Transplanting your fake Christmas tree seems an easy task, but improper transplanting will jeopardize the tree's survival. This is the sixth year we transplant our fake Christmas tree, and I thought I'd share with you what we've learned so far, though of course I'm always open to suggestions for perfecting our technique.
ESTIMATED TIME: 2 hours, though it took us 2 days (still, a definite improvement from last year).
STEP 1
Carefully remove any infestants and other debris that have been hanging on your tree during the festivities. If left on the tree, they may cause limb damage.
Don't underestimate this job, which involves a delicate balancing act between exactly what might constitute future damage and what not. Enlist specialized help if you're not sure how to proceed.
STEP 2
Study carefully and prepare the hole into which the tree will be transplanted.
Resist the temptation to break up the soil at the bottom. Instead, gently fix it in place: a little basic equipment is useful at this stage, like duct tape and scissors.
STEP 3
Gently slide the tree into the hole, roots first, taking care to keep the root-ball and the tree limbs intact.
STEP 4
Pack it full and tamp it down as firmly as you can. Don't be afraid to use some force: you want to make sure you eliminate any air pockets that could cause the tree to shift after transplanting.
STEP 5
Cover with mulch and manure.
Sorry, it's a bit dark in there, but I can assure you that there's plenty of mulch and manure over our tree.
STEP 6
Say good-bye to your tree until tree until next Christmas!
