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Saved Little Xmas Tree

connie77connie77 Posts: 151
in Problem solving
Hi, just looking for some advice please? I have saved a little Christmas Tree today, dumped in a small pot by some bins, poor thing is dropping needles & looks neglected, is there any way of saving it? & what type of Soil should I repot it into? I have had to sit it outside for now in my Porch , but it’s Snowing , just not sure what to do??
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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    A good soil - JI 2 or 3 would be the best bet but depending on how long it has been left as to whether it will recover. 
    Tip it out and check the rootball - signs of life ?  Worth re potting ( a pot with drainage holes) and placing in a sheltered spot outside.  Watch and wait. When the weather warms up over the next couple of months, you may see signs of life 
    An Xmas tree can cover more than one species these days so perhaps a photo would help if possible ?  Good luck with bringing it back to life anyway  :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If it's been dry long term, it may be too late. If the root ball is dry, soak the whole thing in a bucket of water, then pot it up again. 
    Do as @philippasmith2 describes re putting it somewhere you can keep an eye on it, and don't worry about snow. Fir trees are pretty used to that  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • connie77connie77 Posts: 151

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Might be ok. It depends on the root ball and how viable it is  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    There is still an amount of green there ,you might resurrect it if you’re lucky . Good soak till the bubbles stop and re pot as has been suggested. Good luck .
  • connie77connie77 Posts: 151
    Thanks 👍 had a look at the Root ball it seems to be wet & I always check for little nasties as well before bringing any Plant home 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited March 2023
    It looks a bit like Picea albertanica conica.  Worth saving.  

    If it's just a small Xmas tree, it's not worth bothering.  It would grow into a forest giant and be expensive to remove.

    Snow is your friend.  If it has been in a warm place, it might not enjoy frost.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'll have to keep potting it on as it grows, as per our earlier posts, keeping it moist enough, and maintaining it - ie trimming ends lightly, occasionally, to get it in a decent shape [as commercial growers do]  but you can always plant it out somewher
    e to grow on for five or ten years, and then cut it down for your C'mas tree.  :)

    Don't cosset it though. Hotter, drier conditions will be difficult in a pot, so keep it somewhere out of heat/sun if you aren't in a cooler damper part of the country. Easier in the ground as they can cope better once established.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Don't plant it in your garden unless you have a very big garden. They grow to be enormous.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They take a long time to get big though - hence my comment.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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