COUNTRY SKILLS - Keep A Living Christmas Tree
http://www.motherearthnews.com/arc/1595/
After no more than two weeks in a dry, winter-heated room, the tree is
returned to a predug hole in the meadow. Set the tree in straight, a
little deeper than it was in the woods but not so deep that the trunk
above where the roots begin to splay out is covered. The cambium layer
beneath outer bark on the trunk must be free to breathe. The replanted
tree should have its roots unbundled?just cut the twine holding the
burlap around the trunk. Don't try to pull the burlap out, but do tuck
all free edges down into the ground. Even a small corner of cloth
exposed to the wind can wick moisture up to evaporate, drying out the
root ball and killing the tree. Soak the root system well if weather
is below freezing, then cover with loose soil removed from the hole.
Form the soil in a shallow dish around the trunk. Tamp the surface
well (but not too hard) around the roots. Especially if the soil is
wet, you will squash air pockets that allow roots to breathe and
permit excess water to drain away.
(please read the entire article for all the directions.) |
