Choose a moist soil ball. Trees with frozen soil balls are more prone to die than those housed in moist and unfrozen soil.
Garage your tree. Even though your tree will be dormant, you still need to let your tree gradually acclimate to temperature changes if you plan on displaying it inside. Spending a day or two in the garage before being brought indoors will reduce tree stress associated with rapid and drastic climate changes.
Limit indoor exposure. Five to seven days inside is enough for any live Christmas tree. The less time spent in your home, the better the tree's chance of survival.
Monitor soil moisture while indoors. Remember to check the moisture level of the soil frequently. The soil surrounding the root ball should be kept moist but not wet.
Garage your tree again. When family celebrations end, repeat this brief storage period before planting the tree in its pre-dug hole.
Dig before it freezes.* Then fill the hole with straw and cover it with safety boards until planting time. The soil itself should be removed from the hole and stored in an area (a garage, for example) where it will not freeze. *If ground is already frozen, dig and plant as soon as the ground thaws. As long as the tree has remained dormant and healthy, it will thrive outdoors until it can be planted.
Think before you dig. Most species used for Christmas trees (pine, spruce, and fir) grow to be more than 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Make sure you have enough space allotted for a fully-grown tree.
Plant and water. Remove any burlap from the soil ball, place the tree in its designated spot, and fill the remaining hole with soil removed from the hole earlier. Water the tree thoroughly to sustain it through the winter.
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