A representative organization of timber owners and forest industry is opposing tougher laws on timber theft and wood buyer record keeping. The Alabama Forestry Association claims that record keeping will be too expensive for the wood buyer, that the Alabama Forestry Commission has no authority to tinker with the legislative process and that the liability imposed on wood buyers would be unacceptable.

I'm sorry but I have been for tough timber theft legislation all my forestry career and this just does not pass my smell test. AFA concerns seem to support the old ideas of industry protection at the expense of timber growers. Remember, this is not just an Alabama issue and can potentially be the attitude of your state forestry association.

More on the Alabama timber theft issue:

• Full Discussion on Proposed Alabama Timber Laws
• Alabama Forestry Association Appeal to Kill the Bill

Don McClain is a farm equipment dealer and expert in harvesting pine straw. He lives in west Georgia and has been in farm equipment sales for over 30 years, mostly in hay harvesting equipment. Don owns Agriquip, Inc., a company set up to import and distribute quality baling tools. Don McClain is a big time player in the pine straw baling business and agreed to do this interview.

• Pine Needle Harvesting FAQ

Norway spruce can grow 80 to 100 feet tall and spread 25 to 40 feet in North America, though some cultivars are shrub like. It is the official Christmas tree displayed each Christmas at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - The Unofficial National Holiday Tree

Small-diameter branches sweep horizontally from the straight trunk which can grow to four feet thick. Branchlets droop from the branches toward the ground in a graceful, weeping fashion forming a delicate pyramid and makes a great Christmas tree.

Noble fir or Abies procera is commonly called red fir or white fir. This true fir is impressive and limited to the Cascade Range and Coast Ranges of the Pacific Northwest.

• Noble fir attains the largest dimensions of any of the true fir species.
• Noble fir is considered an excellent Christmas tree because of its beauty, stiff branches and long keepability.
• Noble fir represents between 25% and 30% of the fresh Christmas tree market in the Pacific Northwest and is a major source of greenery.

More on Noble Fir

Noble Fir Plantation Photo - Getty/Image Source Pink

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - December 2, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. - On NBC Television

While not officially a National Christmas Tree, New York City's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the biggest, brightest, most famous Christmas tree on our planet. It's lighting is an annual television event. The tree is nearly always a Norway Spruce and grown by enthusiasts hoping for the honor of having their tree chosen to be displayed at Rockefeller Center. The event takes place just after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

There is - or are - several official national trees. I am still not certain as to which is the most official, but there are at least four trees that can make that claim: National Christmas Trees - All the Confusion

A tree is probably the most common, naturally growing or cultivated, living organism you will ever encounter on a daily basis. Most people I know have a real desire to learn more about a tree including looking at a tree in hopes to identify that tree. With this in mind, I have put together a list of things to think about and tools that will help you identify a tree.

Treehugger - Getty Image

You might want to consider Norfolk Island pine as your next living Christmas tree and turn it into a house plant after the Holiday season. I love Norfolk Island Pine or Araucaria heterophylla as they make a great house plant and turned into a little Christmas tree. There are a few tricks to growing it for maximum success so read my Norfolk Island Pine management feature.

Here are several quotes from the experts:

Extension Nursery Specialist Dr. Leonard Perry says: "If you want to invest in a houseplant with a future, buy a Norfolk Island pine. It requires minimal care, and because it grows slowly will remain small and attractive for many years indoors."

Horticulturist Rosie Lerner says: "The Norfolk Island pine has grown in popularity as a live indoor Christmas tree. Its lush green twigs of soft needles provide a lovely backdrop for festive holiday ornaments."

Norfolk Island Pine - Getty Image

It is reported that the Osage Indians made their hunting bows from this beautiful and hard wood, and it is also used to make furniture. From April to June, Osage-Orange puts out its inconspicuous green flowers but these are followed by the very conspicuous fruits.

The fruits are four to five-inch-diameter, rough-textured, heavy green balls which ripen to yellow-green and fall in October and November. These fruits are inedible, the juice acid and milky, but squirrels relish the small seeds buried inside the pulp. When the fruits drop, they can be very messy and, for this reason, male, fruitless trees should be selected if you plant this tree.

Virginia Tech's department of dendrology has more information on Osage-orange.
Maclura pomifera Fact Sheet

How much do you really know about Christmas trees and their grand North American tradition? Take this Christmas tree quiz and find out. The quiz is not designed to be easy but don't let that put you off. Pay attention to the correct answers and you will be much more aware of the Christmas tree tradition plus you will learn a lot about the symbol's history and the industry that grows the tree.

Another interesting Christmas tree identification quiz can be found at Merry-Christmas.com where it is Christmas all year round. You will get into the holiday spirit as you explore all aspects of celebrating Christmas in the United States.

Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Farm - North Carolina - Photo by Steve Nix

The weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when most Christmas tree buying occurs but you should really consider shopping for and buy a Christmas tree a bit earlier. Early shopping will pay off with less competition for higher quality Christmas tree selections and ultimately result in a fresher holiday tree through the season.

You should consider mid-November a time to plan and follow through on your Christmas tree purchase. Many Christmas trees are already cut by mid-November but are not purchased until after Thanksgiving. You are just as well off to buy the tree early and prepare it for optimum freshness over the rest of the season. You should not consider yourself getting a fresher tree by purchasing later.

Potted Christmas Tree - Getty Images