This is the week we choose our Christmas tree! We used to visit a tree farm and cut it down ourselves, but it proved to be a little more than we could handle, especially with a dull saw blade. This is my husband attempting to cut down the smallest tree we could find. It took three tries to trim it to fit in our house.
I would like to think that these experiences have taught us a few things about choosing Christmas trees, but every year I like to take a little refresher course. Today I'll share some tips I've found on how to find just the right tree, thanks to a few different sources and the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario website.
 |
| image source |
Choosing your species
Blue Spruce
- Needles are generally dull bluish-gray to silvery blue.
- Excellent natural shape, requires little shearing and attractive blue foliage.
- Needle retention is among the best for the spruces.
White Spruce
- Strong slender twigs hold ornaments well.
- Dense foliage and good natural shape make it a very beautiful Christmas tree.
- Spruce needs lots of water and must be watered regularly to prevent it from losing its needles.
- Needle retention is better than some of other spruce species.
White Pine
- Branches from the White Pine are often used in garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces due to their long, feathery, soft needles.
- Branches can be a bit too flexible to support heavier decorations.
- Its lush fullness also makes it difficult to squeeze in ornaments.
- Needles last a long time when properly watered.
Scots Pine
- Thick, hardy tree that holds its needles well over the holidays, even if it’ss permitted to dry out.
- You may want to wear gloves when decorating a Scotch Pine, since its needles can be very sharp.
- There may be little space between branches for ornaments.
Fraser Fir
- The combination of shape, needle retention, dark blue-green color and pleasant scent has led to Fraser fir being a most popular Christmas tree species.
- Generally a narrow tree making it ideal where space is at a premium.
- Often has a wonderful perfume.
Balsam Fir
- Trees hold their needles well and are a good choice if the decorated tree is to be left standing for a long period of time.
- It is a beautiful dark-green color with airy, flexible branches that may not be able to hold heavy ornaments.
- It has an attractive shape and gives off a pleasant fragrance for your home.
How To Select A Christmas
Tree
A few simple procedures
can make the selection of a fresh, real Christmas tree easier:
1. Determine where in your
home you will display your tree. With this in mind, you will be able to tell
how tall a tree you will need and whether all four sides must be suitable for
display.
2. Freshness is an
important key when selecting your tree. The needles should be resilient. Take
hold of a branch about six inches from the tip, between thumb and forefinger.
Pull your hand toward you allowing the branch to slip through your fingers.
Needles should adhere to the branch and not fall off in your hand.
3. Bend a needle between
your forefinger and thumb. The needle should form a "U" without
breaking unless the tree is frozen.
4. Lift the tree a couple
of inches off the ground, then bring it down abruptly on the stump end. Older
outside needles should not fall in substantial numbers. (Inside needles shed
naturally every year).
5. The tree should have a
fragrance and a good green colour.
6. A fresh tree will
retain its moisture content and thereby keep its fragrance and needles if kept
in a stand that has good water-holding capacity.
Some people keep the
memory of their Christmas alive by buying trees that come with their roots
wrapped in a ball of soil and burlap. After the festive season is over, live
trees can be planted outside where they will remain beautiful for years to
come. There are some drawbacks to choosing a live tree however. They cost much
more and are difficult to handle because the ball of soil is very heavy,
weighing as much as 68 kilograms. Most importantly, live Christmas trees must
receive special care over the holiday season or they will die.
How To Care For Your
Christmas Tree
Remember, a Christmas tree
is a living thing, look after it as carefully as you would a cut flower. Once
you select a Christmas tree, follow these suggestions to keep it fresh and
safe:
1. If you buy your tree
several days before you plan to set it up, store the tree outdoors or on a cool
porch or patio until you are ready to decorate. An area that provides
protection from the wind and sun will help the tree retain its moisture.
2. If you plan to store
the tree for several days, make a straight cut across the butt end of the tree
about one inch from the end. This opens the tree stem so it can take up water.
Store the tree upright and place the butt end in a container of water.
3. When you bring the tree
into the house for decorating, make another fresh cut across the trunk about an
inch from the original cut. Use a tree stand that holds plenty of water.
4. Trees are thirsty. They
may drink up to four litres of water per day, so be sure to check daily and
supply fresh water as needed. A stand which holds at least four litres of water
is recommended. If you allow the water level to drop below the bottom of the
tree, a seal will form just as it does on a cut flower, and a new cut will be
necessary.
5. Place your tree away
from fireplaces, radiators, television sets and other sources of heat. Turn off
the tree lights when you leave and before you retire at night.
6. Avoid the use of
combustible decorations. Check all electric lights and connections. Do not use
lights with worn or frayed cords and N-E-V-E-R use lighted candles on a
Christmas tree.
Following these care and
precaution measures should ensure an attractive tree that stays fresh indoors
for two to three weeks.
Visit the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario website for more information and children's activities.
No comments:
Post a Comment