Share this photo on Twitter Share this photo on Facebook

ST: The Somewhat Different Christmas Tree

Posted by
MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 22 December 2009 in Lifestyle & Culture.

Acacia dealbata, our biggest pot plant. Already seen here.

Well, okay, here's the story. When our Acacia experienced a frosty night in January, it was severely hit and lost all its leaves and branches. It was frozen back to its stem, and a few days later it looked like a walking-stick. It barely survived.
We really love this tree and didn't want to let this happen again. During the year, it recovered and grew even bigger than it was before this fateful frost night.
A week ago it got cold. Really cold. The Acacia was already preparing its flowers for the next year. Should we watch it freeze back again? Exactly.
So we moved it from its balcony place into our living-room. Here it's a bit darker than outside, but no fear of frosty temperatures. It's now in full bloom, the scent is really wonderful, and now we regard it as our very special Christmas tree. (I hope we will be able to move it back on the balcony, though!)

Michael from Shell Village, United Kingdom

I like having trees indoors, but this one will need lots of pruning. How about a few parrots and a monkey to make it really exotic :0

22 Dec 2009 6:43am

@Michael: I'm glad I could donate some of my palms a few months ago - otherwise this wouldn't be a tree but a little forest! :-D

Linerberry from Christchurch, New Zealand

What a superb story...love it!!!
Fantastic silliness....Happy ST!!!! lol hahahahaha!!!!

22 Dec 2009 7:12am

@Linerberry: I'm a tree-hugger. :-)

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

WOW! ....This is excellent! If it fares well inside, you should keep there! It makes such a difference to an interior to have a tree inside the room! I am FOR rooms like jungles!

22 Dec 2009 8:18am

@Japanalia: Me too, but this place is too dark in the long run. It will be much happier on the balcony, when it's warm again. :)

Peter from Amsterdam, Netherlands

Better save a live tree than a cut one.

Wishing you and your loved ones all the joys of the season.

22 Dec 2009 9:07am

@Peter: Thanks very much, Peter! Best wishes to you and yours, too!!!

MrsAmber from West Wickham, United Kingdom

It is rather large for a permanent indoor plant..but I'm glad it's there for this harsh weather we are experiencing. The flowers are lovely so it's for the best! Good picture...nice house/flat!

22 Dec 2009 10:02am

@MrsAmber: We've planned a little pruning - after it will have finished blooming. Up to now the fragrance is just too good! :-)

Marleen from Netherlands

Ahhh- you surely saved this beautiful tree:-) The Acacia smells awesome- I know.
Great action and ST shot!

22 Dec 2009 10:32am

@Marleen: Many thanks, Marleen! I think these flowers are sort of a 'Thank you' from our tree. :-)

Manel from Girona, Spain

Interesting history , thanks a lot for it. My ST contribution here

22 Dec 2009 10:37am

@Manel: This tree will survive winter, that's the main thing! :-)

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

Well it makes a nice Christmas tree and you could put a few decorations or little lamps to give it more a Christmas look.

22 Dec 2009 10:39am

@akarui: Will buy some, thanks for the idea!

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

The genus for sure, this very species (Acacia dealbata) I think it has been planted in Portugal where it constitutes an invasive species. It destroys native species and it is very difficult to get rid of. After a fire it's the first to recover (either from the roots or from fire resistant seeds). Nevertheless, in flowering season adds lots of yellow colour to our landscape.

22 Dec 2009 11:10am

@António Pires: Now don't pick on me with your warm Portuguese weather! :-D

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

that is funny tree. I would not like to have it in my place :)) and especially not on this place :))

22 Dec 2009 3:37pm

@MARIANA: I know, it wants to be free, but I'm afraid it will have to wait for another couple of weeks...

Self-Indulgence from Chicagoland, United States

That one is ready to go outside!

22 Dec 2009 4:40pm

@Self-Indulgence: As soon as temps will rise, promised! This is just an emergency solution! :-)

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

A wattle! Is not the traditional Christmas tree! Funny.

22 Dec 2009 5:32pm

@Ana Lúcia: I have some other unusual trees, but this time it's my Acacia's turn! :-)

B.Held from Santa Fe, United States

awesome idea ;-)

22 Dec 2009 7:13pm

@B.Held: Just a matter of compassion. We've had two choices: early bloom or a frosty death.

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

So it looks like the dining room furniture was moved outside to the balcony to make room for the tree. :-) Might need a bigger pot soon.

22 Dec 2009 8:23pm

@Steven: Ha, ha, bingo two times! :-D

Ted from South Wales, United Kingdom

Nice one MS!
I too lost an Acacia dealbata in winter despite it supposedly being hardy...but you appear to have given it pride of place in a five star hotel...does it have a name yet?
The best Christmas story since It's a Wonderful Life!

22 Dec 2009 9:28pm

@Ted: I should have shown another corner of our living room: a big opuntia, three cycads, two Araucarias, a Wolly, and a couple of palms...
You want some...? ;-D

Philip from Cowbridge, United Kingdom

Very unique and it does not need lights! Great story - thanks for sharing.

Beats paying £35 for one which is what we did.

22 Dec 2009 10:52pm

@Philip: Two years ago I was able to carry this tree over my shoulder. Now it's a bit more difficult! :-)

Christine Walsh from Astoria, United States

Good choice for a Christmas tree. I have something similar this year as I no longer will purchase trees just for the holiday. You must have tall ceilings!

23 Dec 2009 3:01am

@Christine Walsh: A building from the 1930s; ca. 3.50m. The tree fits just so - we'll do a careful pruning after its bloom will be over.
Buying a Christmas tree is a costly invest this year. But I have enough conifers in stock. :-)

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

lol -- faaabulous!!! ;)

29 Dec 2009 5:30pm

@dj.tigersprout: It's still inside!

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Wow, you can have pot plants in Germany? That's illegal over here.

3 Jan 2010 8:37pm

@Twelvebit: *lol* We're close to Holland. :-)

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

what a great story to go with this image! hope it all works out in the spring time! :)

6 Jan 2010 5:06pm

@Magda: We'll do a little pruning and it will get a bigger pot, so I hope that everything will be fine.