We’re closer to Christmas in July than December right now, so a gardener asked: “I have a living Christmas tree: 3ft Monterey Pine in a pot. I’ve been watering, but all the needles are crispy. Afraid I’ve killed it but don’t want to bury unless I know for sure if it’s truly dead. Can you help or point me in a direction? Yours, Pink Thumb in Mar Vista”
I’ve haven’t done a lot of research on this one, but honey, it’s dead. Bid your living tree a fond farewell. Your tree probably became a victim of pitch canker, a fungal disease that is wiping out Monterey Pine trees throughout California. I have also heard it said that having a living tree indoors is somewhere akin to plant torture, not that anyone ever intends it to be. Here’s why:
Trees take in their supply of moisture from the air around them through their leaves. The climate indoors is far more dry than outside (notice you don’t wake up in the morning with dew all over your sofa). When a pine tree is brought indoors, it can handle it for a little while, but eventually it will start to dry out from lack of humidity. In your desert climate of Southern California, you need a tree that can cut it in the dry Santa Ana winds. Here is an article of good choices for that region.
Sunset Magazine’s Living Tree article
On a positive note, I witnessed a friend keep a living Christmas tree alive for 3 Christmases. He wheeled it outside each year after the holiday season passed and kept it watered and well fed. It was a funky little tree with character, much more interesting than what you can buy at Home Depot. So give it a second try, with one of the suggested varieties listed in the article and report back on your progress.
Thanks for writing in!
