I had a nice radio conversation with Sam Zamarippa (www.sammyevergreen.com) on Saturday about how to treat living

Walter Reeves
by Walter Reeves
Christmas trees indoors before you plant them in your landscape. After choosing an appropriate tree for your area, here are some care tips:
• Leave outdoors in a shady spot until mid-December. Spray foliage with an anti-transpirant such as Cloud Cover or Wilt Pruf.
• Transport indoors on December 15. A child's wagon, lined with plastic, makes a good cart. The tree can be left in the wagon or it can be set into a wide, shallow pan indoors.
• Water the root ball every day. Use at least two quarts of water each time. Pour the water slowly on top of the root ball and allow it to soak in. Do not just pour water into the pan. TIP: Put ice cubes on top of the root ball and allow them to slowly melt.
• Close all hot air vents near the tree. Try to keep the room cool for most of each day.
• Move tree outdoors by December 28. Thoroughly loosen an area six feet wide and 12 inches deep. Plant the root ball in the center. Apply lots of water. Mulch with three inches of pine straw.
• Water weekly until spring. Fertilize with liquid plant food (MiracleGro, etc.) in mid-summer.
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  • Bob and RodMan S Bob and RodMan S on Dec 12, 2011
    Great info, Walter. Got a question about "Frasier" Fir life expectancy. Had one topple the other day; 20+ feet tall, 16"-18" at the base, perfectly green in every needle but evidently dead and dry at the heart. It just broke off at the crumbly base - ground level. Is this common in transplanted trees of this type?
  • Walter Reeves Walter Reeves on Dec 12, 2011
    Yep, Frasier fir (as well as blue spruce and Alberta spruce) is very short-lived here. The summer heat is an implacable enemy.
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