Living Christmas trees offer year-round beauty when planted in the landscape after Christmas, and can also serve as outdoor Christmas trees for many years to come. Planted in the landscape living trees also become a yearly source for cut greens to use during the holiday season.

There are a few important steps to follow for best results in caring for a living Christmas tree in the home.

1. You're living Christmas tree from Wilson Bros. Nursery will come in a 15 gallon plastic container that has drain holes in the bottom - so a waterproof tub or container will be necessary to set the tree in while in the home. If your container is not waterproof, make sure to line it with plastic or foil to keep excess water from dripping through onto your floor or carpeting.

2. Be sure to water the tree regularly while it is being used in the home. Check for soil moisture by using the finger test, and if the soil inside the tree's container is dry, provide water. To lessen frequency of watering, you might consider applying a 1-inch layer of wood mulch atop the root ball.

3. Prolonged exposure to warm household temperatures may force new growth to develop on the tree. If the weather happens to be warm after Christmas (daytime temperatures above 60 degrees F) you can transplant your living tree outside with no transition. If the temperatures outside are much colder (below 60 degrees F), before taking the tree outdoors to transplant, let it spend a few days in a colder, but protected environment such as a garage, basement or closed-in back porch before transplanting. This will help the tree make the transition from warm to cold.

4. When you are ready to transplant the tree into your landscape, SEE: How To Plant a Tree for proper planting instruction.

* The tub or container may be used later for planting bulbs or summer annuals for color on the patio or in the entry area.