How to select and care for a living Christmas tree

SALT LAKE CITY — Are you thinking of getting a living Christmas tree this holiday season? Here are some tips and things to be aware of from KSL Greenhouse Host Taun Beddes.

What to choose

Living Christmas trees come in many different sizes, both big and small. The smaller ones can be a great addition to your end tables, but Taun said that Utah’s cold and dry climate prevents them from lasting.

“A lot of times if you keep them in [for] too long, they will send out new needles or new growth,” said Taun. “The problem is they don’t make great long-term houseplants, and a lot of times they are not completely hardy here.”

One thing to keep in mind about smaller trees is that you have to think of them as houseplants because they won’t be able to go outside.

Some common indoor trees include cryptomerias and Norfolk Island pines. If you’re looking for a more long-lasting tree, Taun said the Norfolk Island pine will last for years.

“It tolerates cooler temperatures indoors as long as it has bright light, and they can live for 30, 40, 50 years.”

On the flip side, a lot of the fir trees usually don’t hold past January.

Some options for bigger trees include spruces and sometimes pines. These are cold hardy and can be very heavy. 

“For a five-foot tree, you could pay $150 or $200 and that tree could easily weigh 150 to 200 pounds.”

Bigger trees come in a pot, meaning there is about two feet of space above the ground in the pot that you have to deal with. So if you have a tree that’s five feet tall, that extra space in the pot it’s sitting in will make it look seven feet tall.

Care tips

In order to properly care for a living Christmas tree, you need to think about the timing. According to Taun, they can only be indoors for about five to six days.

If you’ve already purchased one, you can leave it outside and then bring it in the week before Christmas. After about five days, you can move it to your garage and keep it there for a couple days to let it transition before moving it outdoors again.

“You have to store the tree on the north side of your home, watering it every three or four weeks until you can plant it,” said Taun.

It’s crucial to bring the tree back outside because otherwise the tree may break dormancy.

“Then you’re in trouble because you have the tree sending out new growth, and the tree will think it’s spring because it’s indoors and it won’t survive long-term because the light levels are too low in your house.”

Read more from the KSL Greenhouse show:

• Cutting down your Christmas tree this year? Here’s where to start
• How to keep the voles away
• Time to winterize those gas-powered garden equipment

KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.