CAN YOU REPLANT A CHRISTMAS TREE?

Can you replant a Christmas tree?

This is surely a question that has been asked an innumerable amount of times once the Christmas period is over, and why wouldn't it be? If you have taken the time and effort to secure the best specimen for your hard earned cash, then why not try and keep it for next years Christmas when it is bound to be bigger and better and for no extra cost!

Well, you can replant up a Christmas tree after Christmas, but it will only survive so long as two simple conditions have been met.

The first is that the tree still has an intact and viable root system.

The second is that the tree has been kept in a cool environment and watered when necessary.

Whether your Christmas tree has a root system or not, if it has been kept in a hot room over the Christmas period, or worst still, near a working radiator or open fire, then you have a problem. Your precious tree would have almost certainly dried out to such a point that it won't survive New Years Eve, let alone next Christmas! If this is the case, it will not worth the effort of planting it up for next year - you tree will effectively be dead.

With regards to Christmas trees it is all about preventing them from drying out. Why, because if they do dry out the tree will drop its needles.

Cut Christmas trees

Can you replant a Christmas tree?

To keep it simple, most Christmas trees sold over the Christmas period come without a root system so that they readily fit into most Christmas tree stands.

These are known as cut Christmas trees and will not produce a new root system - however deep you plant it!

To help keeps its needles on for as long as possible it is worth giving the tree a fresh cut at its base, and then keep it in a stand that holds water. That way, it has a chance of drawing up some of the water into its trunk and slow down the risk of it drying out and dropping its needles.

Bare-root Christmas trees

These are worth buying as by having at least some of its roots still intact will enable it to keep its leaves/needles on for longer. However the key factor here is how much root has been left on. Too little and the Christmas tree will suffer the same consequence as a cut tree. Just enough root and there is a chance that your tree will survive if planted up in a container of soil from the onset. Plant it up in a pot filled with soil/compost and remember to regularly watered. At the very least, this will help to keep its needles on for as long as possible.

Potted Christmas trees

Can you replant a Christmas tree?

A potted Christmas tree is one that has been grown in the ground, then lifted with some of its root still intact. Like the bare root trees, the key factor here is how much root has been left on. Too little and the potted tree will suffer the same consequence as a cut tree. Just enough root and there is a good chance that your tree will survive if left in its container.

Keep it outside for a couple of months after the Christmas holiday and with a bit of luck your potted tree with root into its pot. Then - should you wish to - it can be planted directly into the ground.

Pot grown Christmas trees

Pot grown Christmas are your best hope of having a tree survive after Christmas. So long as they are adequately watered and kept in a cool position over the holiday period, they should still be in a perfect condition to cope with the great outdoors. Kept in its pot, or planted in the ground - the choice is yours.

For related articles click onto the following links:
HOW TO GROW A CHRISTMAS TREE
HOW TO GROW A CHRISTMAS TREE FROM SEED
CAN YOU REPLANT A CUT CHRISTMAS TREE?
Christmas Tree
CLOVES AND CINNAMON – SPICES WITH THE SWEET SCENT OF CHRISTMAS
HOW DO YOU STOP A CHRISTMAS TREE FROM GROWING?
HOW TO STOP CHRISTMAS TREES FROM DROPPING THEIR NEEDLES
MERRY CHRISTMAS - FROM WHERE I LIVE