Outdoor Christmas Trees

Outdoor Christmas trees mean different things to different people.

For some, it has to be a large Norway spruce, decorated with lights, tinsel and baubles. For others, it could be an ornamental cherry tree, bare of leaf in winter, strung about with fairy lights.

Me, I think an outdoor Christmas tree is a tree which may be a real or may be artificial. It may be a traditional Christmas tree species; it may be decorated with a star on the top. Or it may be a small tree in a container or it may be a specimen thirty-foot high.

I feel that the most important aspect of outdoor Christmas trees is the same as for indoor Christmas trees. That it is a celebration. This could be to celebrate Christmas, the Winter Solstice, or any Festival of Light and rebirth. It is about giving thanks and cheering us up in the short days of midwinter.

Christmas tree at St Paul’s Cathedral, London

Outdoor Christmas trees – allergies and scent

One reason for having an outdoor Christmas tree could be that you are concerned about possible allergies. An increase in breathing and sinus problems among those prone to such complaints has possibly been linked to spores found on pine needles. The warmth of centrally heated houses seems to encourage the dispersal of the spores. If you are at all concerned, hosing down real trees with water before taking them into the house should help. (Remember to let them dry out first)

Illustration by Rory Waterfield for Plews “In Your Winter Garden” eBook

Although as most bought Christmas trees are farm raised and sold as relatively immature trees, pollen shouldn’t be an issue anyway.

It is possible, though, that some people might be sensitive to the natural scent of some conifer trees. In which case, perhaps choosing a pine which has a weaker scent than a fir would be helpful.

The most delicious Christmas aroma is from a Fraser fir with its rich balsam scent epitomises Christmas and Christmas trees for me. It will fill your house with its scent. This makes the Fraser fir one of the best outdoor Christmas trees to be planted against a path.

Outdoor Christmas trees – planted or potted?

Should your outdoor Christmas tree be planted in the soil or in a container?

If you already have a 30 foot conifer behind the compost bin because you planted a Christmas tree a few years ago and forgot about it, the question may be academic! However, deciding where to plant a fir tree or pine tree that will grace your garden year round and take centre stage over the festive season does requires some planning.

Conifers prefer an acid soil, so if your soil is alkaline, it may be better to grow your outdoor Christmas tree in a large pot rather than in the border.

Smaller gardens can easily accommodate a Christmas tree in a pot, replanted into a larger container as the years pass and the tree grows. There are ways to make your tree interesting if it is in a visible part of your garden. For example, under planting the tree with winter flowering cyclamen to co-ordinate with your tree decorations would also extend the interest beyond the actual Christmas festivities.

You could add spring flowering bulbs to both a container tree and one growing in the earth for a splash of colour.

The size of your garden is important, as may conifers can reach fifty feet when mature. As a general rule, they do not take well to being cut back, although this will depend on the species. So make sure there is space for your tree to grow width wise as well as height wise.

Real or Artifical Outdoor Christmas trees?

As for artificial trees, there is not a problem with your soil type or with it growing too big for the space. But do remember to buy a good quality one, as it will be at the mercy of wind, rain and snow. Oh, and you’ll need somewhere to store it for ten months of the year. It will be easier to take with you when you move house, of course.

And of course, all those large outdoor Christmas trees require large baubles and decorations to add to the festive cheer.

dried fruit as decoration on an outdoor christmas tree

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift with a difference, why not ask about our bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden? We can help with both gardening basics and more ‘expert tasks’, carry out worm and other experiments and for example, also show you how to plan a wildlife friendly ornamental border.

And for further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet – You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.

And for those of you who like Christmas – why not download our eBook “Christmas and Yule in Your Garden“? Based on the seasonal blogs it has addtiional content and photos.