Christmas Tree Selection and Care

by ED LEE

Introduction

The Thanksgiving turkey has safely been put away, you just settle down for a long weekend of football when there comes the sound of a wee small voice, "When are we going to put up the Christmas tree." You now have a new goal--finding that ONE Christmas tree out of the 32 million trees what will be sold this year. Finding that PERFECT tree, YOUR tree, has now become a part of the holiday tradition.

This article discusses types of trees, tree species, cut tree care, offers safety tips on decorating trees, and considers tree disposal.

Things that should be considered when selecting a Christmas tree include:

• The type of tree you desire, "real" or "artificial". "Real" Christmas trees are available as "cut" or " live" which may be either "potted" or "balled-and-burlapped".
• Space available for the Christmas tree. Locate the tree away from heat sources and out of traffic patterns. Measure the area selected for the tree, include both width and ceiling height. Even though several inches may be cut off of the butt end, the size of the stand and/or size of root ball or pot will add several inches to the tree's overall height.
• Species of Christmas trees desired.
• Where to purchase your Christmas tree, options include local retail lots (pre-cut), local growers (choose-and-cut), or nurseries/garden centers (pre-cut or live).
• Handling and maintenance of the cut-tree or live-tree.
• Decoration/safety
• Disposal

Choose-and-cut trees are available from Christmas tree growers throughout Oklahoma. This visit to the tree farm can sometimes be used as an "outdoor outing", with activities for the entire family. For the locations of local growers watch for newspaper ads at the beginning of the holiday season, around Thanksgiving, visit the internet at sites such as Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association or Christmas Tree Farm Network or use your favorite search engine, or contact your local Extension office for growers who have notified the office. Locally-grown trees are increasingly popular in the Oklahoma Christmas tree market. Virginia pine and Scotch pine are the most common trees available from Oklahoma growers. Other species that may be are available include Austrian pine, ponderosa pine, white pine, Norway spruce, and concolor fir.

Buy a choose-and-cut tree the way you would a pre-cut tree. Freshness and health are still the most important characteristics. Most growers will usually have many trees marked for sale in various sizes. The consumer is free to wander around, look at all the trees, and select one for cutting. Some growers will cut the tree for you and others will expect you to cut your own.

Once you have chosen a fresh Christmas tree, do your best to keep it fresh. A tree can stay fresh and healthy for several weeks if it is well cared for.

• When you get the tree home, cut about an inch off of the butt end to remove clogged wood and to aid in water absorption. Get the cut end into a container of plain water quickly.
• If the tree is not to be put up right away, store it in a protected, shady, unheated area. Cut the end and place the tree in a bucket of water.
• When the tree is brought into the house, saw a slice of the butt again to insure water absorption.
• Use a sturdy stand with a large water reservoir so it won't dry out. A fresh tree can use 1 pint to a gallon of water a day depending upon the size, so water daily. A tree is beginning to dry out if its water use slows or stops. If the tree does become dried out, it may not be able to adequately absorb moisture when it is re-watered, and will shed its needles prematurely. If this happens, it will be necessary to take the tree down, cut off a 1-inch slice, replace the tree in the stand and rewater.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, TV's, radiators, and air ducts. Never have open flames on or near a Christmas tree.

Species

• Douglas-fir, not a true fir, has 3/4- to 1-1/2-inch long needles that occur singly and are dark yellow-green or blue-green. Needle retention is good and most trees have good form, color, and density.
• Balsam fir, a true fir, has flat 1/2- to 1-inch long needles that occur singly. The needles are shiny dark green on top and silvery white underneath. The attractive color, good fragrance, and good needle retention make it very popular, especially in the northeastern United States.
• Concolor fir, another true fir, has flattened, blue-green needles about 1-1/2 inches long. It has nice color and form, but needles tend to drop indoors. Concolor fir is becoming very expensive because of its popularity as a landscape tree.
• Ponderosa pine looks very similar to Austrian pine, but needles are longer, in bundles of 2 and 3, and may be lighter colored.
• Scotch pine, or Scots pine, needles are in clusters of 2 and are 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long. Winter color ranges from yellow-green to blue-green and needle retention is good. Form is more open than on non-pines, but sheared trees can be very dense.
• Virginia pine is long lasting, has a strong top that is straight and uniform, strong limbs that will support heavy ornaments, has a clean, pleasant pine scent and a dark green color. Needle retention is excellent.
• Eastern white pine has 3- to 5-inch long needles in bundles of 5. Needles have a feathery feel and a pleasing, blue-green color.
• Eastern redcedar is not a true cedar, but is one of the junipers. This species grows wild throughout much of Oklahoma. Its form and color are highly variable. Winter color of the trees tend to be dark purple-green and the odor can be quite strong. Foliage holds well, but twigs are thin and flexible and may not hold heavy ornaments well. This species is not usually sold as a Christmas tree but can often be obtained free with a land-owner's permission.
• Blue spruce and Norway spruce needles occur singly, are 1/2- to 1-inch long, and are stiffer than Douglas-fir. Blue spruce usually has light blue or gray needles and Norway spruce needles are darker green. Both have good form, a pleasing odor, and dense foliage, but lose their needles quickly in warm rooms. Both can be fairly expensive.
• Other pre-harvested trees that may be found include the Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Nordman Fir, and Fraser Fir.

Ingredients		Amount
 
Borax			7 ounces
 
Boric acid powder	3 ounces
 
Warm water		2 quarts

Mix these materials well. Immerse the materials to be treated or spray the solution on. Remember, this solution is a fire retardant, not a flame-proofing agent and is not effective in protecting a tree from fire.

Tree Disposal

Christmas trees can be useful even after they are taken down. The trees can be placed in the yard to add greenery and by attaching suet and fruit it can act as a bird haven until spring. They can be weighted and placed strategically in ponds to provide shelter for fish. Be sure to secure permission from the appropriate authorities before placing any potential hazard in any public pond, lake, or resevoir. Tulsa has an annual "12th Night Burning of the Greens" at Johnson Park soon after Christmas. Christmas trees are gathered and used for a large bon-fire appropriately supervised by the Tulsa Fire Department. Check your local newspaper or watch for TV announcements for dates and drop-off points. Trees are also a source of organic material. They can be used for firewood or chopped up and used as a mulch. The Tulsa City Greenwaste Site locations are 71st Street South, between Elwood Avenue and the Arkansas River, (open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday thru Wednesdays, except City holidays) and at 3300 N. Yale Avenue(open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday thru Saturday, except City holidays).


This material includes numerous excerpts from the following sources:
1. G88-866; Christmas Tree Selection and Care, Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1995.
2. Pub. 420-641, Selection and care of Christmas Trees, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1996.
3. Christmas Tree--Live, Horticulture Solutions Series, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois, College of Agricultural, consumer and Environmental Sciences, 1995.