Damon Mcknight
Christmas trees are usually cut down and discarded after the festive season, but growing your own tree can be a sustainable alternative. In Australia, the most common Christmas tree is the Radiata Pine or Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), which can grow up to three meters tall in two years. With its pleasant scent and long, soft needles, it is a popular choice for those wanting a real tree. Other options include the Norway Spruce, the English or Japanese Boxwood, and the Lillypilly tree, which can be clipped into a festive cone shape. For those looking for an unconventional tree, there are also Bromeliad Christmas trees created using specially designed plant stands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Christmas tree species in Australia | Radiata Pine or Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), Fir Trees (e.g., Nordmann Fir), Tree Junipers (e.g., Spartan Juniper), Norway Spruce, Lillypillies, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Norfolk Island Pine, Wollemi Pine, Long-leaf Fig, NSW Christmas Bush |
| Typical characteristics of Christmas trees | Fragrant, needle-like leaves, conical or Christmas tree shape, pine scent |
| Time to grow a Christmas tree | Typically 4-6 years, some varieties can take up to 12 years or more |
| Planting and care | Choose pest-free, bushy trees with a straight trunk. Repot every 1-2 years, ensuring proper watering as they dry out quickly. |
| Unconventional options | "Bromeliad Christmas trees", Woolly Bush or Pat Bush (native to Western Australia) |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a Christmas tree species
When choosing a Christmas tree species, there are several factors to consider, such as the typical Australian climate, the available space, and the desired aesthetic. Here are some popular options to consider:
Pinus Radiata or Monterey Pine
The Pinus Radiata, also known as the Radiata Pine or Monterey Pine, is the most common and widely available Christmas tree species in Australia. These pines have long, soft, needle-like leaves that give off a pleasant and nostalgic Christmas pine scent. They are fast-growing and suitable for most Australian gardens. Pinus Radiata can be planted in the ground or kept in a pot, but they can grow quite tall, reaching over 30 meters in their natural environment. It is recommended to pot them up every 1-2 years and pay close attention to watering as they can dry out quickly.
Fir Trees
Fir trees, such as the Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana), have short, fragrant, needle-like leaves and a classic Christmas tree shape. They are available as potted or live-cut trees and are very slow-growing, making them ideal for those who want a long-lasting Christmas tree. In the ground, they can grow up to 15 meters, but they are more commonly kept in pots, where they only reach about 2 meters in 10 years.
Piceas
Piceas are another popular choice for Christmas trees, known for their short, fragrant, needle-like leaves and traditional Christmas tree shape. They are slow-growing and long-lived, making them a good investment. The European Spruce (Picea abies) is a moderately fast-growing variety with very short leaves, while the Christmas Star or White Spruce (Picea glauca) is slower-growing and more compact, making it ideal for tabletop displays.
Norfolk Island Pines
Norfolk Island Pines (Araucaria heterophylla) are not considered "true pines" as they lack the distinctive pine scent. They have short, pointed leaves and rope-like branches, and they are only available as potted trees. These trees can grow quite tall, reaching up to 10 meters or more, so they are best suited for those with ample space.
Tree Junipers
Tree junipers, such as the Spartan Juniper (Juniper chinensis), are commonly used as garden trees and can be shaped into attractive cone shapes. They are fast-growing and can be kept in pots or planted in the ground. Like pines, they require regular repotting and frequent watering to prevent drying out.
NSW Christmas Bush
The NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) is a festive Australian native plant with rich, waxy red flowers and deep green leaves. It instantly creates a unique Aussie Christmas feel and can be decorated with optional additions.
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Potted vs. live-cut trees
If you're looking for a real Christmas tree in Australia, you'll likely come across two options: potted trees and live-cut trees. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice for you will depend on your preferences and circumstances.
Potted trees are a great option if you want a long-lasting tree that can be enjoyed beyond the festive season. They are usually bought with their roots still attached and placed in a pot or container. This means they require regular watering and care, not just during the Christmas period but all year round. Potted trees can be kept indoors for about a week during the holidays, but they must be placed outside in a shady spot after that to avoid breaking dormancy. Popular options for potted trees include Fir Trees such as the Nordmann Fir, which has short, fragrant, needle-like leaves and a traditional Christmas tree shape. Tree Junipers, such as the Spartan Juniper, are another option, but they grow very quickly and can reach up to 35 meters high, so they may not be suitable for smaller spaces.
On the other hand, live-cut trees are a more traditional choice for many. These trees are typically bought without their roots and are cut fresh from a farm or lot. While they don't require the same level of care as potted trees, live-cut trees still need attention to ensure they don't dry out. The tree stem should be recut, and the tree should be given plenty of water (4-5 litres) each day for at least six weeks. The Radiata Pine or Monterey Pine is the most common and widely available live-cut tree in Australia, known for its long, soft, needle-like leaves and that classic Christmas pine scent.
Ultimately, the decision between a potted tree and a live-cut tree depends on your personal preference and how much time and effort you want to put into caring for your Christmas tree. Potted trees offer a longer-term commitment and require regular maintenance, while live-cut trees are a more temporary option that still needs careful attention during the holidays.
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How to care for your tree
If you're looking to care for a live Christmas tree, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, choose a tree that is free of pests and diseases, has a straight and strong central trunk, and is nicely balanced and bushy. Avoid trees with roots that are pot-bound or girdling, or with dry potting mix.
For pot-grown trees, it's important to use the right size pot and to keep a close eye on watering, as some trees can dry out very quickly. Repot your tree every one to two years into a larger pot to allow it to continue growing. Tree junipers, Norfolk Island pines, and Radiata pines are all suitable for potting, but be aware that Norfolk Island pines can grow up to 35 meters high and 15 meters wide, so they need plenty of space.
If you're planning to plant your tree directly into the ground, be mindful of the space you have available. Fir trees, for example, can grow up to 60 meters in their native cold climate habitat, while Radiata pines can grow over 30 meters high. If you're choosing a cut tree, remember that it will need plenty of water each day (4-5 litres) to stay fresh.
Some trees, like the NSW Christmas Bush, have festive features such as rich, waxy red flowers and deep green leaves, creating an instant Christmas feel without the need for additional decorations. Others, like the Dwarf Alberta spruce, have an attractive shape and compact nature, making them ideal for small spaces or tables.
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Choosing a cut tree
If you're looking for a cut tree, the most common and widely available Christmas tree in Australia is the Radiata Pine or Monterey Pine (*Pinus radiata*). These pines have very long, soft, needle-like leaves that give off a strong Christmas pine scent. They are fast-growing and suitable for most Australian gardens. Radiata pines can grow over 30 metres high, so they are best kept in a pot.
Another option is the Norway Spruce, the traditional Christmas tree seen throughout Europe, loved for its shapely form and layered branches, which are ideal for holding Christmas baubles. It also has a beautiful pine scent and its short, deep-green needles are softer than other spruces. This tree has a moderate growth rate, so it should be re-potted every two years.
Fir trees, such as the Nordmann Fir (*Abies nordmanniana*), have short, fragrant, needle-like leaves with a typical Christmas tree shape. They are available as live-cut trees and are very slow-growing, only growing 2 metres in 10 years, so they can be kept in a pot for many years.
When choosing a cut tree, look for trees that are free of pests and diseases, reasonably balanced and bushy, with a nice straight and strong central trunk. For many conifers, avoid trees that have had the tip of their central trunk lopped off, as this may spoil the shape of the tree. Avoid trees with roots that are pot-bound or girdling, potting mix that has shrunk away from the edge, or very dry potting mix.
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Christmas tree farms
The Christmas tree farming process involves significant pruning and shaping to achieve the desired conical shape. It takes around four years to grow a Christmas tree, and farmers often plant multiple trees to ensure sustainability. After the festive season, some farms invite customers to return their trees to be made into mulch and redistributed on the farm.
When choosing a Christmas tree, it is essential to consider factors such as size, type, and freshness. Trees typically range from 2 to 3 metres in height, with prices varying depending on the size and additional services. While cut trees are a popular option, potted trees, such as the Wollemi pine, a native Australian conifer, offer a long-term alternative. Potted trees require careful watering and should be kept away from heat stress and hot, dry conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Pinus Radiata, or Radiata Pine, is the most common Christmas tree grown in Australia. It can grow up to three meters tall in two years and has a pleasant scent and long, soft needles.
It can take between four and six years to grow a Christmas tree, with some varieties taking up to twelve years or more.
Some alternative Christmas tree options include the Norfolk Island Pine, Lillypilly trees, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, and the Wollemi Pine.
If you have a real Christmas tree, it's important to keep it well-watered. Cut trees will need 4-5 litres of water each day for at least six weeks. Potted trees should also be monitored closely for watering as they tend to dry out quickly.
You can buy real Christmas trees from Christmas tree farms, which can deliver to your doorstep, or you can cut your own at a tree farm.
