Living Christmas Tree

[gilliflower]

This year I bought a live Christmas tree, which I would like to keep in my garden - hopefully to bring in and use next year! At the garden centre I was told that I could keep it in the pot, or put it in a larger one. If I plant it out, I was told, it might grow too big. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best position for it outside? And, will it be traumatised if I put it in a larger pot?

[Hawkwalk]

Most positions in the garden will be fine except deep shade. If you keep it in a pot you will need to make sure it is kept well watered during the summer as they can dry out very quickly. It will also need feeding as they are hungry trees. It is possible to keep it shorter by pruning it and if planted in the garden and you dont want it to get too tall then just cut the growing tip off.

[derekpara]

I agree, most positions would be fine, and give it plenty to drink in the summer.

D

[Chaffinch]

I bought one 4 years ago and planted it outside, I've bought it in each year since. Its a lot bushier, and about a foot taller, but I cut out the growing tip last January, and its not grown much since. Its now the right size for my room

Blo*dy dificult digging it up this year though with frozen ground!!

[gilliflower]

Thank you all for your helpful advice. I think I'll keep it in the pot after Chaffinch's experience. Just one more thing - I'm not absolutely sure what the growing tip is. Is it just the tip of the vertical top branch? Or does it include the tips of each branch? I'm very new to gardening, as you can probably tell!

[Hawkwalk]

the growing tip is the bit where you stick the fairy. If you prune this back it will stop growing from that point. It will continue to grow from all the other tips on the side branches though so if it gets too wide or out of shape then you can trim those also.

[gilliflower]

Thank you Hawkwalk. I'm very grateful for your advice. Don't go away, I'll be back with more gardening questions!

[Whoever]

Don't forget that if your Christmas tree grows too big in its container, you can always trim the roots back slightly to prevent it growing too big, as well as snipping out the top growing point and trimming back all the side shoots as well.

This is what is done to keep Bonsai trees so tiny and it works just as well on bigger trees as well but it's best to do the root pruning in the dormant winter season rather than in warmer weather when the tree will start growing more strongly.