The sight of countless felled fir trees makes the heart of many a nature lover bleed. So the idea of planting trees again and using them more sustainably for many Christmas celebrations is obvious. In order for this to work, you should consider a few aspects when purchasing.
Only those who take good care of their Christmas tree with roots can plant them out after winter
Which fir trees can I plant?
A fir tree can be planted in the garden as long as it has a healthy and strong root ball. Cut down trees no longer grow due to the missing root system. At Christmas time, in addition to the felled firs, there are also potted trees that were taken from fir tree cultures in the open air. When cutting off, the wood is injured at the roots, which leads to reduced vitality. When buying potted goods, make sure that the conifer appears strong and healthy.
It is important to note that:
- Red spruce, Douglas fir and pine are well suited for planting out
- Nordmann firs develop deep taproots that become too damaged when potted
- young and healthy conifers do not suffer from defoliation
- the smaller the tree, the greater the growth success
Instructions for planting
Find a suitable location where the tree can spread unhindered. Coniferous trees grow quickly and take up a lot of space, so you should ensure a generous distance to sheds, fences or other structures. Lines and pipes that run underground should also not be ignored. They can be damaged by the extensive root system.
tips
Potted plants are used to warm room temperatures. Before you put it back outdoors, you should overwinter it frost-free and only plant it out next spring.
So put the tree
Before planting, loosen the soil and provide it with compost. Dig a planting hole twice the volume of the root ball. You can also fertilize the bottom of the pit with some compost. Insert the tree in the middle and fill in the gaps with the excavated earth.
After pressing, the substrate is thoroughly watered. In the first year, the fir tree is sensitive, so you have to ensure regular watering and protect the wood from intense sunlight and frost.