The classic Christmas dilemma is already on our minds and many of us are debating whether to choose a plastic Christmas tree or a natural one.
A priori, The right choice from a sustainable point of view would be quite clear, since consuming less plastic always sounds better. Of course, if we opt for one of these real trees or small trees… is it really worth taking one home? And even more important: what to do with it when we have collected the gifts and the lights start to go out of tune?
In this article we will tell you not only how to keep that twig that persists alive – and prevent its last days from coming with the next heat wave – but also where we could give it a permanent home if the balcony is no longer enough. Yes, making the tree live past the winter is possible. But spoiler: It involves more than finding a park and leaving it there with a “go big” note.
Pros and cons of choosing a real Christmas tree:
What we usually see in the Christmas scenario are people who opt for what is practical, cheap and fast (they end up buying a plastic tree from the store below their house) or the most conscientious, who look for what is natural (they are the ones who choose a nursery Christmas tree).
Beyond trends, if you decide to choose a real one, you should take into account some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Aroma and aesthetics: nothing beats the fresh smell and appearance of a natural tree, which gives an authentic and traditional touch.
- Sustainability: if grown responsibly, they contribute to the absorption of CO₂ and the maintenance of biodiversity. If it died, its environmental impact would be much less than that of a plastic tree in the landfill.
Cons:
- Short duration: they only look amazing during the holidays, then they lose their freshness and must be planted in a suitable place (if not, they die). Furthermore, the following year its appearance will almost certainly be different, something that more than one person may not like.
- Maintenance: They require constant watering and care to prevent them from drying out or losing needles.
- Annual cost: If you haven’t been able to make it last more than a year yet, having to buy a new one every year can mean more expenses in the long run.
What to do with the tree after Christmas?
Suppose you have gone to the nursery and bought a natural Christmas tree. Those little trees are amazing the first few weeks but they need more than a 2 liter pot and occasional watering to survive after the holidays. Let’s think that the most common species that function as Christmas trees are trees that in nature reach tens of meters in height with almost unlimited soil resources.
Also, remember that these are outdoor plants: they are not designed to spend long periods inside the house, where the climate is always the same, it does not rain or it is cold and light is scarce.
A natural Christmas tree can survive if you have done the following homework during the holidays:
- You care for it properly: Place it away from direct heat sources and keep it in a cool place as much as possible. Don’t forget about the light and place it near a window (or outside). Although it can survive a few weeks with less light, a drastic change in light can cause it to lose its leaves. Ah! Don’t forget to water either, after all it is a plant and it needs water to live. You can water it when the substrate is almost dry.
- If you have it inside the house, prepare it for outside; Once the holidays are over, gradually accustom it to outside temperatures, avoiding thermal shock.
- Avoid decorative sprays: Products such as artificial snow or glitter can clog the pores of the leaves (stomata), affecting their transpiration capacity.
If you see that it has reached the end of its days somewhat damaged, you can always perform rejuvenation pruning, apply a biostimulant that facilitates its adaptation to a new environment and, if necessary, transplant it.
The best natural Christmas trees for home
- Trees for warm areas:
Stone pine (Pinus pinea). Perfect for warm climates with mild winters. It has a characteristic umbrella-shaped crown and produces edible pine nuts. It adapts to sandy or poor soils, as long as they are well drained. Avoid waterlogging, as the roots can rot.
Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica). Tolerant of heat and light drought once established. Prefers well-drained and sunny soils. Water deeply for the first two years after planting and then it will be able to survive almost on its own.
Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii). The typical cypress that we see used a thousand times to form hedges. It is fast growing, heat resistant and adaptable to different soils. It supports pruning very well, which will give you an advantage to control its size in small spaces.
- Trees for cold areas:
Normandy Fir (Abies nordmanniana). One of the most cold-resistant trees, ideal for climates with severe winters. It grows in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates strong frosts. Plant it in a place protected from strong wind, as it can damage its young branches when it is still small.
silver fir (Abies alba). It is native to Europe and is ideal for cold, humid climates, especially in mountainous areas. It is slow growing but very resistant and can reach great heights, be careful. To see it grow happily, avoid compacted soil and make sure there is good drainage.
Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara). A robust tree that does well in cold mountainous climates. It adapts well to deep, well-drained soils. Its growth is faster and reaches large dimensions, make sure it has enough space to grow without restrictions.
Whatever your Christmas tree is, do not forget that even if we have it for a few weeks as part of our Christmas decoration, it is still a living being that has in its DNA to grow freely in nature, with good light, climate adequate and above all, without decorations that hinder it from growing well.
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