How to Care for your Gift Tree

Caring for your Northern Roots Gift Tree is simple and rewarding. With proper care, your Norway Spruce tree will be a lasting and cherished gift. Here are some quick and easy tips to help your tree thrive.

Why Norway Spruce?

Top Tips

Pot or plant your tree as soon as possible. If the ground is frozen, you will need to pot it.
If you pot your tree, keep it outdoors or indoors until it's ready to be planted in the ground.
Trees can stay in pots for many months or a few years. As your tree grows, transplant it into a larger pot or plant it outdoors.

Option 1: Planting Your Gift Tree in the Ground

Step 1: Pick a Spot

Choose a sunny location where your tree will have plenty of room to grow. Keep in mind that Norway spruces grow to a length of 30 to 60 metres in maturity and can spread up to 12 metres across.

Step 2: Dig a Hole

Dig a hole that allows the roots to spread out and positions the plug about 1/4 to 1/2 inch below ground level. Most plugs are about 5 inches, so your hole should be less than 6 inches deep, depending on the plug size.

Step 3: Water It

Give the area a good soaking with water. Afterward, make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.

Step 4: TLC

In the first year, keep an eye on the tree and water it during dry weather. Afterward, taking care of the tree is pretty easy - it doesn't need much maintenance!

Option 2: Potting Your Gift Tree & Leaving it Outdoors

Step 1: Find a Pot

Find a pot with a drainage hole, either from your order or one you have available. Opt for a container around 1 gallon in size. Fill the pot with soil, using regular potting soil or topsoil. Note that most soil lacks nutrients; use the provided slow-release fertilizer or a suitable option to keep your tree healthy and strong.

Step 2: Plant it

Hold the tree in the middle of the pot, making sure the plug is in the center. Add soil gently around the seedling to keep it stable and standing straight. Keep the soil around the roots loose so they can grow well and water can reach them. Make sure the top of the plug is flush with the soil.

Step 3: Put it Outdoors

Place the potted tree outdoors, even during winter. Choose a suitable outdoor spot for your container. Exposure to natural elements is beneficial, mimicking the tree's future conditions when planted in the ground. If your area gets colder then -10 °C, the pot should be covered in snow.

Step 4: Water when Dry

Water the tree well when you plant it. Usually, rainwater is enough, but if the soil gets dry, especially in the summer, fall and spring, you might need to add more water. Don't overwater, as too much water for a long time can harm the tree.

Option 3: Potting Your Gift Tree & Leaving it Indoors

Step 1: Find a Pot

Find a pot with a drainage hole, either from your order or one you have available. Opt for a container around 1 gallon in size. Fill the pot with soil, using regular potting soil or topsoil. Note that most soil lacks nutrients; use the provided slow-release fertilizer or a suitable option to keep your tree healthy and strong.

Step 2: Plant it

Hold the tree in the middle of the pot, making sure the plug is in the center. Add soil gently around the seedling to keep it stable and standing straight. Keep the soil around the roots loose so they can grow well and water can reach them. Make sure the top of the plug is flush with the soil.

Step 3: Put it Near a Window

Place the potted tree indoors. Select an appropriate indoor location for your tree, ensuring it receives ample sunlight, until it can eventually be transferred outdoors for planting.

Step 4: Water when Dry

Water the tree well when you pot it. If the soil gets dry, add more water. Don't overwater, as too much water for a long time can harm the tree.