Many people in Minnesota want a living Christmas tree, one
they can plant outdoors after Christmas. This tradition is very popular
in the south and western parts of the United States. Unfortunately, Minnesota
does not have a climate that is conducive to such a tradition.
Evergreens in the north go dormant in October. Their systems slow down to get ready for winter. If a tree is moved into the home, even for a few days, the dormancy cycle is broken and the tree becomes active again. Once this process has begun, it cannot be stopped without damaging the tree. The longer the tree is in the house, the more damage that will be done if it is taken outdoors during the winter.
If you bring a tree indoors in mid-December, it cannot be returned to the outdoors until the last frost in May, which is a full five months! Trees seldom survive the transition to the home for five months. Evergreens will not tolerate the warm dry air and low light for such a lengthy period, and they need several months of deep dormancy to rest.
The whole idea of this tradition is to not kill a tree by cutting it for Christmas. If you want a living Christmas tree, come to Bachman's Garden Center in the fall. Pick out a new tree and plant it in your yard before October 15. Water the tree and wait until the Christmas season. Decorate the tree with natural ornaments, such as popcorn and cranberries. Use your imagination, and enjoy a Christmas tradition that provides trees for beauty and the environment. Or select a Norfolk Island Pine from our green plant area. They make attractive living Christmas trees that can be kept as an indoor plant. |
