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November 2000 |
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Christmas Tree Care and Feeding for a Happy Holiday |
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Christmas Tree Care Jim Jarman |
Keep trees moist so they will remain attractive and fire resistant. Most cut trees were harvested several weeks before being offered for sale. The cut end was sealed at the time of harvest to keep the tree fresh during transport and storage before sale. Even if you harvested your tree at a local Christmas tree farm, it is wise to treat it just like one purchased from a tree lot. This seems like a good place to promote Local Christmas tree farms. The holiday season is supposed to be a family time. It may be hard to gather everyone together for this outing, but the trip to the Christmas tree farm should be a memory maker. Most farms are prepared to make the memories fond ones. Often trees purchased directly from farms are more economical. Plus cutting your own tree insures it will be just about as fresh (safe) as possible. If have to buy a pre cut tree, select a fresh tree and keep it fresh. Freshness should out weigh other considerations. Once the cut tree brought into the house, the warmth and low humidity will soon dry the tree past recovery and make it a real fire hazard. So, the very first thing to do is to cut across the trunk about 1/4 to 1/2-inch up from the harvest cut and then immediately place the tree in fresh water. Keep a close watch on the tree's water level. If it drops exposing the cut, it is necessary to start over with another cut to reopen the water conducting tissues. Christmas trees allowed to dry past recovery should be discarded immediately. Cut Christmas trees are thirsty! They drink between a quart and a gallon of water a day, so be sure to check the water levels at least twice a day. Select a tree stand that has a large water reservoir and keep it full. Carefully balance the trees in their stand to prevent them from tipping. Lighted trees should never be left unattended. And the big no, no, is never use lighted candles to decorate the tree. Also, keep trees away from open flames and other heat sources. That includes clueless smokers. Discard cut Christmas trees responsibly and as soon as possible after Christmas. If you are into long holiday season tree displays, seriously consider buying an early and a late natural tree or an artificial one. For more information on Christmas trees check into these sources; Missouri Christmas Tree Producers Association and How to Select a Christmas tree from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, How to Safely Dispose of Christmas Trees, Pub 184 from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Chris "Woody" Starbuck Associate Professor of Horticulture, UMC (573) 882-9630. Jim Jarman, Callaway County Extension Center, (573)642-0755.
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After my second day of over eating turkey the
table talk turned to Christmas trees. Every family member had his or her
own likes and dislike. Typically, this was divided into those who
"had" to have a live (really formerly alive) or artificial
tree. These desires occasionally split families. Since my wife is
allergic to pines and cedars, our tree preference is, and has been set,
for a long time. Fortunately, everyone seemed aware of the fire hazards
associated with "live" Christmas trees. Many public
institutions forbid the use of natural Christmas trees and some even
forbid lights on artificial trees. Christmas safety is, and should be, a
big issue.