A major tree quest
Get the perfect one,
This is the weekend of the great Christmas tree quest.
The pressure is on, now that the big day is less than two weeks away, to get the perfect live tree. You’ll be investing in not just a large decoration, but also a tradition that has meaning beyond monetary value.
I often see families out looking for their Christmas trees in much the same way as they would go about finding their perfect pet. And, in a way, a live Christmas tree is a pet.
Here are five things you should know before you go. (Prices are for average trees, two to 2.2 metres.) Know your needs Here is a short list of the most popular evergreens that you will find on retail lots and Christmas tree farms:
Scots pine: (Note — not a “Scotch” pine.) This was the biggest seller for many years, until the Fraser fir came along. It retains its needles well, displays ornaments and lights with lots of space between its branches and tends to take up lots of horizontal space — they are wider than fir trees.
Check out the trunk of your favourite specimen for straightness or you will curse it before you stand it upright in a tree stand. Price is lower than most fir trees, in the $20 to $30 range.
Fraser fir: The No. 1 bestseller in eastern Canada. Retains needles well, has a muted evergreen scent, is soft to the touch, features dark green needles with a silvery underside, very dense foliage/branching and the trunk is generally straight. Classic “spruce” type, evergreen shape. Price range $40 to $70.
Balsam fir: Native to central and Eastern Canada, the balsam has good needle retention, reasonably dense foliage and a great evergreen scent. It is lightweight and generally has a straight trunk. Price range is $30 to $50.
Spruce: Colorado spruce and white spruce are often available on Christmas tree lots. They smell great and are often the perfect shape, but needle retention is a problem. Unless you are bringing it indoors for five days or less, I recommend that you pass on spruce. Fresh A Christmas tree can be a fire hazard. So how do you minimize this risk? Buy a fresh tree and keep it hydrated.
Give it the squeeze test before you buy.
Squeeze a needle or needle cluster between your thumb and finger: if it snaps, pass on it. If it bends as you put pressure on it, you have a winner. Be sure to use a deep-dish stand that holds at least a couple of litres of water. Fill the reservoir up daily, especially the day that you put the tree up. Place a fire extinguisher near your tree, just in case. Cut the butt Fred Somerville, president of Somerville Nurseries/Kris Kringle Christ- mas trees in Alliston, Ont., and the largest grower of Christmas trees in the province, suggests: “Before you put your tree up, be sure to cut the butt end of it with a pruning saw to open up the capillaries of the tree and help it absorb water from the reservoir.” Get it straight Note my comments in No. 1. I can’t over-emphasize the need to buy a tree that is as straight as possible. I speak from experience and anyone who has tried putting up a tree with a wow or hook in it knows what I am talking about. If you happen to have a tippy tree, consider extending a string from a hook in the ceiling to the leader of the tree to secure it in an upright position. After care Somerville emphasizes that your tree needs water daily. And consider how you will dispose of your tree when done with it. I take my tree out of doors right after Christmas and place it in the garden, minus the ornaments. I hang suet balls on it and let the birds use it for protection against winter wind. It adds some “winter interest” to the garden and, come spring, I cut it up for green- waste pick up.
And, finally, Somerville reminds us: “Real trees are renewable, recyclable and 100 per cent biodegradable.”
All true. Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster and garden editor of Reno & Decor magazine. Get his free monthly newsletter at markcullen.com. Watch him on CTV Canada AM every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. Email him at groundskeeper@markcullen.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkCullen4 and Facebook.