A live Christmas tree sounds like a very green environmentally sound choice to make. If you are thinking of this option, think and plan carefully. Live trees are by no means inexpensive. Start by thinking in terms of your landscape. A living Christmas tree is in actuality a live tree for the landscape that eventually needs to be planted. 

Are you looking for a single specimen tree? Maybe a line of hedge trees? How about a windbreaker row on the northeast? The first decisions you need to make are why and where is this tree going to be planted.

Your next decision is which evergreen will work best for your landscape. Don't limit yourself to thinking traditional balsam or fir Christmas tree. First of all, these trees will be marked up for the season. Plan on several window shopping expeditions to your local reputable nurseries early in the season. Browse through their selections of evergreen shrubs and trees. Think yard, don't think Christmas.

The selection on hand will be left over from the summer season. By staying away from "traditional" Christmas tree fare, you should find varieties that will suit your garden project and be affordable.

Arborvitae are very easy to grow and maintain. They come in columnar and round shrub sizes. These are used to highlight structure and to create hedges and windbreakers. They can be grown in planters to flank the front door or provide privacy along the back deck. For the holidays, they can temporarily highlight a front entrance or staircase. They can flank the fireplace or picture window. This is offered as an alternative suggestion.

When choosing a living evergreen, size does matter. Question the growing habits of specimens you like. A young blue spruce will show maybe a two inch yearly growth until it reaches 10-15 years of age. Pines and evergreen shrubs, on the other hand, grow much more quickly. The larger the tree, the more it weighs. Since you need to be able to move your tree, keep the weight in mind. Think small. Younger trees adapt more easily.

Living trees have been grown and kept outdoors. They will reside outdoors after the holiday. Preparation  is essential to keep the tree from temperature and handling shock. If you select your tree from a farm where it is growing in ground, have them ball and burlap it early or transplant into a container of you choice. Set up a pickup or delivery time close to the holiday. Inspect that your tree has survived the process before it leaves the farm.

At home, prepare your planting area while you can work the ground. Dig the hole deeper than the root ball and twice as wide. Amend the soil with organic compost, peat moss, or humus. Store this soil in an area where it will not freeze like a shed or the garage. When your tree arrives, it must stay outside in an area where it is protected from extreme elements like heavy winds. Protect the roots by applying a thick layer of mulch or compost for insulation. Keep your tree watered and the needles misted.

The sap is flowing very slowly this time of the year. Any prolonged spikes in temperature signal the tree that spring is here so you don't want to fully awaken your tree. Ideally, your tree could be planted in the yard as part of your winter display. However, if you are inclined to use it indoors, use it for as short a time as possible so as not to awaken it. Bring it in for a party, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. Then bring it out again as soon as possible. Plant it as soon as you can.

Longer indoor duration may see your tree shed some of its needles as it adjusts to the warm temperature and drier conditions of indoor heating. After the holidays the tree needs to be gradually acclimated to cooler temperatures for survival. Move to a breezeway or garage for several weeks or overwinter there until spring in the sunniest location you can find. Then bring it outside to a very protected place for gradually longer periods. Then plant it no deeper than it is in its container or burlap. Water it in thoroughly. Wrap in burlap and mulch around the trunk to give your live tree all the help it needs to survive against the harsh elements of winter. Water all during the winter unless the ground is frozen solid. Containerized trees need the same protection. Try to insulate the container to keep the root ball from sustaining freeze and thaw damage. Live Christmas trees require work to be a green environmentally sound practice but well worth the effort for years to come.