Every family has their own reasons for choosing the type of Christmas tree that graces their home each December, but for me, nothing equals the smell of a live tree. Once a live tree is in the home, the unmistakable smell of pine, spruce or fir envelopes the room and our olfactory senses trigger fond memories of family Christmases from years ago.
Christmas tree growers would tell you that there are other reasons to choose a live Christmas tree over an artificial one, including the fact that live trees are more environmentally friendly. Christmas trees are planted specifically for harvest and subsequent replanting and an acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen to support 18 people each day, according to Ohio State University Extension research. Each Christmas tree will remove up to one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its lifetime. And live Christmas trees can be recycled through chipping or composting.
Choosing a live tree
You can be assured of getting a fresh tree if you cut your own tree from a local Christmas tree farm. While this is a cherished family tradition for many, the convenience of purchasing a pre-cut tree is more desirable for others.
To check a pre-cut tree for freshness, look for flexible needles that remain firmly attached when you tug on them. All needled evergreens shed their oldest needles each year, so there is no need for concern when brown needles fall from the interior of the tree when you knock the base of the tree on the ground. Just be sure that these brown needles are thoroughly shaken off the tree before taking it indoors. If the outermost green needles pull out easily, or if they appear a dull, lifeless green, the tree may be past its prime.
Maintaining freshness and aroma
Plan to place your live tree in a stand with a basin that holds at least a gallon of water. A cut tree will absorb a surprising amount of water, particularly during the first week it is placed indoors, so replenish water daily. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk of the tree to fit into a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed. If the tree is to be stored for more than a couple of days before it is set up indoors, its trunk should be placed in water and it should be stored in a cool, shaded, and protected area such as an unheated garage.
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If the tree has been cut within 12 hours of set up indoors, it will not be necessary to recut the trunk. If it has been longer than 12 hours since harvest, the trunk should be re-cut to improve water uptake. Cut a ¼-inch-thick slice from the base of the trunk and be sure to make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle or into a v-shape, as this will make it difficult to hold the tree in the stand and reduce the amount of water the tree will uptake.
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Just in case the ground freezes before you have a chance to plant your living tree outdoors in January, its best to dig the planting hole now where you wish to plant the tree. Be sure to dig the planting hole two or three times wider than the container or root ball of the tree you plan to purchase. The hole should be dug to the same depth as the as the container or root ball. Soil dug from the hole can be stored in the garage in a wheelbarrow or in large containers to avoid freezing.
Mike Hogan is Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources and associate professor with Ohio State University Extension. [email protected]
Source: dispatch.com