Kelly McIntosh already has her Christmas tree. And she's not afraid of it drying out and shedding needles before Dec. 25.

She didn't get a fake tree, or even a well-hydrated cut tree. The McIntosh family has a live, potted Christmas tree that they plan to plant at their home outside Buhl after the holidays.

Live Christmas trees, which have been popular for years across the U.S., are springing up in southern Idaho, said Veronica Leonard ofHollyberry Nursery.

Leonard's Hansen nursery started offering the potted trees two years ago after customers requested them. The nursery is getting more requests this year than it did in previous years, she said. Hollyberry Nursery's trees are about 5 feet tall, cost $60 and require no more special attention than a cut tree. They're also good for the environment:The planted trees replenish oxygen in the atmosphere. As the trees mature, they can serve as a windbreak for homes, helping insulate and protect them from the elements.

"As you know in Idaho, we have very high winds,"Leonard said.

Jamee Muchow, manager at Windsor's Greenhouses and Nursery in Kimberly, said potted trees are a great investment for families.

"Things keep going up in price and they're wanting to watch their pennies,"Muchow said. At Windsor's, customers can get a living Christmas tree for as little as $79 that doubles as landscape filler. The trees can even stay in their pots and serve as Christmas trees for future years - until they grow too big to fit in the house, that is.

"You're not going to consume something and just throw it away," Leonard said. "You are investing in something that you keep forever."

With the investment comes responsibility. Vicki Serr of Vicki's Country Gardens in Paul said that after Christmas, you can't just toss the tree outside and forget about it.

"You have to take care of them. You have to water them through winter,"she said. Her store offers tabletop Fat Albert spruces for $39.99.

That burden didn't scare off McIntosh. Her former property in California is filled with Christmas trees from past years, helping evoke memories of happy Christmases with her family. Now that she's in Buhl, she already has a spot in mind for this year's Christmas tree-in-a-pot.

"We always enjoyed it," she said. "I'm surprised that more people don't do it."

Melissa Davlin may be reached at 208-735-3234 or at melissa.davlin@lee.net.

Your tree in a pot Plan ahead. Make sure the tree will fit into your landscape.Most varieties used as Christmas trees grow to between 40 and 60 feet. Some can grow even larger, so find out all you can about the species you plan to buy. Check the tree for bugs before you bring it in the house. A good spray with a hose should take care of any lingering mites or spiders, said Veronica Leonard of Hollyberry Nursery. Get moving help. The root system and soil make living trees heavier than cut trees. Place the tree away from heating vents and direct light. Remember to keep it well-watered. Place a tray or skirt under the pot to catch excess water. After Christmas, move the tree outside immediately. To acclimate the tree to severe cold, consider putting it in a garage, shed or enclosed patio for a few days before exposing it to the harsh elements. The tree shouldn't be inside for more than a week, said Jamee Muchow of Windsor's Greenhouses and Nursery. You can plant your tree as soon as the ground thaws next spring. A sampling of locally available live Christmas trees: Rocky Mountain juniper: Popular for its drought tolerance. Can grow up to 30 feet tall. Fat Albert spruce: True to its name, this tree is short and rotund.Rarely grows more than 30 feet tall and is silvery blue. Colorado spruce: Can grow up to 75 feet tall and comes in blue green and gray green. Linden pine: This Idaho native is drought-tolerant, enjoys a wide variety of soils and can grow up to 40 feet tall. Ornithologists, take note:Birds especially enjoy this tree.