Replanting a Christmas tree – is it really a good solution?

Disadvantages

• Higher purchase costs (minimum price approx. 30 EUR)
• Size is limited to approx. 1.20 m
• Usage time in a heated living room is limited to a maximum of 10 days
• Higher maintenance (regular watering and spraying)
• High effort after Christmas (for replanting)
• Space required for replanting (garden)
  
  

The advantages of a Christmas tree with roots are thus manageable compared to the disadvantages. In addition, the sustainability advantage depends on the successful "relocation" of the tree after Christmas. If it is not possible to replant the tree in a hole in the ground later, then it will have to be disposed of after all – and the environmental balance will not look any better than that of a felled Christmas tree.

Nordmann fir, spruce, pine: Which tree can be easily replanted?

The choice of conifer species is crucial for the success of replanting. For example, the Nordmann fir – by far the most popular Christmas tree version – is not very suitable for later replanting. The reason is its taproot: Since it grows deep into the earth, Nordmann firs are usually not planted in pots, but in open fields. When digging them up, the taproot is almost always damaged. If you want to replant a Nordmann fir, you should therefore definitely look for an undamaged root when buying. Norway spruce, pine, Douglas fir, and cypress are significantly more robust candidates.

From purchase to replanting: What needs to be considered!

If the fir tree bought for Christmas is to continue living later, several things must be considered during purchase, care, and replanting.

When buying:

• Prefer potted plants
  There are two types of potted trees: those that were grown in a pot from the outset, and those that grew in the open field and were dug up and potted for harvest. For trees grown in pots, it is much more likely that they will survive later replanting.
• Look for a healthy appearance
  Since you cannot examine the roots of a potted tree, you must limit yourself to observing the above-ground part. Does the tree look fresh and strong? A healthy tree also sheds few needles!
• Choose a small tree
  The smaller a tree is, the smaller its root ball – and the easier it is to replant later. A 90 cm tree is therefore less problematic than a 120 cm tree.

When caring for it:

• Water sufficiently
  It goes without saying that a potted tree needs to be watered – preferably every day with lukewarm water. The soil should never be completely dry. From time to time, the needles should also be sprayed with water.
• Decorate "gently"
  When decorating, make sure that no branches are damaged or broken off.
• Choose location carefully
  The warmer the location, the worse. A spot directly in front of the heater is therefore unsuitable. A location with a lot of drafts, such as in the hallway, is also not optimal.
• Limit time indoors
  A potted tree should not stay indoors for longer than 10 days, no matter where it is placed.

When replanting:

• Do not immediately move it outdoors
  Immediately moving it from a heated indoor area to a cold outdoor area is not good for any tree. It is better to gradually acclimatize the potted tree to lower temperatures for a few days after Christmas in the cellar or a winter garden.
• Avoid frost
  Relocation must not take place during frost, because in a warm living room, a tree's frost resistance is temporarily broken. If in doubt, the tree must be temporarily stored frost-free for days or weeks (but not exclusively in a dark cellar; after all, every tree needs light).
• Create enough space.
  When planting in the garden, the hole should be dug generously. When replanting into another (larger) pot, a correspondingly generous pot size should be chosen. In addition, good fertilization must be ensured when keeping it in a pot.