Ali South and Master Gardeners Lisa Johnson, Michele Campbell, Lisa Walker, Linda Gates, Virginia Davis and Shelly Spearman.
Rockwall, TX (December 2, 2025) – Bring home a living Christmas tree, add it to your holiday décor and transplant it in the new year for lasting enjoyment.
There is nothing more beautiful and timeless than a live tree for holiday celebrations. A living Christmas tree offers fresh scent and natural beauty during the holidays, but the magic doesn’t have to end in January. By following a few key steps for preparation and planting, you can make your tree a permanent addition to your landscape. Follow this practical guide to successfully transform this season’s Christmas tree and provide years of lasting joy and beauty.
Selecting the Right Species. The first question to consider in selecting a living Christmas tree is which ones are best suited to where we live. There are a number of ornamental trees that thrive in North Texas and many more that do well just east of us. In choosing a living Christmas tree for Rockwall County soil and conditions, the list begins to narrow a bit. Blue Point Juniper and Hollywood Juniper are among the top choices because of their adaptability to our heavy clay soil, their disease resistance and overall hardiness. Other great options are Eastern Red Cedar and Arizona Cypress.
Prep Before You Plant. To make sure your tree remains vibrant during the holiday season and successfully transitions for permanent planting, it is critical to maintain moisture within the root ball and gradually transition to the outdoor environment before planting. Mike Arnold, professor of landscape horticulture with the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, suggests planting a living tree as soon as possible after the new year, before it comes out of the semi-dormant state it has been in while inside your home. Many home interiors are too warm and dry for a potted Christmas tree, so it shouldn’t stay indoors for more than a few days. An outdoor porch or living area is a wonderful alternative and the perfect spot to enjoy your tree for all the festivities.
The Planting Playbook.
Selecting the best place to plant. In selecting the optimum planting location, make sure it offers good drainage and it receives the proper amount of light recommended for your species. Another important factor is to select a site that will accommodate the mature size of your tree and be aware of power lines or overhanging structures.
Dig the hole. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball (container), and no deeper than the height of the root ball.
Free the tree. Remove the tree from the container. If balled and burlapped, remove any wire clips that were used to hold the burlap around the root ball. Examine the root ball for any roots that are circling the base of the tree. Gently tug at these roots to extend them outward away from the root ball. For stubborn roots, selectively cut the roots to ensure the roots do not continue to grow in this circular pattern. If these roots are not addressed at the time of planting, they will continue their circular growth pattern. Eventually, the roots will “girdle” and cut off the circulation to the trunk. This restriction reduces the flow of water and nutrients to the leaves. This can lead to tree decline and death.
Plant the tree. Place the root ball into the hole so that the root collar (area above the roots) is flush or slightly above the natural grade. If unsure of where the root collar is located, examine the base of the tree to determine where the soil line was located when the tree was in its original container. Planting too deeply can cause bark deterioration at the soil line, which can eventually kill the plant. Likewise, planting too high will also kill the plant as the tree won’t be able to absorb the moisture and nutrients it needs from the surrounding soil.
Fill the hole. Gently fill the hole with the same soil that came out of the hole. Do not add soil amendments as we want the tree to adapt to the native soil. Do not pack the soil around the base. Packing the soil damages and breaks fine roots. Instead, settle the soil by gently watering the base after planting.
Add mulch. Avoid the mulch volcano. Add mulch around the tree at least out to the drip line of the tree. Maintain a depth of 2 to 3 inches deep and up to but NOT touching the trunk.
Water well and often. How often? For the first week, water the tree daily. Every other day in week two. Every third day in week three. Then, twice a week for the remainder of the growing season. If winter has had a long period without rain, a good slow drenching to the mulch donut will keep the tree healthy and insulated from the cold. Next spring, continue the twice a week waterings throughout the first summer.
- How much water? In the first two weeks, add 1 gallon of water per inch of trunk diameter. Beyond this period, a simple rule of thumb is to use 2–4 gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter at each watering, while occasionally testing the soil to ensure that you are not overwatering the area. To test soil moisture, poke a long 8″ screwdriver into the soil. If you are unable to push the screwdriver in at least 6″, your soil is dry and it’s time to water. Most roots responsible for water and nutrient uptake are in the top 8” to 12” of the soil surface. Roots need oxygen in the soil to take in the water. When the soil becomes saturated, oxygen is depleted, leading to root suffocation. Water often, but always check the soil first to determine the right amount needed to keep the tree healthy.
- And finally, how to water? The best practice to ensure that the tree gets its required amount of water is to use a bucket or watering can and have some patience. Using a bucket, pour the water over the root ball and at the base of the tree. Apply slowly to allow the water to be absorbed into the soil. If the water begins to run off, stop watering for a few minutes and then return until the bucket or watering can is finally empty. Although this method may require a few trips back-n-forth to the faucet, you’ll ensure the tree gets the water it needs without requiring a life preserver.
With careful planning and execution—from selecting the right species to providing consistent post-planting care—you’ll give your tree the best foundation for a long, healthy life. Now, all that’s left to do is to watch your holiday memory take root. Get started today with a living Christmas tree and cherish it as a permanent, thriving gift to your home and environment.
For additional tree planting tips and ongoing tree care, check out https://txmg.org/rockwall/10-steps-to-planting-and-maintaining-a-healthy-new-tree/ and https://txmg.org/rockwall/files/MG-trees-.pdf for tree success!
Article by Linda Gates, Rockwall County Extension Master Gardener, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Photos by Lisa Walk and Rockwall County Master Gardeners.
Living Christmas Trees: Hold onto the joy of the holidays for years to come added by Melanie M on
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