East Hampton - The Christmas tree is usually the first and most important purchase of the holiday season. Christmas trees, which are commonly cut or artificial, are the focal point of many homes throughout the month of December and add to the holiday spirit. While locally grown plantable Christmas trees serve the same purpose as their cut and artificial counterparts, they may also add to home landscaping after the New Year and become a family tradition.

Tips On Choosing Plantable Trees

 • Purchase a locally grown plantable tree from your local nursery or garden center.
 • Choose a tree that is suitable for the geographic area. For example, suitable types of trees for East End residents include the white pine or Colorado blue spruce.
 • Look for trees that are at least five to six-feet tall with roots balled and wrapped in burlap.

Caring For Plantable Trees

 • Keep the tree outside until it is time to decorate.
 • Water the tree until the soil is moist before it is planted. Don't over-water, the tree should not sit in water.
 • Place the tree in the garage or another sheltered area to slowly acclimate it to the change in temperature and conditions before planting.

Be sure root bulbs are wrapped in burlap.

Planting Christmas Trees

 • Prepare a planting area before the ground freezes. The hole should be as deep at the root ball and three to five times the size of its diameter.
 • Plant the tree with trunk flare (where roots meet the main stem) two to three-inches above ground level.
 • Spread a two to three-inch layer of mulch over the newly planted area. Make sure the mulch does not touch the tree trunk.

Still prefer a cut tree? Don't forget to recycle. Christmas trees can be brought to CW Arborists, Ltd. where they will be made into woodchips, call ahead for an appointment. Residents of East Hampton call 631-324-2199, and Southampton residents can call 631-283-5210, or may discard their trees at local recycling centers.

CW Arborists, Ltd.
CW Arborists, Ltd. (www.cwarborists.com) is a licensed and insured professional arboricultural company that specializes in sensible tree care and environmental health while practicing conservation. Dedicated to tree/environmental preservation, the company was founded in 2008, and services residential and commercial properties across Long Island.