Xmas tree cuttings

[greasyfire]

First thing i know i shouldnt of post this in veg but everyone seems to be her so...yeah. Now i buy a christmas tree every year and its a great big 7ft and we spend all this money one this tree. People tell me to buy fake but you cant exsperience the smell and feel of a reel one so today i have taken cuttings of a fresh tree i bought today and i am wondering how to propagate them. So i am just wondering about your takes about this and i have hear they can take more than one year to root

[zazen999]

I've moved it into new shoots; it's not really veg related and I can't decide where else to put this one.

[Jeanied]

Hi Greasyfire - like the new avatar, by the way - propagation of conifer cuttings is a very complex and technical area - involving bottom heat and an overhead misting system and some careful temperature control. The only other alternative is using seeds - which takes many years, also involving moisture and temperature control. Hence the expense of Chritsmas trees!
However some varieties are easier than others so it is worth doing a bit of research - some people have really strong preferences to the kind of tree they want as a Christmas tree!

[greasyfire]

Thanks for that jeanied i think it would be easier to buy a potted tree then.

[sewer rat]

Have a trawl on the internet - there are companies that specialise in the supply of young Christmas trees (though admittedly they are selling them to commercial growers) The guy who owns the 70ha of forest that I have started looking after is contemplating buying loads of young saplings of Nordmann Fir next year to plant in containers, which in turn are planted in the ground and dug up after 4 - 5 years. If you are prepared to wait, I'll send you one (a young sapling that is - not the container grown tree )
Alternatively, go for a walk in any coniferous forest and dig up some self seeded saplings - Scots Pine are notoriously vigourous and quick growing in the wild and can be pruned and shaped to make a nice tree. Norway spruce too is quite common and is probably the most common Christmas tree in the UK.

[Two_Sheds]

you cant exsperience the smell and feel of a reel one

ah yes, the feel of a million sharp needles stuck in the carpet fibres, I remember it well, if not fondly

I don't like cut flowers (they're dead as soon as you cut them) and so I hate cut trees too.

I've got a small fir in a pot outside the back door: we did bring it in to decorate last year but it doesn't like the central heating, so we make do with the placky one now. It comes down from the loft once a year looking good as new, and will probably see me out.

[rustylady]

ah yes, the feel of a million sharp needles stuck in the carpet fibres, I remember it well, if not fondly

It does make the room smell nice though, specially when you hoover them up. My worst experience was when I lived in a flat in Plymouth and me and my mate decided to have a joint Xmas. We bought a real tree from the market. Set it up in her flat (2nd floor). LOVELY. Trouble was, when Xmas was over, we had to cart the nearly dead tree with all its dropping needles all the way down the stairs to the back yard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[greasyfire]

I love the smell but hate the price

[sewer rat]

ah yes, the feel of a million sharp needles stuck in the carpet fibres, I remember it well, if not fondly

I remember those days too. You should try a Nordmann Fir or Scots Pine - if kept in a water holding stand, neither of these varieties will drop their needles, and any that do drop are not sharp and spiky like those of the Norway Spruce.

[Bagpuss]

Hi
My folks have had some luck in keeping the same tree going for the last three years. Potted in the garden when not needed, brought in for Chrimbo duty. Not sure whether that might be a way forward for you?

[greasyfire]

Bagpuss how did you buy the tree and has it rooted, what was the size of the tree and do you know what species of pine it is.

[Two_Sheds]

Greasyfire, you want a pot-grown tree, (obviously not one cut off at the stump); bare rooted trees might survive too but are less successful, and you'll need to restrict its roots to prevent it taking off and growing like mad in the ground.

This company uses Abies nordmanniana

[Nicos]

The secret with dropped needles-cut up the tree in situ with a pair of secateurs straight into a bin bag!- simples!!

[greasyfire]

yeah i am thinking of geting a potted tree now

[Nicos]

We used to get a small potted tree for the dining room- and keep it outside until the following year. Used to last about 3-4 years until it was too bit to fit on the little table in the corner.
The thing to be careful about is to buy it asap and slowly introduce it to the warmth , water it well over Xmas, and then slowly get it used to being outdoors again. The other thing is best to get one pot grown cos it'll have all it's own roots. Some trees are dug up, cutting off a lot of roots, and bunged into pots. They often can't survive the shock.
Pot grown will of course be moe expensive cos they will have needed regular watering - as opposed to those growing in a field and then potted up with half their roots missing.