Ask Anne!

Anne Swithinbank’s masterclass on: Christmas trees

Can I grow a Christmas tree?

Q We’re into sustainability and have bought Christmas trees in pots to re-use. Can we plant them out, and how can I start them from seed? Marcia Knotts, Macclesfield

A It’s been estimated that you’d have to re-use a synthetic tree over 20 times to beat the green credentials of buying a live tree annually. One can’t help feeling sorry for the sawn-off Christmas tree, but remember it takes around seven years to grow to a decent size, in which time the plantations are acting as carbon sinks and usually sited on poor land not great for growing edible crops. You have saved even more resources by re-using pot-grown trees, but the ultimate could be carrying a pack of seeds into your garden and growing your own.

Yes, you can plant potted trees out into good well-drained soil and maintain a compact shape by trimming branches. You could fix outdoor lights in them, saw the trunk for a final festive stint or lift, pot, display and replant.