Wood is one of the most sustainable building materials currently available, so as joiners we know it is the perfect choice for your windows, doors, or joinery. Timber and forestry also have a pivotal role to play as part of the solution to fighting climate change as trees are a natural carbon capture and storage facility that seize harmful CO2 from the atmosphere and store it as carbon in its wood.
As we are currently living at a time where CO2 levels are rising by an unprecedented amount, it has become increasingly important to consider the environmental impact of the materials we choose to use. As expert joiners, we are doing everything we can to be as environmentally conscious as possible. One way that you can do your bit this Christmas is to plant out your real Christmas tree once the festive period is over – every little helps after all.
Here are our simple instructions to planting out your real Christmas tree successfully:
1) Your tree needs its roots! Unfortunately, you can only plant out a tree that has been bought in containers and still have their roots or root-ball attached. A tree that has been cut above the roots, is dead and will not survive outside. Please bear this in mind when selecting your tree. The good news is that Christmas trees in pots tend to last longer and keep their needles for longer.
2) Determine your tree type. Check what type of tree you have i.e. container-grown (grown in a container) or containerised (grown in the ground then dug up and put in a pot). Container-grown trees tend to be a little more expensive, but they are more likely to survive being planted outside, because they have not suffered any recent root damage. Containerised trees might survive, but they might not live as long as you had hoped.
3) Prepare the tree for planting. Anyone that has had a real Christmas tree in their home before will know that it is important to keep it cool and well-watered. The bold contrast between our toasty living rooms and the icy January weather can severely damage and even kill the tree. Avoid putting it by the fireplace or right next to a radiator. You could also try putting ice cubes in the pot for gradual watering. Ideally, acclimatise the tree gently to outside temperatures by storing in the garage for a week or two before planting it outside.
4) Get planting. Plant on a dry day when the ground is free from frost and not waterlogged. Water the tree thoroughly and generously to hydrate its roots and make it easy to remove from its pot. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball, remove the tree from its pot and plant it in the hole. Depth is important – don’t bury the root ball and trunk any deeper than they were in the pot.
Fill in the hole with the soil and water it well and water it during any dry spells from then on. If the tree looks unstable, you may have to stake it until it becomes established. Apply an organic mulch around the base of the tree would be an ideal addition too.
There you have it, when this year’s festivities are over on the twelfth night, you won’t need to find a recycling point for your container-grown tree. Simply, plant it outside and enjoy throughout the year and in the years to come. Alternatively, you might decide to dig it up the following year and bring inside. Beware though – it is doubtful to survive being planted outside again after that.
All our timber here at New Forest Joinery comes from FSC and PEFC certified forests. So, if your windows or doors are installed by us, you can rest assured that the wood used to create your products is of exceptional quality, sustainable and good for the environment.
