Christmas Trees To Plant Outside: From Holiday Star To Garden Gem

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Every January, a sad sight lines curbs across the country: dry, brittle Christmas trees, their holiday magic faded, waiting for the wood chipper. It feels like such a waste, doesn’t it? A beautiful tree, celebrated for a few weeks, then discarded. But what if the story didn’t have to end there?

There’s a growing movement among gardeners who want to extend the holiday spirit in a more meaningful, lasting way. They’ve discovered the joy of using living, rooted christmas trees to plant outside after the festivities are over. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a beautiful commitment to sustainability and creating a living landscape filled with memories.

Imagine that small, sparkling tree from your living room growing into a majestic evergreen in your yard, providing shade, sheltering birds, and reminding you of happy holidays for decades to come. It’s not just possible; it’s one of the most rewarding gardening projects you can undertake.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully transition your holiday centerpiece into a permanent garden feature. Let’s get growing!

The Beautiful Benefits of Planting Your Christmas Tree

Choosing a living tree is more than just a purchase; it’s an investment in your garden’s future. The rewards go far beyond just saving one tree from the landfill. This approach is central to the idea of having eco-friendly christmas trees to plant outside.

Here are just a few of the wonderful benefits:

  • A Truly Sustainable Holiday: This is the ultimate green choice. You reduce holiday waste, support nurseries that grow living trees, and add a carbon-absorbing plant to your local ecosystem. It’s a win for you and a win for the planet.
  • Create Lasting Memories: Your tree becomes a living landmark. You can watch it grow alongside your family, marking the passage of time and holding the memories of each holiday season in its branches.
  • Enhance Your Landscape: Evergreens provide year-round color, texture, and structure to a garden. They serve as excellent privacy screens, windbreaks, or simply stunning focal points.
  • Provide a Home for Wildlife: As your tree matures, it will offer vital shelter and nesting spots for birds and other small creatures, especially during the harsh winter months.
  • Long-Term Value: While a living tree might cost more upfront than a cut one, it’s a one-time purchase that adds permanent value and beauty to your property for years to come.

Choosing the Right Christmas Trees to Plant Outside

Success starts with selecting the right tree from the very beginning. Not all evergreens are created equal, and not every tree sold for Christmas is suitable for planting. This is the most important part of our christmas trees to plant outside guide.

You’re looking for a tree that is specifically sold as “living,” meaning it has its root system intact, either in a container or a burlap-wrapped ball (this is often called balled-and-burlapped or B&B).

Key Factors to Consider Before You Buy

Before you fall in love with a tree at the nursery, ask yourself these crucial questions:

  1. What’s Your USDA Hardiness Zone? This is non-negotiable. A tree must be rated for your climate zone to survive the winter. A Fraser Fir that thrives in North Carolina (Zone 6) won’t survive a Minnesota winter (Zone 4). You can easily find your zone online.
  2. How Much Space Do You Really Have? That cute 5-foot spruce will one day be a 50-foot giant with a 20-foot spread. Read the plant tag carefully to understand its mature size. Plan your planting spot accordingly, staying far away from power lines, buildings, and property lines.
  3. What Are Your Garden Conditions? Does your chosen spot get full sun (6+ hours) or partial shade? Is your soil sandy, loamy, or heavy clay? Match the tree’s needs to your site conditions for the best chance of success.

Top Evergreen Varieties for Your Garden

Here are a few popular and reliable choices that make excellent living Christmas trees and beautiful landscape plants. Don’t worry—they are all wonderful options!

  • Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens): Famous for its beautiful silvery-blue needles and classic pyramid shape. It’s very hardy (Zones 2-7) and drought-tolerant once established, but needs full sun and good air circulation.
  • Norway Spruce (Picea abies): A fast-growing spruce with graceful, drooping branchlets. It’s a tough, adaptable tree that does well in Zones 3-7 and tolerates a variety of soil types.
  • Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri): A classic Christmas choice for its fragrant, soft needles and sturdy branches. It prefers cooler climates (Zones 4-7) and well-drained, acidic soil. It does not tolerate heat and humidity well.
  • Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): Not a true fir, but beloved for its soft, green needles and sweet scent. It grows very large and is best suited for bigger properties in Zones 4-6.
  • White Pine (Pinus strobus): A softer-looking option with long, delicate needles. It’s fast-growing and adaptable to many conditions (Zones 3-8) but its branches are less suitable for heavy ornaments.

How to Plant Your Christmas Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bringing your tree from the living room to the garden requires a bit of care and planning. The key is to minimize stress on the tree at every stage. Follow these christmas trees to plant outside tips for a smooth transition.

Step 1: Acclimate Your Tree Before Bringing It Inside

A sudden move from the cold outdoors to a warm, dry house can shock the tree. The secret is a slow transition. Place your new tree in a sheltered, unheated space like a garage or enclosed porch for 2-3 days before bringing it into your home.

Step 2: Care For Your Tree Indoors

Your living tree is a temporary houseguest, not a piece of furniture. Its time indoors should be as short and comfortable as possible.

  • Keep it Cool: Position the tree in the coolest part of the room, away from heat sources like vents, fireplaces, or sunny windows.
  • Stay Hydrated: The root ball must never dry out. Place it in a large waterproof tub and check the moisture daily. Water it thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry.
  • Limit its Stay: This is the most important rule! A living tree should be indoors for no more than 7 to 10 days. Any longer, and it may break dormancy, making it vulnerable to a killing frost when moved back outside.

Step 3: Plant Your Tree Outside

The moment has arrived! Once the holidays are over, it’s time to give your tree its permanent home. Following these christmas trees to plant outside best practices is crucial.

  1. Acclimate Again: Just like you did on the way in, move the tree back to the garage or porch for another 2-3 days to help it readjust to the cold.
  2. Prepare the Planting Hole: Pro Tip: Dig the hole in late fall before the ground freezes! This makes planting day a breeze. The hole should be 2-3 times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself.
  3. Remove the Container: Gently remove the tree from its pot. If it’s in burlap, cut away and remove all the burlap and any wire cage once the tree is in the hole. Burlap left on the root ball can wick moisture away from the roots.
  4. Position Correctly: Place the tree in the center of the hole. The spot where the trunk meets the roots (the root flare) should be level with or slightly above the surrounding ground. Planting too deep is a common mistake.
  5. Backfill and Water: Fill the hole back in with the native soil you removed. Don’t add a lot of amendments, as this can discourage roots from growing out into the surrounding soil. Water deeply and slowly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
  6. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or pine bark) around the base of the tree, but don’t let it touch the trunk. This insulates the roots, conserves moisture, and suppresses weeds.

Your First-Year Christmas Tree Care Guide

The first year is the most critical time for your newly planted evergreen. It’s focusing all its energy on establishing a strong root system. Your job is to provide consistent care to help it along.

Watering Wisely

Your tree’s biggest need during its first year is consistent moisture. Water it deeply every 7-10 days unless you’ve had significant rainfall. Continue watering through the fall until the ground freezes solid. This helps prevent winter burn, a type of dehydration.

To Fertilize or Not to Fertilize?

Hold off on the fertilizer for the first year. You want the tree to focus on root growth, not tender new top growth that can be easily damaged. The mulch will provide a slow release of nutrients as it breaks down. You can start a gentle feeding schedule in its second or third year if needed.

Pruning Pointers

Your tree won’t need much pruning right away. The only cuts you should make in the first year are to remove any branches that were broken or damaged during the move. Let it settle in and find its natural shape.

Overcoming Common Problems with Christmas Trees to Plant Outside

Even with the best care, you might encounter a few bumps in the road. Don’t panic! Most issues are easily managed.

Transplant Shock

It’s very common for a new tree to show signs of stress, like dropping some needles or not showing much new growth in the first season. This is transplant shock. The best cure is consistent watering and patience. As long as the buds on the branches are green and pliable, your tree is alive and well.

Pest and Disease Issues

Trees stressed from being indoors can sometimes attract pests like spider mites. Check for fine webbing on the branches. A strong spray of water can often dislodge them. The best defense against most diseases is to ensure you plant in a spot with good drainage and air circulation.

Browning Needles

Some needle drop from the interior of the tree is normal. However, if the tips of the branches are turning brown, it’s a sign of water stress—either too little or too much. Check the soil moisture about 4-6 inches down to determine the cause and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Christmas Trees

Can I plant any Christmas tree I buy from a lot?

No, this is a very common point of confusion. A standard “cut” Christmas tree has no roots and cannot be planted. You must purchase a “living” tree that comes with its entire root ball intact in a pot or a burlap wrap.

How long can I keep my living Christmas tree indoors?

This is critical: keep your tree indoors for a maximum of 7 to 10 days. The warm, dry air of a home can quickly damage the tree and cause it to break dormancy, making it unable to survive the transition back to the cold.

When is the best time to plant my tree outside?

The ideal time is immediately after the holiday season, as soon as you’ve finished enjoying it. If the ground is frozen solid, you can store the tree in a sheltered location (like the garage) and keep the root ball moist until a mid-winter thaw allows you to plant.

My tree dropped a lot of needles after planting. Is it dying?

Not necessarily! It’s likely experiencing transplant shock. It’s normal for the tree to shed some of its older, interior needles as it diverts energy to growing new roots. Check the buds on the branch tips—if they are plump and flexible, your tree is still alive.

A Gift That Keeps on Growing

Planting your Christmas tree is so much more than a gardening task. It’s an act of hope, a commitment to sustainability, and a beautiful way to create a living legacy in your own backyard.

By following this guide, you’re giving your tree the very best chance to thrive, transforming a temporary decoration into a permanent and cherished part of your landscape.

So this year, consider starting a new tradition. Give a gift that grows with you, year after year. Your garden, the local wildlife, and future holidays will thank you for it. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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