I don't know what it is that has gotten people in the holiday spirit extra early this year but I noticed an over-abundance of people that either put up their tree before Thanksgiving or put it up the weekend after...maybe I am just a Grinch but I think that is just a bit early. I can deal with stores putting up decorations after Halloween, but for some reason I just can't get into the idea of residential holiday decorating till after Thanksgiving leftovers are all gone.
Maybe I am not so far off base.. according to the National Christmas Tree Association (haha! it is real organization to support local tree farmers and encourage people to buy and enjoy real trees) the expected fresh life expectancy of a cut tree is only three to four weeks...making now the perfect day to go get one! So what's the difference in the different trees?
 |
| The Douglas Fir (actually not a part of the fir family!) one of the most common Christmas trees, that is a native of the pacific northwest, it is typically 7-10 years old when it is large enough to be harvested for your home. They are known for their spreading branches and the needles that are dark green to bluish green in color and radiate out in all directions off the branch making it very full- plus the needles are soft to the touch! |
 |
| The Eastern White Pine were historically considered the largest pine in the United States and have been the staple tree used to make ships' masts. It is also the state tree of Maine and Michigan- so this big guy has a big history to bring with it as a Christmas tree! It has long soft, flexible needles that are usually bluish green to silver green in color. while prized as a valuable lumber tree it does also make a great Christmas tree as they often reach over six feet in 6-8 years!! |
 |
| The Fraser Fir also known as Southern Balsm, is the ultimate Christmas Tree as it usually require little pruning since they grow naturally in a pyramid shape. The needles are dark green with a silvery underside that gets shown off by the way the branches turn slightly upward as they grow.Its quintessential holiday scent as well excellent needle retention have made this tree a top contender for best Christmas tree. I have to admit I am a bit biased as almost all Fraser Firs are grown in North Carolina and Virginia so childhood nostalgia gives this one a few extra points for me! |
 |
| The Leyland Cypress, frankly this is a very interesting tree, it is a "sterile" tree... meaning it is not a naturally occurring tree, it is only grown by rooted cuttings!It was created by C.J. Leyland in 1888 and became all the rage for Christmas trees in California in the 60's. It has a dark green to grey coloring and tends to be "heavy and stout". Because this tree is not naturally occurred you will typically only find it at cut-your-own tree lots |
 |
| The Noble Fir got its common name because of its enormous cones and tall heights that they reach in maturity. Like the Fraser Fir, the silvery underside of the bluish green needles shows off due to the growth pattern of the branches. Its stiff branches and long needle retention have made this a wildly popular Christmas Tree. I think the most intriguing fact about this tree is that they were used to build the R.A.F. Mosquito planes in World War II. |
 |
| Aghh... the Virgina Pine, the staple Christmas tree of the Southern United States! So popular to the point that it has been genetically altered to enhance its Christmas tree characteristics! It's branches are stout and woody with needles that are typically 2-3 inches long and it responds really well to pruning! These trees are found everywhere, from retail lots to cut your own lots- but buyer beware if you cut your own- they are the single most popular tree for woodpeckers- make sure you don't have any passengers! |
So if you are headed out to pick one of your own that is pre-cut test the freshness by pulling on it to see how many needles fall off! And treat it just like buying fresh cut flowers, trim the stem...errr trunk of the tree- a fresh cut will help it absorb water and keep it alive. Speaking of water...get it in water as soon as you can! and make sure it has plenty f water otherwise you will end up with a mess of falling needles come Christmas morning. Your tree will typically need a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter (ie: 8 inch diameter needs 8 quarts of water) so get a stand that holds plenty of water and keep your pets out of it!
No comments:
Post a Comment