Expert: Jim Hyland - 6/11/2006

Question
My husband gave me a evergreen tree for Christmas, and since we live in Ontario Canada near Toronto we decided to keep it in doors.  The ground was covered in snow and frozen when I received the potted tree.

I have a cat who thinks he can climb the little tree and is slowing killing it.  We would love to be able to put it outside, but am not sure if the change of climate would harm the tree.  This time of year the temperature can get up to 40 degrees Celsius, and in the dead of winter down to about - 40 C.

Can you tell us, if moving the tree outside would kill the tree?

Answer
It depends on what species of evergreen you have. A native evergreen will survive the winters and should be planted out side. Check with a local nursery (maybe the one who sold the tree) and determine the species. If it is native--dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep as the pot. Fill the hole witth a good potting soil and mulch and water. The tree should do just fine.