Replanting a Christmas Tree

Mike Rene
by Mike Rene
My Christmas tree started budding over the Holidays so I decided to keep it and try and replant it in the spring. Has anyone had any success in doing this? I believe it is a Balsam and I live in Northern Ontario. I watched a youtube video where someone replanted and planted it below some lower branches which he claims will serve as roots. I would appreciated peoples thoughts and opinions on how to replant a Christmas tree. Thanks.
  5 answers
  • Debbie Lanaghan Debbie Lanaghan on Jan 25, 2015
    Make sure the tree is used to the cold first. When you move it out of the house put it in the garage first, then move it out, but stay close to the house then plant it. Even though it is winter you still are going to want to give it water once a month unless there is a blanket of snow down. All through the first year make sure it gets a good deep drink of water. No staking should be required.
  • Mike Rene Mike Rene on Jan 25, 2015
    Thanks Debbie. I won't be planting until the end of May as it does not warm up here enough until then and that is usually when we are able to plant our garden. I will put a timer on valve to make sure it gets water on a regular basis.
    • BONNIE J BONNIE J on Jan 25, 2015
      @Mike Rene WHERE R U FROM? SHORT GROWING SEASON HERE IN ALBERTA! VERY LONG WINTER--1ST SNOW IN EARLY SEPT THIS YEAR! FROZE ALL MY FALL BLOOMERS!
  • Stephania Potter Stephania Potter on Jan 25, 2015
    Don't let dry out and let it get sun. May, may be awfully late to be planting the tree. You just don't want the grown frozen. It will need to a establish a good root system before it start growing in the spring. It also may drop some needles or look like it might have some die back. Don't give up on it. It might take some time to recover from shock before it starts growing again.
  • It is really doubtful that you will have much luck with rooting the tree if its only a stump on bottom. While feeding the tree with water and adding necessary nutrients to keep it fresh, your still forgetting that the root structure supports the tree so it would need to be wired and kept wet for many years in order for any roots to develop. Also need to remember if you look at how much water the tree uses every day to keep it fresh, This is done daily with the much larger root system over a greater area. Once in ground you would need to water this all the time as the soil would be soaking up much of the water not allowing the tree to absorb what it needs to survive. A lot of people who purchase "live" trees still end up killing them, Even when doing everything right. So your odds are really against you being successful. You can try, but do not be disappointed after all the work involved you will be removing it into the recycle pile.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jan 26, 2015
    Some Christmas trees are started by cuttings, but it is done in a very controlled manner and under optimal conditions. If you want to try it, take those upright shoots and place them in water, then when you are ready to plant dip them in rooting hormone and plant the cuttings in a porous potting medium. Keep the soil moist and mist the cuttings frequently. It should take about three months for them to have rooted enough to be transplanted.