How to Replant a Christmas Tree: A Comprehensive Guide
Can You Replant a Christmas Tree?
For most people, no, you cannot replant a Christmas tree. This is because most people use cut trees, which are impossible to replant. To be able to replant your Christmas tree, you must have a balled and burlapped tree, and it must remain healthy and vigorous during the time it is indoors.
How to Replant a Christmas Tree Outside
If you have a balled and burlapped Christmas tree, you can replant it outside after the holiday season is over. Here are the steps to follow:
- Prepare both the tree and the hole for the tree before Christmas. Digging the hole before Christmas guarantees you can dig into the ground and also helps you get the tree into the soil as soon as possible once you’re ready to plant. Make the hole twice as wide as the rootball and equally as deep.
- Keep the tree healthy during the time it is indoors. Give it some sunlight, keep the ball moist, and don’t expose it to warm or cool drafts.
- Several days after Christmas (after the tree has spent a few days in the garage getting reacclimmated to the cold), carry the balled and burlapped tree outside and set it gently in the hole.
- Untie the burlap ball (sometimes called the bag) and cut any wires keeping the root ball intact.
- Lift the tree, loosen the roots, and remove the bag and any binding wires.
- Pour at least 5 gallons of cool water into the hole and fill the hole with soil up to the root flare.
- Compress the soil around the tree’s base and mulch around the tree to the depth of 2 to 3 inches out to the edge of the branches.
- Water the soil at the tree’s base.
Caring for a Christmas Tree With a Rootball
If you plan to use a tree with a root ball in your home for Christmas, regardless of whether or not you plan to plant it after the holiday, you will need to care for it in a specific way that is much different than taking care of a regular-cut Christmas tree.
Here are some tips to keep your balled and burlapped Christmas tree vigorous and healthy over the holiday season and ready to plant, if you choose:
- Soak the ball before bringing it indoors.
- Acclimate your tree to the indoors for two or three days to prepare it for the change. Placing it in a cold garage or on a porch will work fine.
- In its indoor location, place your tree in an area that receives some sunlight.
- Do not place the tree near a heater, and avoid placing the tree in an area with a draft.
- Keep the ball constantly moist but not soaking wet once it is indoors.
- Only keep the tree indoors for up to 10 to 14 days.
- Acclimate your tree to the chillier temperatures for two or three days before you take it outdoors to be planted—a garage or porch works well.
FAQs
Can you replant a Christmas tree that was cut down?
No, you cannot replant a Christmas tree that was cut down. If you are determined to save some of your Christmas tree, you can cut a branch and try to propagate it.
Is it possible to dig up and replant a Christmas tree?
No, it’s not possible to dig up and replant a Christmas tree. Though you can technically try to do it, it’s not realistic and it is unlikely the tree will do well.
Do all rooted tree come balled and burlapped?
No, all rooted trees do not come balled and burlapped. Depending on the size of the tree you want, you may be able to find one in a pot. Larger trees will not be potted; they will be balled and burlapped.