Living Trees Appeal to Owner Taste and Space
Living Christmas trees vary in price, looks, and growth habits. Though options may be limited this late in the season, some nurseries may still have a selection. Be sure to check availability before visiting a nursery.
Recommended Trees for This Region
The following trees tend to do well in this region:
- Aleppo Pine: A moderate grower, reaching 40 to 50 feet at maturity. Features soft branches and needles. Must be sheared to maintain a dense shape. Prune when most new growth tips have appeared, removing two-thirds of the new growth. Best in a container for a couple of years, after which it must be planted in the ground.
- Blue Point Juniper: A pyramidal-shaped tree with dense, blue-green foliage. Requires no shearing. Best kept in partial sun in very hot areas. Grows up to 8 feet tall, making it an excellent long-term container plant.
- Italian Stone Pine: Starts as a stout, bushy tree, becoming umbrella-shaped as it matures. Reaches 40 to 80 feet at full growth. Soft branches and needles. Needs shearing to maintain shape. Prune when new growth tips appear, removing two-thirds of the growth. Lasts longer in containers than other varieties like Leylandii cypress and Monterey pine.
- Leylandii Cypress: A tall, evergreen tree with a pyramidal habit. Soft, fern-like foliage that does not shed like other pines. Grows quickly, reaching 15 to 20 feet in five years. Best in containers for a few years before being planted in the ground.
- Monterey Pine: A very fast-growing tree that can reach 80 feet. Features deep green foliage with soft branches and needles. Requires shearing to maintain a dense shape. Prune when new growth tips appear. Best in containers for a couple of years before being planted in the ground.