For the past three years I've gotten a living Dwarf Alberta Spruce to use
as our Christmas tree. When Christmas is over we take off all the
ornaments and sit it out on the patio where it receives sun and rain. In
February I plant it in the ground and by May it's DEAD:-( This has
happened every year and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
This year in particular my wife said to just throw it out after the
holidays. But I just can't bring myself to throwing something living in
the yardwaste cart. It just seems so wrong. By the time I planted it this
year it was already losing many of its needles. Right now it's planted in
the ground where it receives sun for at least 10 hours a day. I also give
it water at least 2 times a week since we're not getting much rain here in
the San Francisco bay area.
Currently the tree has lost ALL its needles. I broke open one of the
smaller branches and noticed it was green inside. The branch wasn't dry
either, it didn't snap easily. So I'm not totally convinced the tree is
dead. How long should I wait before I dig it out of the ground? Is it
possible the tree will come back to life and grow new needles? What am I
doing wrong? Too much or little sun? Too much or little water? Poor
soil? The ground in our area bakes hard as a brick and is very difficult
to dig a hole. I usually mix in some tree and shrub soil to give
everything a boost and to loosen up things.
