Christmas Tree Varieties

    Many folks will be out this weekend searching for that perfect Christmas tree.  The key to selection of a good cut Christmas tree is to make sure the tree is fresh and well shaped.  Testing for a fresh tree is fairly simple.  Simply run a branch through your hand or give the tree a gentle shake.  A small amount of needles may fall, but larger quantities may indicate that the tree was cut earlier in the fall.

    Most commercial trees are cut around Thanksgiving and are perfectly fresh.  It should be noted that cut Christmas trees are a cultivated crop, so it is not environmentally bad to buy a cut tree, as it will be replaced with a seedling.  The plot of land from which the tree was harvested was more likely a non forested field prior to the planting of Christmas trees.  Therefore you are not harming the environment and you are stimulating the economy.  Cut Christmas trees are not harvested from the wild.

    Popular trees include White Pine, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, and Blue Spruce.

   A Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) which has been sheared,  has a near perfect pyramidal form.  The branches are stiff, yet the foliage is relatively soft as compared to the spruces.  A pleasant scent and good needle retention.  The needles sport a lush green upper surface with a silvery reverse of the lower surface.

    A Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is also a very popular choice for your Christmas tree.  It's silvery blue foliage and symmetrical form are its most striking features. Needle retention is fair.

    A Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Dark green foliage and stiff branches.  Excellent for decorating with heavy ornaments.  Good needle retention.

    A White Pine (Pinus strobus)   The needles are long and soft, making decorating a challenge.  The White Pine does not give off a powerful scent, which is great for allergy sufferers.  Strong and straight trunk.

    We always check for a good shape of a tree, but don't overlook a couple of other considerations.  Try to envision how will the tree look after you have removed the lower boughs in order to fit the tree in the stand.  Make sure the "butt" of the tree trunk will fit in your stand.  Lastly, stand the tree up with the base perpendicular to the ground and make sure the tree is straight.  It is rare to find a tree with "curvature of the spine" but it happens.  You may wind up with a crooked tree.

    Once you have selected your tree, take it home and remove the correct amount of lower boughs.  Then use a tree saw to cut the lower 1/2 to 1" off of the base and immediately place the tree trunk in a bucket of warm water.  This will allow the tree to begin drinking water again.  When a tree is cut, the tar from the base seals the cut in an act of self preservation.  If you fail to remove this seal, your tree will not consume water and will dehydrate quickly.  If you do not place the tree in water immediately after cutting the base, the tree will draw air rather than water creating an "air lock".  This air lock will yield the same results as a sealed trunk.

    Place  your tree in an area away from main heat sources such as register vents or wood stoves.  Keep the lights burning a minimum amount of time prevent dehydration.  Never leave lights burning on an unattended tree as this is a terrible fire hazard.  Never leave the lights on when you go to bed.  Make sure you keep your tree watered at all times to prevent the dreaded air lock.  Lastly, if your tree becomes very dry, discontinue use of lights.  If conditions are bad enough, you may have to remove the tree from the home as it would be a fire hazard.

    Christmas tree bags are readily available to encapsulate your tree prior to removing it from the house.  This is a great idea, as a broad trail of brown needles is a rough task for a vacuum cleaner.  Have a wonderful and safe Holiday season.

                                                                             Andy Lynn