Has your living Christmas tree grown cramped in its pot

Sunset, Dec, 1986

Photo: Create a distinct top shoot by staking a side branch upright. After about a year, it should stay up by itself

Photo: Rootbound tree, removed from can after holidays, gets 2 to 3 inches sliced off bottom and sides of rootball to encourage new root growth

Photo: In spring, root-pruned tree develops lush tip growth. Small needles are last year's growth

Photo: After root pruning, place tree back in a container the same size as the old one

Photo: Gently pack fresh potting soil around edges of the rootball, water well, and tamp again to remove air pockets