Holidays in the Valley : Trim the Tree, Then Keep It Fresh and Safe
Ever since the Middle Ages, when evergreens were adorned with apples, trees have been the focal point of holiday decor.
The custom spread throughout England in the 1840s when Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, put a tree up in their palace. Historians believe the first Christmas trees came to America when homesick Hessian mercenaries decorated trees during the Revolutionary War.
Now, more than 80% of households decorate a tree during the holidays.
TREE TIPS
Decide where the tree will go before you go shopping, so you can find a tree to fit the space rather than try to find a space to fit a huge tree.
Temporary tree lots sprout up on every vacant lot during the holidays, but home-improvement centers, nurseries and tree farms are also good sources. If you go early in the season, you’ll get a good selection of fresh trees.
You want to find a well-trimmed, healthy tree with pliable needles. It should look and smell good. Shake or bounce the tree lightly to check for falling needles. If only a few drop off, the tree is fresh. Make sure the limbs are strong enough to hold your ornaments.
Store the tree in a cool spot if you’re going to wait a few days before decorating it. Make a diagonal cut one inch above the butt and put the tree in a bucket of water. Spray it with water to keep the needles fresh. When you’re ready to set the tree up, make another diagonal cut an inch above the butt and put it in a water-bearing tree stand (continue to add water daily).
Douglas, balsam and noble firs and spruce varieties, such as blue spruce, are the most popular cut trees because their branch arrangement is the best for holding ornaments. Monterey pines are popular at cut-your-own tree farms.
With growing concern for the environment, more families are going with artificial trees that can be used year after year or living trees that can be planted outdoors after the holiday season.
Look for high-quality artificial trees at nurseries or floral shops that specialize in silk plants.
When selecting a live tree, you’ll also want to consider freshness and resiliency. Also make sure it’s a size that you can handle when you’re ready to plant it outdoors (have the planting site picked out before you shop, and keep in mind that trees grow) and that it’s a species suited to the climate.
TRIMMING TIPS
Every family has special ornaments that remind them of Christmases past. Perhaps the most popular, according to American Greetings, are those that commemorate special events, such as “Baby’s First Christmas” or “Our First Christmas Together.”
“Ornaments have a lot of sentimental value,” says Scott Helm, seasonal program manager for American Greetings. “People enjoy keeping souvenirs of the milestone events in their lives.”
People also like fanciful ornaments that reflect special interests, such as Santas skiing or swinging a golf club. Hallmark has ornaments featuring Dickens characters and a “Starship Enterprise” ornament for “Star Trek” fans.
Trees decorated with a theme are always popular, and those with a family oriented country motif are especially popular this year. Try dressing your tree in grape vines, berries, small toys, gingerbread men and, of course, homemade paper chains and garlands of popcorn.
An unusual option offered by Sunset magazine is a tree trimmed with fresh winter-blooming flowers and greenery. The flowers are kept in water-filled vials (check with your florist for the longest-lasting blossoms). Complete the look with greens of ivy and holly.
SAFETY FIRST
Live, cut or artificial, bringing a tree into the house is a safety hazard. We’ve all heard stories about combustible trees catching fire and burning a house to the ground.
Smart tips include keeping the tree moist by placing it in a water-bearing stand. Keep it away from sources of heat, such as a fireplace, radiator, heating duct or appliances that generate heat. Don’t use any lights that have frayed or worn cords, and keep electrical cords away from the water stand. Of course, don’t use candles on or near the tree. Lit trees should never be left unattended.
Keep an eye on small children and pets; both might be tempted to climb the tree, knock it down or eat it’s ornaments. Cats are famous for mistaking Christmas trees for scratching posts.
When it’s time to pull the tree down, don’t try to burn it in the fireplace. Dry trees are highly flammable, and the fire could easily rage out of control. Avid gardeners can turn their trees into compost, or you can contact a nursery about disposal. Community groups sometimes collect or set up a drop site for trees after the holidays.
