Potted Tree Care

Potting the Tree

• Select a growing container twice the size of the root ball of the tree you wish to pot. The pot should tall and wide enough to provide balance for the tree. Clay pots may weigh more than plastic, but are less likely to tip over during windstorms. Pot the tree, centered in the container, using a good-quality compost and Perlite-based potting soil. This will keep the soil from caking around the tree base and roots.

General Care

• Water the tree as necessary to keep the soil damp to 1 inch deep. Place your finger in the soil and if the soil is dry less than a knuckle deep, it is time to water. Fertilize the tree with a slow-release general fertilizer, mixed according to package instructions, every three to six months.

Winter Care and Beyond

• Bring the tree indoors or into a garage during the winter months to protect it from freezing weather. If this is not possible, wrap the truck of the tree with an insulated tree blanket, available from garden centers. Repot the tree into a larger container every two years. This will allow for optimum growth of the tree.

Other Tips

• When buying a potted tree, understand what the mature size of the tree will be so that you do not end up with tree that's too big for your balcony or patio. If you want to limit the growth of the tree, cut the roots back by one-third and repot in the same container using fresh soil mixture.