Planting a ball-in-burlap Christmas tree. . .

. . . is a great idea and simple to do.  Here are the steps to caring for and planting your ball-in-burlap Christmas tree. . .or any other ball-in-burlap tree.

Caring For And Planting A Ball-In-Burlap Christmas Tree

© Michael J. McGroarty

Instead of a cut tree, some people buy a  live ball-in-burlap tree, drag it into the house, and decorate it. To avoid making  serious mistakes when it comes to handling a live tree and losing your  money, follow the info below carefully. This information  also pertains to any live tree  planted in the winter or summer.

1. Before taking the tree in the house, dig a hole  where you expect to plant it after the holidays. Put the soil in a wheelbarrow and park it in the garage. Keep loose soil to back fill the hole, for the ground might be frozen after the holidays.

2. Keep your live tree in the house for as short a time as  possible.

3. Keep the ball moist while in the house, but not in a tub full of water. The ball should not dry out completely, but it shouldn't be soggy all the time either. Just moist. Wet it thoroughly, but then don't water again until the water is almost gone.

4. After Christmas move the tree outdoors as soon as possible and plant it immediately. If you were not able to dig the hole earlier, the ground is frozen, and the tree cannot be planted, leave it outside (not in the garage where it will dry out) and pack bags of leaves or bales of straw around the ball.  Heal it in in such a way that the amount of sun and wind the ball receives is minimal.

5. The absolute best place for the ball is in the ground, even if the ground has frozen after you dug the hole. Just set the tree in the hole and back fill with loose soil. Make sure there are no air pockets around the ball. Back fill only with small particles of soil. If this cannot be done because the soil is frozen, just set the tree in the hole and back fill as soon as the weather permits.

6. Before planting, cut and remove any nylon string which is sometimes  wrapped around the stem of the tree. If it's a cotton type, like sisal twine, you can leave it on the ball but remove it from the stem. If the burlap is nylon, it should be cut in many places or removed. If the ball is wrapped with a wire basket, leave it on. It will help to secure the tree and keep it from rocking back and forth with the wind. The roots will find their way through the wire and the burlap. Just cut the burlap where you can.

7. Do not plant the tree any deeper than it was in the nursery. The top of the ball should be one to two inches above the ground level. If you have heavy, wet, clay soil, you should plant it even higher and build a bed up around the ball. When you plant them too deep, the plants literally suffocate.

8. Do not fertilize the tree at the time of planting. You can fertilize it in the spring, but since fertilizer can do more harm than  good.  use organic fertilizers. If you have compost available, mix some in while planting. .. It's best to stake trees when you plant them. If the wind is constantly rocking them back and forth they will have a difficult time establishing new roots in their new home.

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About The Author
Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.freeplants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter, and grab a FREE copy of his E-book, "Easy Plant Propagation"

Source: http://www.freeplants.com/free-gardening-articles.htm