How to Plant a Living Christmas Tree in Your Yard

Quick answer

Transplant your living Christmas tree outdoors in early spring after the ground thaws, choosing a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Water deeply for the first year to help the roots establish.

Step-by-step planting guide

1. 1. Harden off the tree: After the holidays, move the tree to a sheltered outdoor spot (like a porch or garage) for a few days to let it adjust to cooler temperatures. This prevents shock from the sudden change. Do not skip this step — going straight from a warm room to frozen ground can kill the tree.
2. 2. Choose the planting site: Pick a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground. Planting too deep is the most common mistake; it suffocates the roots.
3. 3. Remove the tree from its pot: Gently slide the tree out of its container. If the roots are circling the bottom, loosen them with your fingers. Do not pull the tree by the trunk. Check that the root ball is moist before planting — dry roots struggle to establish.
4. 4. Backfill and water: Fill the hole with the original soil — no amendments needed. Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Add a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base, but keep it away from the trunk. Over-mulching against the trunk invites rot and pests.
5. 5. Water regularly for the first year: Give the tree about 1 inch of water per week if rainfall is scarce. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep root growth. Reduce watering in late fall. A soaker hose or drip irrigation works better than overhead sprinklers, which can wet the foliage and cause disease.

Product facts

• Natural Noel Living Christmas Tree - 1 Gallon: This is a living tree - a Dwarf Alberta Spruce tree. It arrives potted with soil in a container. As our living spruce trees are naturally grown, each one is unique and will vary in shape and fullness. Because the tree is a living plant in soil, you can transplant it directly into your yard after the holidays, but its natural variation means no two trees look exactly alike.

  

• Country Woods Living Tree One Gallon: A living one-gallon Dwarf Alberta Spruce is planted in soil and nestled inside a rustic galvanized container, then adorned with glossy red ball ornaments, faux red and silver berry clusters woven through a natural jute garland, and a striking tartan plaid bow. The decorative container and ornaments are meant for indoor display; remove all decorations and the container before transplanting the tree outdoors.