Christmas Trees are the best and worst tradition. I don’t know about you, but for years I spent hours agonising over where every single bauble should go, what colour scheme to do, tinsel or no tinsel. Then after I’d finished I’d stand back, take stock and cry because after so many painful hours, it still didn’t look like a department store tree. Nowadays, I just let the kids go wild with it. If it doesn’t look perfect, I just think ‘Oh well, at least they had fun!’
While watching the kids decorate the tree, I began to wonder why we even have Christmas trees and why they are always depicted as Evergreens or Conifers. The answer is in the song.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
Evergreens, or as we know them, conifers, are green all the time - that is, their leaves never change. Christmas in the northern hemisphere occurs during the bleakest days of the year, so evergreens present a vibrant contrast to the natural world outside - ‘Not only green when summer's here, But also when 'tis cold and drear’.
Because of this, people throughout history have regarded them as special symbols of eternal life or rebirth.
I’ve found many theories of why we decorate our trees at Christmas time, but my favourite was that the tree was decorated with apples (to represent the forbidden fruit) and wafers (to represent the Eucharist and redemption).
So I may not be able to decorate the tree perfectly, but how do I choose the perfect Christmas tree?
Christmas trees are different for everyone, however, in general, Pinus radiata and Picea glauca ‘Christmas Star’ are the most commonly used live Christmas trees.
Picea glauca ‘Christmas Star’ is a compact, slow growing evergreen with dark green foliage. It has a nice dense, conical habit, perfect for it to become your potted living Christmas tree. It is very slow growing so can live in a pot forever, can take up to 10 years to grow to 1.5 metres tall and 80cm wide.
Pinus radiata are faster growing and can get up to 20m tall so be prepared to only have this guy in a pot for a few years and then it will have to go out in your yard. This tree has dense green needle like foliage and beautiful pine cones. Can handle the pot life for a number of years and can be trimmed.
While these two trees are currently the most popular, I find they are not the best choice for us here in Ipswich or other areas of high humidity. Picea glauca ‘Christmas Star’ is native to central Alaska and Canada. It is very hardy plant in the right conditions but it does not like the warmer, humid climates where it may suffer fungal attacks.
Pinus radiata is native to the West Coast of North America. It was introduced to Australia in 1857 and is now considered a major general purpose timber in Australia. Unfortunately in some areas of Australia it has become a major weed invading open dry environments both in native remnant vegetation and forests. While it is not a problem here in Ipswich it could become one.
So what do we use instead of these popular choices?
Gymnostoma australianum, The Daintree Pine should be the first choice as a Christmas tree. I have no idea why over the years these trees have not become the preferred choice for living Christmas trees. These beautifully elegant plants are native to the the World Heritage Forests of Far North Queensland. Due to their rarity in the wild they have obtained the Qld government’s official conservation status of ‘vulnerable’ species. Soon the only place we may see these pines is in our own backyard. The Daintree Pine is like a living Christmas tree with its naturally beautiful conical shape, that requires little to no pruning. it has attractive soft dense, deep green foliage of slender jointed needles. These guys can grow forever in a pot or you can plant them in your garden. Once established it tolerates cold, heat, humidity and dry. It prefers to be planted in well composted, well drained soil or in platnium potting mix. Once established it needs little maintenance to survive. They will naturally reach about 4 - 6m.
However, if you wanted something really different here are some of my top recommendations:
Magnolia ‘Little Gem’
My ultimate living Christmas tree would be the Magnolia ‘Little Gem’. This evergreen magnolia thrives in pots and can be brought indoors for short periods. Its lush, dark green foliage with bronze undersides creates a festive look. The branches are strong enough to hold baubles, and its enormous, cream-coloured flowers have a delicate perfume - making it a stunning choice.
Trachelospermum Jasminoides
These beautiful evergreen climbers look great on a tripod (perfect Christmas tree shape) and you can easily hang lights and decorations on the stakes of the tripod. They will last forever in a pot and you can enjoy the scent of your living Christmas tree in late spring, early summer.
Thuja ‘Smaragd’ Conifer
Is a classic choice for a living Christmas tree. With its naturally conical shape and vibrant green, fine-textured foliage, it’s the perfect addition to any Christmas setting. This conifer grows slowly and stays compact, making it perfect for pots and small spaces. Its dense, upright growth makes it ideal for hanging ornaments, lights, and decorations. It thrives in full sun to part shade and is incredibly low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil types and conditions, even our humidity.
Lygodium microphyllum
Lygodium microphyllum is a climbing fern. Native to Australia as well as tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. This delicate native fern features fine, lacy foliage that can be trained over a tripod (like I have here), forming a Christmas tree shape. Using the tripod as a structure you can hang fairy lights and small decorations, creating the perfect indoor Christmas tree. This fern thrives in warm, humid conditions and grows well in pots. If you have it in the garden it can climb through your trees very quickly especially in a wet humid summer like we are having now.
Syzygium 'Resilience'
Works as an ideal native Christmas tree. Its exceptional trimmability allows easy shaping into a classic Christmas tree form even from a young age. Thriving in our climate, it endures well indoors, making it a lasting festive centrepiece. It can grow in a pot for many years and if you are looking for a faster growing Christmas tree or even a Christmas tree to plant in the garden to add your own decorations over time, this is your plant.
Acmena smithii 'Allyns Magic'
This compact native is ideal for small spaces and works well in pots. Young plants make charming table centrepieces, while older ones look stunning on patios. Its bright red new growth contrasts beautifully with its dark green foliage. With trimming, it can take on a conical Christmas tree shape.
Casuarina glauca ‘Greenwave’.
This hardy evergreen native shrub forms a natural, ball-like shape with long, thin branches reminiscent of a conifer. It would require little trimming to turn it into the classic conical shape of a christmas tree. It can look fantastic in pots or gardens. Growing up to 2 metres, it loves full sun and makes a low-maintenance, festive statement.
Callitris rhomboidea
This uniquely Australian native can grow up to 12 metres in the wild but typically reaches about 6 metres in gardens. It’s an excellent feature tree, thriving in pots or the ground. Hardy and adaptable, it tolerates dry and cold conditions. With its soft, conifer-like foliage, it makes a striking Christmas tree alternative and doubles as a windbreak or loose screen in the garden.
This elegant native tree features masses of delicate pink flowers in spring, resembling fairy ballerina skirts, followed by blue edible fruits loved by wildlife (though not highly palatable for humans). Its foliage transitions through bronze, dusky green, and bright red as it matures. With a slender shape and sturdy branches, it’s perfect for hanging Christmas decorations. A low-maintenance tree, it grows up to 4 metres and withstands dry, hot, humid, and cold conditions.
This tree comes “pre-decorated” with its showy flowers at this time of year. Even after flowering, the bracts remain stunning, adding a natural festive flair. Its vibrant appearance and low-maintenance nature make it a perfect Christmas tree option.
Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus
This dainty native features soft, delicate foliage and tassel-like flowers that resemble fairy lights hanging from its stems. It naturally forms a loose Christmas tree shape, though light trimming can enhance its density. Growing to about 3 metres, it thrives in various conditions, from full shade to full sun, and tolerates most soil types. While it prefers regular watering, it can handle some neglect once established. This charming plant is a delightful addition to any festive display.
Taking Care of Living Christmas Trees
Living Christmas trees add a beautiful, sustainable touch to your home during christmas, but they need a little extra care to thrive.
Here’s how to keep your tree healthy during and after the holidays:
Watering Is Key
The most common reason living Christmas trees fail is under-watering. This often happens because we worry about wetting the floors or presents. To avoid this, invest in an extra-large saucer or a planter (a pot without drainage holes designed to retain water). Check the soil regularly, and keep it moist but not waterlogged.
Limit Indoor Time
Don’t keep your tree inside for too long—living trees are best suited to outdoor conditions. A few weeks indoors is fine, but any longer can stress the plant. Once the holiday season ends, it’s time to transition your tree back outside.
Reintroducing Your Tree to the Outdoors
When returning your tree outdoors, it’s important to do so gradually:
Start in the Shade: Place the tree in a shady spot for two weeks to allow it to acclimatise.
Fertilise: Apply Organic Link slow-release organic fertiliser and fortnightly liquid feeds with Plant Care to encourage recovery and growth.
Transition to Sunlight: After the initial two weeks, move the tree to a part-shaded spot for another fortnight.
Full Sun: Finally, move it to a sunny position where it can thrive year-round.
Watering: Water according to the weather, one big drink every few days is better than lots of little drinks.
This year, why not buy a Living Christmas tree. Just remember to choose a plant that will bring you and your family years of joy and let the kids do the decorating, while you sit back and enjoy an egg nog (or three)!