Hi, I'm Tom Butzler, an Extension Educator at Penn State.

And on this episode of Year Round Gardening, I'll show you the basics of caring for living Christmas trees.

We'll talk about what you should consider when choosing a live Christmas tree, watering, and more.

Let's take a look.

[music playing] When it comes to Christmas trees, people most often choose either artificial trees or cut trees, but there are also living trees people can purchase.

Unlike cut trees, living Christmas trees still have their roots.

This means you can replant the tree after the holidays.

There are two types of living Christmas trees-- trees in containers and balled and burlapped trees, also known as B&B.

Container trees are small and usually are put on tabletops.

They're often not ready for planting, especially during the winter, so they should be kept indoors.

The accompanying tag will indicate if it's ready to plant and if it's winter-hardy.

Balled and burlapped trees will be the size of a common Christmas tree.

They have large root balls wrapped in burlap or other similar material.

You can find them at garden centers and tree nurseries.

They should be planted outdoors after the holiday season, but due to their damp roots, these trees are often much heavier and more difficult to transport than cut trees.

Therefore, you might consider choosing a smaller tree than you would normally choose for a cut tree.

If you plan on replanting the tree on your property, make sure you have enough space based on how much more the tree will grow.

[music playing] As is always the case, it is important to make sure your living Christmas tree gets the proper amount of water.

If you decide to go with a tree in a container, these will likely come in a container with drainage holes and with potting medium.

These often dry out quickly, so it's important to check soil moisture daily with your finger or water meter.

However, make sure they do not sit in standing water.

Also, make sure you're set up to manage excess water drainage.

For a balled and burlapped tree, these are in a dormant state and should remain in the state while you have it displayed in your home.

Therefore, you should acclimate your tree for the indoors before bringing it into your home.

It's best to first store it in your garage, shed, or other enclosed outdoor space for one to two weeks.

Then, when you bring it into your home, keep in mind that, ideally, it should have a short display period-- no longer than a week.

When choosing a location for the tree, a cool area is ideal.

Avoid heat sources and direct sunlight.

For lighting, LED or low-temperature lights are safer than older incandescent lights.

Once indoors, you should place the tree in a water-tight container large enough to support the tree.

A large plastic tub or galvanized bucket usually does the trick.

Once placed inside the watertight container, make sure it's supported properly so that it won't tip over.

Placing stones in the bottom of the container is helpful, both for support and to make sure the tree doesn't sit in standing water.

Since the air in homes tends to be warmer and drier during the winter compared to other seasons, you should check the moisture of the root ball daily.

If the root ball is dry, it's time to give the tree some water.

[music playing] You should plan where you want to plant your living Christmas tree before you purchase it.

Find a spot on your property where there is enough room for growth.

It's best to pre-dig the hole early before the ground gets frozen and too hard.

You can store the soil you dig up in your shed, garage, or other area, then use it when it's time for planting.

If you're unable to dig the hole for your tree before the ground freezes, you can store your tree in an unheated area, then wait until the spring to plant.

When digging the hole, make sure it's 1 to 2 feet wider than the root ball and as deep as the length of the root ball to the root flare.

Also, make sure the hole has tapered sides where it widens at the top and has a firm, flat base.

Remove the burlap and any other material around the root ball completely before planting.

When filling in the hole around the tree, make sure the root flare is level or slightly above the finished grade.

Lastly, water your tree thoroughly once it's planted and mulched with straw.

The mulch will help the roots acclimate to the cold soil.

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