Ten Things To Know: Getting Fresh - A Christmas Tree Primer
BY KATE REYNOLDSPHOTO BY RIMAS ZAILSKAS
There’s a certain divine madness in it.Throughout the year, we carefully coordinate our décor down to the smallest accessory. But come December, we throw it all to the four winds and abandon ourselves to a childlike fascination with little twinkling lights and bright, shiny objects.
A humble woodland tree, gilded like a debutante, becomes the centerpiece of our home. What the heck, it’s Christmas!
Cut or Balled?
The first question is whether you’d prefer to have a tree that is strictly ornamental — intended as a seasonal decoration only — or one that will become a part of your landscape to be enjoyed for years to come. Each has its advantages.
A cut tree will last quite awhile in your living room or entry foyer — easily a month for a freshly-harvested tree. Pre-cut trees, such as those found in seasonal lots, have been cut at least a week prior and transported (sometimes from as far away as Canada). Consequently, they generally have a shorter viability than those from cut-your-own local farms.
A balled and burlaped (B&B) tree, or one that has been container grown, does not have the indoor endurance of a cut tree — it should be displayed for no more than 10 days. The payoff, however, is that you will be able to relive your holiday memories indefinitely once you’ve transplanted it to your yard.
Get Fresh
North Carolina ranks in the top three states nationwide for Christmas tree production, so it makes sense to take advantage of the offerings of local growers.
Our mountains provide ideal conditions for Fraser firs, a lovely, aromatic variety; over 50 million of them are growing here, according to the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association.
While many of these beauties find their way to seasonal lots, a trip to a tree farm provides practical benefits, along with a festive holiday outdoor experience.
“You really can’t beat a freshly cut tree for beauty, scent and longevity,” says Chad Newton, of Fraser Farm in Brevard.
If you choose a live tree, a Serbian spruce may be a better choice than a Fraser; while not as fragrant and soft, it is generally a more successful transplant. Scotch, white and red pines, Blue, Norway and White spruce also produce good transplant results. Buying from a local grower assures you of an acclimatized tree that is adapted to our regional soil and weather conditions, giving it a much better chance for survival.
You should order your live tree several weeks in advance to allow time for digging and preparation.
Set the Stage
Before you step out the door to select your tree, determine where it will reside. Choose an area out of direct sunlight and as far as possible from heat sources. Positioning your tree close to a fireplace may be aesthetically and sentimentally pleasing, but poses a fire hazard and will contribute to drying and needle loss.
Give yourself sufficient room to maneuver around the tree for decorating and maintenance. If your tree is large, you may want to anchor it to a wall using fishing line and small eyehooks for stability.
Measure, Measure, Measure
It’s easy to think of your tree in strictly vertical terms, but Christmas trees are three dimensional and they are going to take up floor space as well, so take the girth into account.
“People generally think they want a 7- to 8-foot tree, until they actually see one,” notes Chad.
Measure your ceiling height and add on the height of your tree topper plus at least 6 inches of clearance, (how are you going to get that topper onto the tree otherwise?). Also measure the footprint, or circumference, allowing adequate breathing room.
While you’re at it, remember to measure the doorways.
Outfit Yourself
Whether you’re hunting for your prize in a seasonal lot or at a tree farm, you’ll want to be prepared to transport it home.
While many vendors provide netting and will help you bind the tree to your car, it’s still wise to take along some rope, bungee cords and an old sheet or blanket to wrap around the tree to compress the branches and minimize the needle trail.
You’ll want to wear work gloves, both for protection and to avoid sticky digits. If you do get pinesap on your hands, Chad recommends rubbing them with butter, followed by lots of soap and water.
At many farms, cut-your-own is something of a misnomer. “Sometimes families like to bring a handsaw so that each member can make a ceremonial cut,” Chad says, “but because of the sap, they’re harder to cut by hand than you’d think. Usually, we’ll take care of the actual cutting with the chain saw.”
For safety’s sake, it’s probably best to leave the power tools at home and let the pros do it.
The Grand Entrance
Shake your cut tree vigorously before you bring it into the house to dislodge any dead needles and other debris such as twigs. You may also want to go over it by hand — fresh cut trees will occasionally contain bird’s nests.
“If you’re setting the tree up indoors as soon as you bring it home,” Chad says, “you can put it directly into water, but if it sits for two or three days, you’ll want to make a fresh, angled cut at the bottom of the trunk so that it will absorb water more efficiently.”
Like May in December
A balled or container Christmas tree represents a more significant financial investment than a cut tree. It also requires some special treatment. A balled tree is heavy. When transporting the tree, carry it by the root ball, not the trunk. A wheelbarrow or dolly can be helpful.
Because it is a living plant, extreme temperatures will affect its well-being. Moving directly from 35-degree field conditions into your 70-degree living room can mislead the tree into believing it’s springtime and coax it out of dormancy.
After you’ve purchased your live tree, store it for several days in an unheated but protected area, such as a garage or shed, to allow it to slowly acclimate to indoor conditions. Once it’s inside your home, keep the ambient temperature on the cool side and avoid placing the tree near heating sources.
Ideally, the tree should be indoors for no more than a week. Move it back into the garage or shed for a few days before planting to reverse the acclimation process.
The Waters of Life
Hydration is key to your Christmas tree’s longevity — particularly for a live tree. Your balled tree should be placed in a large, waterproof container and secured with stones or bricks to give weight to the base. You can also add mulch to retain moisture. Make certain that the root ball does not dry out, but don’t let it sit it a puddle — this can rot the roots.
Your cut tree stand should have ample water capacity and you’ll need to check the reservoir regularly; the tree will require substantial amounts of water, especially during the first few days.“Some people have suggested that you can make a cut tree last longer by adding Sprite or sugar,” Chad says. “But a healthy tree will do just fine with plain old water.”
After the Glow
Once the festivities have concluded, the belle of the ball must, reluctantly, be retired. But tossing her in the trash is ignoble and wasteful.“The best way to dispose of your cut Christmas tree is to recycle it,” Chad says. “Turn it into mulch and return it to the land.”
Most municipalities offer recycling services at designated locations and, in some areas, curbside pick-up. Free chips are then made available to the public, or used in community projects. Your tree can also become aquatic. Weighted trees are often submerged in ponds and lakes to provide habitat for fish.
Planting Memories
Pre-digging the hole for your live tree before the first hard freeze is the safest bet. Choose a spot with good drainage where your tree will be sheltered from the wind, which can be as brutal to the young tree as the cold.
If the ground has not yet frozen, get your tree planted as quickly as possible. Don’t plant too deep — the top of the root ball should be 1 or 2 inches above the ground, a bit more in heavy clay soils. If the root ball is encased in burlap, make several cuts in the fabric to allow the roots to spread easily.
Fill the hole with soil, water it well and apply mulch. Don’t fertilize it yet — you don’t want to stimulate growth; wait until spring. Staking the tree will provide it with support until it can establish its roots.
If the ground has frozen, place the ball into the hole and surround it with loose soil and mulch. Plant it properly as soon as possible.
Whether you choose a cut or live tree as your seasonal star, treating your Christmas tree like an honored guest will ensure a holiday that is merry and bright.
