



Our tree doesn't look anything like this!

Good 'Christmas trees' for gardens:

Norway Spruce is a popular cut Christmas tree but not so great in the garden. She drops her needles all year long.
  • Happiest in High Altitudes: Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) has soft needles and strong boughs, ideal for heavy ornaments. USDA zones 4-7.
  • Korean Fir (Abies koreana ) grows to approximately 40 ft, a perfect size for most yards. USDA zones 5-7.
  • Noble Fir (Abies procera) is an absolutely stunning silvery-blue tree with fragrant tips, though too tender for the mountains anywhere but the Pacific Northwest. USDA zones 7-10.





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4 comments:

  1. ProfessorRoush1:14 PM

    Kate, I'm with you except that what is offered as a live Christmas tree in this area won't survive the following winter outside...nobody selling Fraziers or Nobles here except cut off and leaning against the fence.

    To that end, I'm a "live" tree guy...at least they can be ground up for mulch or dropped into the local reservoir to shelter fish.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bonnie K5:29 PM

    I wish I had room for a live spruce in front. I love the look of Christmas lights under the snow. Great photos.

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  3. Melospiza9:19 AM

    We have so many live Christmas trees in our pretty-small yard already that I'm afraid to add any more. We do the tree-thinning Christmas tree cuts at the Forest Service instead--we make roaring sounds as we cut, like a forest fire.

    Haha. Just kidding on that one. But I'm growing to love our little spindly self-grown trees.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Liz6:02 PM

    One year we just decked out a Norfok Island Pine in our apartment. It lasted another year before falling prey to a moving purge. I love the idea of buying a tree that later goes in the garden.

    ReplyDelete

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