Live Christmas trees--potted, not chopped down

[jessersmisadventures]

I love real, live, piney-scented Christmas trees . . . however, they're usually a little expensive, AND I usually felt guilty when the grandmom used to get one . . . cutting down a tree just for a few weeks of enjoyment doesn't really seem to honor our beautiful planet . . . Soooo . . . my dad solved the problem a few years ago by buying a 3-4 foot POTTED pine tree (don't remember the specific variety).  We decorated it with small ornaments, kept it watered, and then in spring, when the ground thawed, we planted it in the yard. 
I plan on getting one for our apartment this year, then donating the tree to a friend or family-member who has a yard.  I'll try to post pics when I have time . . . . Just thought I'd share my idea, since I hadn't seen it mentioned in other posts.

[independentlulu]

My brother does this but a little differently.  Every year he gets a live potted tree and at the end of the season he plants it in his yard.  He has a fairly good sized lot and it is just beautiful.  I think it is a lovely tradition.

[sweets4ever]

Ooh, this is a great alternative!

[TerraBella01]

I just bought a potted Christmas tree today. It's called a Norfolk Island Pine and is supposed to grow well in warmer climates, but is a good evergreen tree to keep indoors for those of us who are in colder areas.  I'm hoping that I will be able to keep it alive for at least a year. I plan on making some small decorations to go on it this weekend. 

[jen_a_s]

I am rocking my Norfolk Island pine for its second Christmas.

I am a gardener, but I am a houseplant serial-killer, so if I can keep this baby alive, anybody can!   

Anyway, obviously it depends on your climate, but you may be able to do what I do:  put it outside over the summer, somewhere relatively shady so that it doesn't become too used to full sun and then suffer when it comes inside. Then bring it in before first frost.

I found a lot of my existing ornaments are too heavy for the branches, but if you're making your own this weekend, then you can keep them lightweight.
Yay norfolk island christmas tree! 

[Aislynn]

My parents did this one year, but the tree didn't come potted...that would have simplified things.  It was a rather large tree (five and a half feet, maybe?) and it had the ball on the end...you know, roots and dirt wrapped up in burlap.  We had to stand it in a pot and then tie it to the wall, as it wasn't even approaching stable.  I'm sure, if there was a place near them that sold potted trees, they would have done it more than once.  I am happy to report, though, that ten years later, the tree is still alive and well, in their yard!

[Ivablu1]

A good friend of mine has a really cool tree, it is a special variety (cant remember what sorry) that doesnt grow much, so you buy it and then just keep it in its pot, and every christmas decorate it! I think they have had theirs for about 10 years, and it still fits in their living room! cost effective too;) and it was really pretty!