Help choosing Real Christmas tree

socks_uk

Hi,

We are thinking of planting a Christmas tree in the front garden but don't know where to start. Are there any varieties that stay fairly short (below 10ft)? Or do they all grow pretty tall?

We can plant it up to 15ft away from our property but would prefer it closer - I have no idea about the root system of a spruce tree. So I'm hoping somebody knowledgeable can help. A silly question but is this even the right time of the year for planting a tree? It's just that this is the only time of year I've actually seen them for sale!

Any help gratefully received, thanks.

peter_the_piper

Assume the roots will go out for at least the same distance as the tree is high. As far as I know there are no dwarf xmas trees, all will grow to about 20m in time and will look stragglier the taller they get. I think you should work on keeping it near the house for no more than 5 more years, after that you might have problems with roots affecting the foundations.

socks_uk

Thanks for that. Year, maybe we should cut it down after 5 years and re-plant a new one. I need to do a bit of research I guess. Thanks again.

Davesnave

I used to rotate two Christmas trees by digging one up every other year and bringing it in, then re-planting in January. It worked OK for about 6 years but they eventually became too large, and also looked less good. Still, it was a definite MSE-type wheeze which did save money.

socks_uk

I wasn't actually thinking of bringing it into the house but to have it in the garden and put lights on it at this time of year.

I've noticed my local Wilko's have Blue Spruce for £20 (about 5ft) and some Nordman Firs for £25 (about 3ft). Maybe I should find some more info about the Nordman Fir.

cashkeeper

First rule - it is very difficult to plant a Christmas tree over 5 - 6 ft and get it to take. Normally when dug up all the fibreous roots get off. The tree needs these to draw up water. I also think it is best to get one from either a nursery or the actual grower. They normally give great advice and help.

peter_the_piper

cashkeeper wrote: »

First rule - it is very difficult to plant a Christmas tree over 5 - 6 ft and get it to take. Normally when dug up all the fibreous roots get off. The tree needs these to draw up water. I also think it is best to get one from either a nursery or the actual grower. They normally give great advice and help.

I second that. The last two sentences apply to plants at other times of the year.:D

Jake'sGran

socks_uk wrote: »

Thanks for that. Year, maybe we should cut it down after 5 years and re-plant a new one. I need to do a bit of research I guess. Thanks again.

If it is not going to be so close to the house the Korean Pine (not absolutely sure of this name - I'll look it up but definitely has "Korean" in it) is a really lovely Christmas tree.#
We treated ourselves one year and then post Xmas put it in the garden but it was too close to the house. The branches were beautifully arranged at even spaces. It is not fast growing.

socks_uk

Jake'sGran wrote: »

If it is not going to be so close to the house the Korean Pine (not absolutely sure of this name - I'll look it up but definitely has "Korean" in it) is a really lovely Christmas tree.#
We treated ourselves one year and then post Xmas put it in the garden but it was too close to the house. The branches were beautifully arranged at even spaces. It is not fast growing.

Sounds ideal. I'll try to google it. Thanks!

artha

The problem with buying anything that is slow growing is that to buy it at a usefull initial size means that someone has had to look after it for quite a number of years. They will of course want to recoup the time and effort that has been put in. This should mean that it is expensive unless someone is trying to improve cashflow.

If you are offered anything with roots at a cheap price, that is at a size for use as a christmas tree now, I woulkd ecpect that it is a fast growing tree that will quickly outgrow its space in the garden

peter_the_piper

And just because its in a pot don't assume its got roots and growing. Has been known for some unscrupulous traders to put a sawn one in a pot of compost and call it potted.