The PM Upstate Adventure: Planting Our Christmas Tree and a Legacy of Green
Embarking on a new holiday tradition can infuse familiar festivities with fresh meaning and lasting memories. For us, the P+M Upstate Adventure took a delightful new turn this past holiday season as we embraced the enchanting journey of pm upstate adventure planting our christmas tree. More than just a festive decoration, our Christmas tree became the cornerstone of a sustainable vision – a living testament to our love for nature and a burgeoning legacy for our Upstate New York land. Our hope is simple yet profound: to repeat this beautiful tradition year after year, eventually cultivating a thriving "family of trees" that not only beautify our property but also stand as cherished markers of Christmases past.
The Quest for the Perfect Evergreen: A Colorado Blue Spruce Story
The journey began with a singular goal: to find a live Christmas tree, complete with its root ball, that could eventually find a permanent home on our land. This wasn't as straightforward as one might imagine. After numerous calls to local farms yielded no success for the specific type of living tree we envisioned, we expanded our search. Our diligence finally paid off when we discovered a nursery in Long Island specializing in live Colorado Blue Spruce trees, perfectly preserved with their root balls intact. This majestic variety, known for its striking blue-green needles and robust nature, felt like the ideal candidate to kickstart our new tradition.
The drive to Long Island was filled with anticipation. Stepping onto the nursery grounds, surrounded by rows of fragrant evergreens, we meticulously selected "our boy" – a vibrant Colorado Blue Spruce that just called to us. Loading him into our trusty little car, which has faithfully carried countless treasures in its short life, felt like bringing home a new family member. This moment truly encapsulates the spirit of our first article on our Upstate adventure, highlighting the initial spark of this unique holiday quest.
From Festive Centerpiece to Upstate Resident: The Tree's Grand Journey
Our chosen spruce spent a few weeks as the star of our holiday celebrations, adorned with twinkling lights and cherished ornaments. Our cats, ever the curious companions, often found solace napping nearby, seemingly enjoying the verdant presence. However, the true test lay ahead: transitioning our indoor Christmas star to the frosty embrace of Upstate New York. The stark temperature difference between our cozy interior and the outdoor chill could prove fatal to a delicate root system, so a crucial step known as "hardening off" was essential.
Hardening off is a vital process that gradually acclimatizes a plant to outdoor conditions, preventing transplant shock. For our spruce, this meant a five-day stay in the cooler, sheltered stairwell of our roof. Wrapped snugly for protection, he slowly adjusted to the dropping temperatures, preparing for the eventual move to his final, permanent home. We imagine he must have been quite confused by all the car rides and changes of scenery, from the bustling nursery to our warm home, then to a chilly stairwell, and finally, another journey Upstate. The thought of him pondering his fate as we tied him up for transport to what might have seemed like a desolate location still brings a chuckle!
Nurturing Our Evergreen: The Art of Planting a Live Christmas Tree
A few days after Christmas, with the hardening off complete, it was time for the main event: planting. Our chosen spot on the land offered breathtaking views, promising a future where our growing family of trees would frame the landscape beautifully. Digging the hole presented its own set of challenges. While the top layer of grass was somewhat frozen, thankfully, the ground beneath was more accommodating. For anyone considering this tradition in regions with consistently frozen winter soil, a pro tip is to dig the hole in late autumn before the ground solidifies. This foresight can save a lot of effort and ensure a smoother planting process.
Once the hole was ready – deep enough to accommodate the root ball and wide enough to allow for root expansion – we gently placed our Colorado Blue Spruce. The next critical step was hydration. Matthew, ever the strongman, "hulked up" and carried multiple buckets of water from the nearby stream all the way up the hill to give our new resident a thorough drink. This initial watering is crucial for settling the soil around the roots and providing the necessary moisture for the tree to begin establishing itself.
Of course, there's always a lingering fear when undertaking such a project in harsh conditions. Will he make it through the Upstate winter? The cold can be brutal, and despite our best efforts, nature holds the ultimate say. We're anxiously awaiting spring for a full assessment, promising an update on his progress. In the meantime, our future plans extend beyond this single tree. In the spring, we're planning to plant a large number of pine trees along the border of our property. These future evergreens, we fondly imagine, will become the "brothers" of our Christmas trees, gradually replacing less eye-pleasing deciduous trees that shed their leaves in winter, ensuring a lush, green landscape year-round. For more insights into our planning, check out the next installment of our Upstate Christmas tree journey.
Essential Tips for Planting Your Own Christmas Tree Tradition
Inspired by our pm upstate adventure planting our christmas tree, here are detailed directions and valuable tips for anyone wishing to embark on this meaningful and sustainable tradition:
- Tree Selection is Key:
- Live with Root Ball: Always choose a live tree sold with its root ball intact, often wrapped in burlap or in a container. This ensures the roots are protected and the tree has the best chance of survival.
- Local Sourcing: Whenever possible, find a local farm or nursery. Trees grown locally are already adapted to your climate. Research varieties best suited for your specific USDA hardiness zone.
- Inspect Health: Look for vibrant green needles, no signs of disease or pests, and a firm, moist root ball.
- Indoor Care: A Brief Stay:
- Short & Sweet: Aim to keep your live tree indoors for a maximum of 7-10 days. The longer it stays in a warm indoor environment, the harder the transition will be. We stretched it to a few weeks, but shorter is always better.
- Cool Location: Place the tree in the coolest part of your house, away from heat vents, fireplaces, or direct sunlight. An ideal indoor temperature would be below 68°F (20°C).
- Consistent Watering: Keep the root ball consistently moist, but never soggy. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Check the soil moisture daily and water as needed. A container or bucket underneath is essential to catch drainage.
- The Crucial Hardening Off Process:
- Gradual Acclimatization: This step cannot be skipped, especially if you live in a cold climate. Gradually expose the tree to cooler temperatures over several days.
- Transition Zones: Move the tree from your warm home to an intermediate, unheated space like a garage, enclosed porch, cool basement, or stairwell for 3-7 days. Each day, the temperature should be slightly closer to the outdoor ambient temperature.
- Protection: Continue to water during this phase and consider wrapping the root ball with burlap to protect it from extreme cold.
- Site Selection and Hole Preparation:
- Choose Wisely: Select a spot on your property with good drainage and adequate sunlight for the specific tree variety. Consider its mature size.
- Dig in Advance: If you plan to plant in winter, dig the hole before the ground freezes solid, ideally in late autumn. Cover the hole with a tarp or plywood to prevent it from freezing or filling with snow/rain.
- Proper Dimensions: Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and only as deep as the root ball. The top of the root ball should be level with, or slightly above, the surrounding soil after planting.
- Planting Day:
- Handle with Care: Gently remove any burlap, twine, or container from the root ball. Be careful not to disturb the roots.
- Positioning: Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring it stands straight.
- Backfill: Carefully backfill the hole with the original soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. Do not use soil amendments in the hole, as this can discourage roots from spreading into the native soil.
- Water Thoroughly: Water the tree immediately and deeply after planting. This helps settle the soil around the roots.
- Post-Planting Care:
- Mulch: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or pine needles) around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. This helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Ongoing Watering: Continue to water weekly, especially during dry periods, for the first year or two until the tree is well-established.
- Protection: In areas with deer or other wildlife, consider a protective cage or fence around the young tree to prevent browsing damage.
Conclusion: A Living Tradition Takes Root
The journey of pm upstate adventure planting our christmas tree has been far more than a simple holiday task; it's been an enriching experience filled with hope, effort, and a profound connection to our land. From the initial search for the perfect Colorado Blue Spruce to the careful hardening off and the eventual planting, every step has woven deeper meaning into our holiday celebrations. We eagerly anticipate seeing our "boy" thrive and grow, becoming a beautiful fixture in our Upstate landscape and a symbol of our commitment to sustainable living and the creation of lasting memories. We encourage you to consider starting your own living Christmas tree tradition – it's a wonderful way to honor the spirit of the season while giving back to the earth and creating a legacy that will flourish for years to come.
