While Christmas trees are grown to be sacrificed (kind of ironic, huh?) , some of us recoil at the thought of cutting down a living tree and watching it slowly die in our living rooms. There are alternatives.
A lovely houseplant, the Norfolk Island Pine, makes a swell Christmas tree. It needs bright to indirect light. Water regularly during warmer months and cut back in the cooler months. They can reach 7 to 8 feet tall and live for years.
The Italian Stone Pine is another option. They do quite well inside and typically have a more traditional shape than the Norfolk Pine. They tend to be on the smaller side, but have very pretty needles. They’re rated zone six and could survive in our climate if planted in a sunny, south-facing, protected spot.
Evergreens typically grown for outdoor use can also be used as Christmas trees, but it can be a bit tricky. And keep in mind that a tree that’s 6 feet tall can weigh 200 pounds or more.
Since they’ve been outdoors, chances are that they’ve become somewhat dormant. Bringing them in to a heated home can stress them to the point of no return.
You’ll want to transition them into your home slowly, getting them gradually warmer over the course of a week. Spraying them with an antidessicant like Wilt-Pruf will help.
Plan on keeping them inside for only 3 to 4 days, then transition them back out. Plant them if the ground isn’t frozen. If it is, try to keep the pot or burlap-wrapped root ball well watered, insulated with straw and out of strong sun or wind.
One way some of our customers keep their living trees alive is by not bringing them inside at all. They keep their decorated tree outside, in the front of a picture window.
And others just decorate one of their larger houseplants.
