Living Christmas Tree
This year Matt and I opted for a living Christmas tree. I found a local farm a little out of the city that sells them. However, we were out of town the first two weekends in December and couldn't make the long trip, so we decided to get one from Home Depot for $50 instead.
I was hesitant to get a living tree because I thought they would only come in small sizes, but our tree is seriously about six feet tall. I also worried that the pot would look ugly, but I simply bought 2.5 yards of fabric from IKEA and wrapped it around the bottom (no sewing required!). It will look even better once it's covered in presents. We even managed to transport the tree home in Matt's Prius by simply bending to top of the tree to the side (it's really flexible).
Once we got the tree home, we set it on a large trash bag to protect our floors from daily watering. We also used a second trash bag plus some tape to make a little tray to hold any excess water.
I also worried about where the heck to plant the tree after Christmas. I talked to a friend about it, and he suggested that I ask the principal at my school. So I did, and she agreed. Woo-hoo!
I also worried that having a live Christmas tree would worsen Matt's allergies, but he hasn't complained!
I imagine that we will start a tradition of buying a living tree and then planting it in the new year. Maybe we'll stand around it and recite our intentions for the new year. Hmmm...
I was hesitant to get a living tree because I thought they would only come in small sizes, but our tree is seriously about six feet tall. I also worried that the pot would look ugly, but I simply bought 2.5 yards of fabric from IKEA and wrapped it around the bottom (no sewing required!). It will look even better once it's covered in presents. We even managed to transport the tree home in Matt's Prius by simply bending to top of the tree to the side (it's really flexible).
Once we got the tree home, we set it on a large trash bag to protect our floors from daily watering. We also used a second trash bag plus some tape to make a little tray to hold any excess water.
I also worried about where the heck to plant the tree after Christmas. I talked to a friend about it, and he suggested that I ask the principal at my school. So I did, and she agreed. Woo-hoo!
I also worried that having a live Christmas tree would worsen Matt's allergies, but he hasn't complained!
I imagine that we will start a tradition of buying a living tree and then planting it in the new year. Maybe we'll stand around it and recite our intentions for the new year. Hmmm...
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6 comments:
It's never too late to start a new tradition! You will find that a living tree does not drop it's needles and it is a lot less messy all around. Just keep it watered. :-)
I LOVE Christmas trees!
I grew up getting fresh cut trees. We would leave it up for weeks and weeks after the holidays, and once it really started to dry out my parents would put it in the back yard near the bird feeder. This was great because it encouraged birds to come, and it gave them some brush to hide in. Once spring came around and all the needles had fallen off it would get moved to the compost or brush pile in the woods. It really did get a full cycle because eventually the compost would be used in our vegetable garden in the spring.
I really like your idea of getting a live tree and then planting it in the spring. You can keep it up in your house until the ground thaws enough to plant it. (Well, we would as I'm in PA, you guys don't get as much snow as we do.)
The only living trees I can find are 3' tall, max here in sounthern california! I would love to find ones that are taller.
I buy a living tree every year, it doesn't quite smell as piny as a fresh tree, but it is a lot less messy. Since I do this every year, last year I finally spluged and purchaced a large terracotta pot and sauser to put the tree in that I reuse every year, it looks nice, and generally matches the un-holiday decor that is around the house. Plus around Feb the hubs and I take a little vacation into the mountains to plant our tree... it aligns with Imbolic, so it has become two holiday traditions with one tree. And it is always nice to have a weekend getaway to look forward to after you get back to the office in the new year.
I thought living trees could only be inside for a couple days. Is that not so in warmer climates? Lucky you if that's the case!
Hi, Beehive: It's growing in its pot. We water it every day and it gets plenty of sunshine streaming in from the window. We've had it for about a week and a half. So far, so good!
When I was little my parents got a small little tiny tree and it was in a in a huge pot. When we moved to the country my dad planted the tree. It grew to be super tall. I love real Christmas trees. We always cut down our tree from a local tree farm in town. The first non store bought tree we ever got was 18 feet tall. It was quit hard to decorate! Especially,since all three of kids were young and not that tall. :)
-Jodi :)
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