Courtesy National Christmas Tree Association
Virginia Pine Ready for Christmas
©
National
Christmas Tree Association
Christmas Trees: Buying, Growing, Selling
Dateline: 12/07/97
I have just finished putting up the family
eight-foot Douglas Fir Christmas tree. Although one of my least favorite
thing to do - EVER - is putting up a Christmas tree, it becomes the family's
most exciting joint project each Christmas . It's worth it when I can
sit back by the fire and watch the family adorn a
"real" tree.
* Cut one-quarter inch off the base of trunk. This fresh cut will create a free flow of water into the tree to preserve freshness. * Water, water, water; and don't let the water ever go below the fresh cut base. This will cause the base to seal. * Display your tree in a cool place but out of a draft. Fireplaces can dry your tree prematurely. * Water, water, water. Trees are very thirsty and will use up to a gallon of water each day. Check the stand each day for water
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People are beginning to use living plants as their tree of choice. The roots are kept in a "ball" of earth. The ball can be wrapped in burlap or set into a container or pot. * Keep the ball moist throughout and wrap in plastic or place in a tub. *Do not remove burlap; don't remove any soil while in the house. *Limit inside stay to 7 to 10 days. *Slowly remove to the outside using garage to shed to planting site. Do not plant in frozen soil. |
I used to make Christmas money selling Eastern Redcedar trees in south Georgia, USA. My dad and I planted them and people seemed to tolerate cedar (has a natural cone shape) and the fact that I would deliver. I haven't seen a Redcedar Christmas tree in years.
This year over 35 million American families will bring a natural Christmas tree into their homes to honor the tradition of Christmas. The smell alone brings back memories and is the making of memories for my kids to conjure up in future Christmases.
BUYING THE TREE
Freshness is most important when selecting your tree. The needles should be resilient. Take hold of a branch an pull you hand toward yourself allowing the branch to slip through your fingers. Most, if not all, of the needles should stay on the tree.
Lifting and dropping the tree on a hard surface should not result in a shower of green needles. Brown needles that have shed the previous year are ok to shed. The tree should have a fragrance and rich green color. Branches should be pliable and bend without much resistance.
DO YOU ADD ANYTHING TO THE WATER?
According to the National Christmas Tree Association and Dr. Gary Chastagner, Washington State University, "your best bet is just plain tap water. It doesn't have to be distilled water or mineral water or anything like that. So the next time someone tells you to add ketchup or something more bizarre to your tree stand, don't believe it."
GROWING AND SELLING THE TREE
The National Christmas Tree Association's web site is probably the best place to go if you would like to get into the business. They help you market you trees, help pick the tree best suited for your area, give advice on the care of your trees, and the list goes on.
They provide an excellent site devoted to listing the most popular Christmas trees. Each species is described and information on their cultivating needs are included. If you are curious how Christmas tree farming takes place - NCTA is the place to go.
| Today, 98% of all Christmas trees are grown on plantations. |
For Further Reading: See Christmas Trees: Growing & Selling Trees, Wreaths & Greens at Book Recommendations.
Have any other comments about Christmas Trees? Please let me know...
