Yesterday when I went to the alley to spread out some too-fibrous-to-eat winter squash seeds for the squirrels, I spotted this little prize waiting for me next to the dumpster! It seemed to say “I thought you’d never come!” so I scooped it up and back into the house we went. I surprised F with it when he got home from work — he loved it! If you get really close it has a heavenly smell, just like a grown-up evergreen. F wants to re-pot it into something larger and nicer.
I sometimes have a hard time identifying evergreens, so I pulled out my Grandma Helen’s book, Hardy Evergreens, from 1934. Helen was my dad’s mom, and sadly I never got to meet her; from what everyone says about her, though, we would have been two nature-loving peas in a pod. Anyway, it’s pretty hard to tell, but our tree might be some kind of fir (from the flattened needle shape, needle growth habit, and bud shape). At first I was thinking spruce, but the needle cross section shape suggests more of a fir. Ah well, it doesn’t really matter.
I’m not sure if it likes to be inside in the warmth… I’m thinking outside against the south wall would suit it better; does anyone have experience with these?
*****
Well found Lindsey!
What a gorgeous book…I love that you have your Grandma Helen’s book on evergreens.
Outside against the south wall sounds like a good idea…then next year you can bring him indoors as your solstice tree!
Much love.xxx
I dislike being stumped on a plant Lindsey, but even the close-up doesn’t make ID clear. The needles do look more spruce-like to me, since fir needles are usually distinctively flat and kind
of round tipped. Firs do smell of orange when needles are crushed. One thing I do know
is that it won’t be happy in your warm apt. It will be just fine outside in it’s pot over the winter – that’s where it would be right now if someone hadn’t bought it as a Christmas decoration!
PS…if you’re still concerned about it’s well-being outside, sink it, in it’s pot, in a corner of your garden and figure out a home for it in the spring. And remember, it will most likely eventually grow to a 30-50′ ht., so place accordingly.
Just one more thought…it could be a rather scraggly (from being inside someone else’s warm apt. ?) Dwarf Alberta Spruce, in which case, you’re looking at a slow growing cutie…10′ in 10 yrs.
I had one of these one year for Xmas – they called it a Living Xmas Tree and I was so excited to plant it come Spring. It didn’t live long enough. As I kept it indoors, I’m guessing that might have been the problem. South Wall sounds good.. maybe bring it in on the wickedest nights of cold just in case. I’m just guessing though.. Could you send the photo to the CSU extension for confirmed identification and care tips?
Hi Jane, thanks for the ID tips — the needles are tiny — and look round — but are actually flat when you feel them between your fingers, so that’s why I’m thinking fir… plus the buds have a sort of point to them, rather than being rounded. Anyway, yes, it’ll be going outside today — thanks for your culture tips!! 😉 I think I will sink it into the ground, or at least mulch it very well.
Thanks Sasha! Wonderful to hear from you… sending you love.
Too bad yours didn’t live… that seems like a common theme with living Christmas trees from what I’ve heard, hehe! It’ll be going outdoors TODAY! 😀
Much love,
Lindsey