As the holidays are approaching, the question of how to decorate sustainably arises. Vilnius invites you to create a new tradition: choose natural Christmas trees grown in pots and plant them in the unique Christmas forest in Vilnius after the holidays.

A different approach to Christmas trees

According to Gintautas Runovičius, Head of the City Environment Department of Vilnius City Municipality, it is time to change the usual approach to Christmas trees: “Christmas trees really don’t want to be just a temporary decoration. Let’s change the consumer attitude to use and throw away. Let’s move on to use-preserve-enjoy again.”

More than a hundred Christmas trees are already growing in the Christmas forest established at Verkiai Manor farmstead. Each of them has its own story. “Families come to the planting events to see how much their tree has grown and to plant a new one. Such traditions create a connection with this place and nature,” says Jolanta Radžiūnienė, Director of Pavilniai Regional Park Directorate and Verkiai Regional Park Directorate.

Decorate the Christmas forest

This year, the municipality is inviting communities, school classes and kindergartens to contribute to the initiative by making Christmas decorations from natural materials and decorating the Christmas forest with them. The most active class, kindergarten group or community will receive Green Capital prizes.

“This is a great opportunity to step away from screens, try out your creativity and make something with your own hands. And, of course, visit the Christmas forest,” says J. Radžiūnienė.

Please send photos of the Christmas forest with your toys by 18 December to the e-mail address zalias@vilnius.lt.

How to choose a Christmas tree that it survived?

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that not all potted trees take root. It is important to choose the right tree at the point of sale. Valdemaras Steckis, a representative of the nursery “Vilniaus žaluma” (Vilnius Greenery), shares his advice on how to distinguish a high-quality plant.

Nurseries usually buy 2-3-year-old trees and plant them in pots or soil. It takes at least five years for a tree to reach the right size. Trees grown in pots are sent to retailers, while those grown in soil are transplanted into pots, but their roots are cut during transplanting. Therefore, such trees are more difficult to root, and it is better to choose smaller trees that have been grown in pots. It is best if they have been grown in our climate conditions, i.e. in local nurseries.

You can tell whether a tree has been grown in a pot or just transferred to one before sale by the size of the pot. At least 50-60% of what we see above ground should also be below ground. The smaller the tree, the greater the chance of it taking root. If the tree is about 1–1.2 m tall, its pot should be no smaller than 12–15 l. A two-metre tree would need at least a 60 l pot. If the pot is small, it is a sign that the tree will most likely have cut roots and will be difficult to take root.

It is recommended to choose local species of fir trees – common or silver fir. Other species of fir and spruce are more difficult to thrive.

How to take care of a fir tree?

Gradually acclimatise it to room temperature – keep it in a cooler room before bringing it into your home. Do not place it near a radiator, fireplace or heated floor.

The tree can stay in the room for about two weeks until it starts to grow. Then move it to a cooler room and take care of it until planting, watering it regularly. Do this regularly – the soil must be kept moist at all times. Spray the branches with water from time to time.

How to keep a Christmas tree until planting?

If the soil is not frozen, Christmas trees can be planted immediately after the holidays. It is important to avoid large temperature differences. First, move it to a cooler room, and then you can plant it outside.

In mid-March, the Municipality will invite residents to a joint Christmas tree planting campaign at Verkiai Manor. Those who are unable to attend will be able to plant trees themselves in designated areas for several weeks. For more information about the Christmas Forest, please visit vilnius.lt/kaledumiskas.