UC Master Gardener: Christmas tree choices – cut or living?

Did you get your Christmas tree yet? There's still time. And one decision to make is whether to buy a cut tree or a living tree. There are so many options for cut trees – Scotch pine, spruce, noble fir, Douglas fir and more. It's too late to get a permit to trek into forests in Placer, El Dorado or Tahoe, so put a note in your calendar to get one next year well before December. Fortunately, for a cut tree, there are lots of tree lots. You can even wait until closer to Christmas and perhaps get a deal. Another option is to consider a living tree to later establish in your landscape and make holiday memories over the coming years. Think about this as an investment for the future, as live Christmas trees can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet and can be up to 15 feet wide. Think about the fun of decorating that! Think also about where you will plant it – more later. Here's some information to prepare you for a living tree in your home. A living tree can cost more than a cut tree. You should only keep the tree in your home for seven to 10 days. Any buds on the tree need to stay dormant to avoid winter kill when you move it outdoors. You must not let the soil or root ball dry out while it's in the house, so place it in a tub and keep it moist with straw or peat moss packed around it to retain the moisture. Do not flock the tree. You might even consider not adding lights so as not to burn any needles. A living tree can be very heavy – as much as 200 pounds for a six-foot tree and maybe more, as you need to keep it moist. Living trees are sold as balled and burlapped. If you can, check to see if it has a healthy-looking root system. You may also find a container tree which will be lighter and easier to handle. A small tree is lighter and will have a better chance of survival outside. Have a transition plan to move it outdoors. First, put it in your garage or protected area for a few days, especially if it's extremely windy and cold. Don't just immediately plant it. When you are ready to plant it, choose a sunny site with well-drained soil. Once planted, water thoroughly. Then take a look at how often to water year round: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanHort/Water_Use_of_Turfgrass_and_Landscape_Plant_Materials/Estimating_Water_Requirements_of_Landscape_Trees/ A few cautions: Conifers, (fir, spruce and pines) are prone to injury from the cold because they lose water through their needles during the winter. Scotch pines often succumb to insects or disease and won't last more than 25 years. Kudos if you choose to go with a living Christmas tree despite these cautions. You've added to your landscape and not a landfill.