Living Christmas Tree Care

A living tree is a potted or balled and burlapped tree that can be planted outdoors after the holidays. It is a wonderful, sustainable alternative to a fresh cut tree. Living trees require more care indoors but reward you with a tree that continues to grow in your garden for years to come.

Before Bringing Indoors

• Acclimatize the tree gradually before bringing it inside: place it in a sheltered, unheated space such as a garage or carport for 2-3 days. Moving directly from cold outdoor temperatures to a warm home causes stress.
• Soak the root ball thoroughly before acclimatization begins.

While Indoors

• Keep the tree indoors for no more than 10 days. The longer it stays inside, the more it acclimatizes to warmth and the harder the transition back outdoors will be.
• Keep it away from all heat sources: heating vents, fireplaces, radiators, and sunny windows.
• Water the root ball daily.
• Use only small, low-voltage LED lights on living trees: heat from incandescent lights causes additional stress.
• Check all light strings for frayed wire or damaged sockets before use.

Returning Outdoors

• Reverse the acclimatization process: move the tree to a sheltered, unheated space for at least one week before placing it in its final outdoor position.
• Water the root ball well before moving outdoors.
• If the ground is not frozen, the tree can be planted immediately. Choose the planting site before the holidays so it is ready when the tree comes out.
• If the ground is frozen, keep the tree in a sheltered spot with the root ball protected from hard freezing until planting is possible in early spring.

Most Christmas tree varieties are well-suited to BC's South Coast climate. Choose a site with adequate space for the tree's mature size, as Christmas tree species can grow to considerable heights when planted permanently. Avoid planting under overhead power lines or close to the house. Spring is the best time to plant once the tree has been re-acclimatized properly after the holidays.

Living trees: plant outdoors after proper re-acclimatization, or donate to a community garden or green space if you do not have room.

Check out our Christmas Tree Care tip sheet for more information on Christmas Trees at GARDENWORKS.