Living Christmas Trees
By Johnson County Master Gardener Pat Kriener, member of the Wildbunch Writers
Celebrating Christmas with a Living Christmas Tree can become a wonderful family tradition that creates lasting memories of a single Christmas or family events such as; the birth of a child, anniversaries, graduations or the memory of loved ones.
There are so many choices out there that now we have to ask “What is the best Living Christmas Tree for my family?” The best way to find out answers to gardening questions like this is to ask the experts who sell, landscape and advise gardeners in your area. This means a field trip for the whole family but if time is an issue you can do most of your research by phone. Make sure you tell them all the requirements that you have like “No cedar I’m allergic,” “I live in an apartment and can’t plant it later so what would be a good tree for me?” “I am planting it in a small area and it can only get so tall,” or “The sky is the limit how do I reach it?”
I started my inquiries with Robert Alvarado of Callaway’s Nursery (FT. Worth) who recommended the Afghan Pine, it’s also called the Mondell Pine and Elderica Pine, as a good tree for our area but also stated it was one of his favorites because it gives him the traditional Christmas feeling. He shared some tips on how to treat your tree indoors. He recommended not placing them in front or near heaters or vents he also added that you can help keep them cool by putting ice on top of the soil but it is also a great way to slow water.
Sherri Chastain of The Old Blue House Garden Center, Cafe & Apothecary, (Cleburne), said a Rosemary Topiary is one of her favorites because it comes in various sizes that can fit anywhere from a small table to a corner in the room. Rosemary smells great but she also suggested looking for the pine scented variety for that traditional Christmas fragrance. After Christmas she recommends placing your rosemary in a sunny garden window but to make sure you do not over water or plant in the garden in well drained soil.
Johnson County Master Gardener Ben Oefinger (Cleburne) says the Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus Virginiana Height 70 feet, is the only way to go but plant it in the middle of the yard and give it plenty of room to grow. For a real challenge to this area and only if you have quick draining soil try a Blue Spruce. His favorite for a permanent indoor tree is the Norfolk Island Pine.
Lucy Harrell of Ladies of the Garden, Organic Landscape and Consulting (Arlington) says her favorite is the Leyland Cypress. Ms. Harrell also favors the pyramidal shaped Savannah Holly planted outside a large picture window, but keep it trimmed down so it can be decorated year after year.
Johnson County Master Gardener Pat Kriener (Crowley) recommends all of the above and just about any evergreen variety of shrub or tree that you would like in your landscape. Why waste a perfectly good reason to plant something, when you can be creative and practical at the same time.
Johnson County Master Gardener Claudine Young (Keene) reminds us that it’s best to only keep your trees indoors for a couple of weeks because they would really rather be outside in the cooler weather.
One day you’ll walk through your landscape and not see just a beautiful tree or shrub but memoirs of your child’s first Christmas and down the path is that scraggly “Charlie Brown” tree that the you just couldn‘t leave at the nursery and now its bigger than the house. Our yards and gardens have always been a source of enjoyment and even comfort but there is something special about making a garden of living memories. Remember, for gardening advice turn to the experts in your area.
“Happy Gardening!”
