If you buy a live evergreen tree this year, rather than a cut or artificial one, you can plant it outdoors after the holidays to enjoy for years to come.
Trees are available at many nurseries throughout our North Country.
Select one that is potted in a bushel basket or other large container or balled with burlap into a large, firm root ball. Avoid any tree with foliage that is dried out, brittle, brown-tipped, or otherwise lacking good color. Select a tree that is uniformly shaped on all sides without gaps or holes where branches are broken or missing. Another thing to keep in mind is that the container will add extra height and the soil ball, extra weight. So, you may want to go with a smaller tree than usual.