Should I buy a live Christmas tree?

I was trying to decide if I should buy a live christmas tree this year. I had bought one 10 years ago and it was a bust. Yet I still feel drawn to the idea. As I am getting ready for the holidays I ponder this question.

What birdseed to use in my wild birdfeeders or whether to clean out my birdhouses are questions i can readily answer with a little research and I clearly know what to do. Whether to have a live christmas tree or not is not straight forward.

I have not made a decsion yet, but this is what I have found:

Pros:

• A great family tradition, "You can look at it every year and think, "Remember when we did that christmas?"
  
• It is fresher, so it's more fragrant.
• It's not as tippy as a cut tree in a stand
  
• The planted tree can extend holiday cheer outdoors when strung with all-weather lights or edible garlands for birds to nibble.
  
• You can plant it in your backyard or donate it to a plant-a-tree organization
  
• Lessening of a fire hazard
  
• May be used more than one year as a living Christmas tree. Most trees can remain in container for up to two years. Moved to outdoor patio or porch will add greenery to that outdoor space.
  

Cons:

• According to Christmas tree farmers, only about half of live trees purchased survive the holidays.
  
• Difficult to move tree in and around the space you want to put the tree. The root ball and tree combined can be very heavy. A six foot tree with have 24"root ball could weigh up to 250lbs
• Cost twice as much as fresh cut trees
• Can only remain indoors from 7-10 days, so cannot be main feature of your holiday season
• Unless you have a large property, you may run out of space to plant the live christmas tree after several years. Also these trees tend
• Must be more particular in the christmas lights you use, must be low wattage.

The following is a list of a few of the most popular types of trees that are used as living Christmas trees.

NORWAY SPRUCE - One of the most popular living trees.

COLORADO BLUE-GREEN SPRUCE - Another very popular living Christmas tree.

ALBERTA SPRUCE - An excellent miniature living Christmas tree.

DOUGLAS FIR - An excellent tree for sunny or shady locations.

WHITE FIR - It makes a nice specimen tree, or is excellent for screening and hedging in the garden.

ALPINE FIR - Shape is generally irregular unless the trees are nursery grown locally.

NOBLE FIR - A symmetrical, pyramidal tree with darkest green foliage, bluish-gray on the tips and silvery-green underneath. One of the finest living trees for use during the holiday season.

SCOTCH PINE - One of the most popular pines for a living Christmas tree.

AUSTRIAN PINE -It is a bushy, sturdy pine.

JAPANESE BLACK or JAPANESE RED PINE - They make nice irregular shaped living Christmas trees.

Go here for more information on how to care for your live tree after christmas

I got most of my information from Garden Design, This Old House magazine, & Ed Hume Seeds

If you are looking for outdoor wooden furniture, wildbird birdfeeders, outdoor candle lanterns, decorative birdbaths, Poly recycled outdoor furniture, tuned wind chimes or other great stuff for your backyard...visit my website.

Some other posts that may interest you;

Care for your Poinsetta and it will bloom next year

Best Berry Plants for Birds

12 Winter Bird myths you may or may not know