A Living Christmas Tree
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
A Living Christmas Tree Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent Did you know the use of evergreens at Christmas predates the birth of Christ? The use of evergreens to celebrate winter festivals goes back thousands of years from the Pagans to the Romans to early Christians. The first decorated Christmas tree is credited to Latvia in 1510. Early Christmas trees were illuminated with small candles. Christmas tree lights can be traced back to Thomas Edison. His assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric Christmas lights in 1882. In 1890, the Edison Company published a brochure offering lighting services for Christmas.
Nearly 98% of all Christmas trees are grown on farms, while only 2% are cut from the wild. However, I would venture a guess that that number is considerably higher in Montana where there are fewer tree farms. Artificial trees started becoming popular in the early 20th century. They were first made from goose feathers and today are made from PVC plastic.
The tradition even in the early times was cut trees or boughs. However, in recent years there has been a new trend for living Christmas trees. This is a true living plant that can be planted after the holidays or in the spring. One advantage of this option is that there is less waste, and it is regenerative. However, it is not without its challenges.
If you decide to try a living tree, one of the most important steps is choosing the right tree for the environment. Even though you plan to decorate it for Christmas, the long-term goal is a landscape tree. In Broadwater County, choose a tree that is for zone four or lower, tolerant to alkaline soils and drought tolerant. Options include Rocky Mountain Juniper, Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine, Blue Spruce, Black Hills Spruce or Ponderosa Pine. Fraser fir is a popular potted living Christmas tree, but it will not do well in Montana’s climate. The trees will either be in containers or balled and burlapped (B&B). B&B trees are typically larger and a little more difficult to maneuver.
Unlike cut trees, live trees should remain outside until right before Christmas. Live trees should only be kept indoors for 7 to 10 days. Some research even suggests no more than 4 to 5 days. Any longer and they will start to come out of dormancy and cannot be taken out into the cold again without causing injury. If you plan to have the tree inside for longer than a week, then plan to have it inside until spring after the threat of frost has passed.
Once the tree is inside, it can be treated like a houseplant. Even though it is dormant, it still needs water. Evergreen trees transpire through their needles throughout the winter. Place the tree inside a pot or tub to collect excess water and avoid making a mess. If possible, keep it away from heat sources such as vents or a fireplace to keep it from drying out. LED or small electric lights should be used as they generate less heat than larger bulbs.
Do not plant your tree immediately after the holidays. It is unlikely to survive, and it may not even be possible if the ground is frozen. Keep it in a cool sheltered place like an unheated structure, shed or protected location. Add mulch around the root system or container. It may need to be watered periodically throughout the winter. When spring finally arrives, it is time to plant!
MSU Extension has many resources to help with tree planting and care as well, so don’t hesitate to reach out to the Broadwater County Office at 406-266-9242 or allison.kosto@montana.edu with all your questions. Happy Holidays!
