You know the holiday season is here when you have to park so far
away from the stores that there aren’t even oil drippings in the
parking space yet. Or how about crowded stores, long lines,
impolite people and blistered feet? Ah, but there’s an
old-fashioned cure, namely Christmas tree hunting!
You know the holiday season is here when you have to park so far away from the stores that there aren’t even oil drippings in the parking space yet. Or how about crowded stores, long lines, impolite people and blistered feet? Ah, but there’s an old-fashioned cure, namely Christmas tree hunting!
If you think it’s too early, think again. Many people start shopping for Christmas trees on the day after Thanksgiving. We’re lucky in the fact there are numerous locally-owned “choose-and-cut” tree farms in and around our area. Many of these farms encourage customers to make a day of it by offering hot cider and other refreshments, as well as entertainment like caroling or train or hay rides. Of course, one of the big advantages with chopping your own tree is that you’re assured of a fresh tree that will last from right after Thanksgiving through the holidays.
The most popular tree types grown locally are either the long-needled, bright green fullness of the Monterey pine, or the darker green, stiffer-needled Douglas fir. Other varieties can be found with a bit of searching and may include varieties like white fir, noble fir and Scotch pine. However, these varieties will usually cost more.
Speaking of cost, you can often save money by chopping your own tree. Most tree farms charge by the foot, but some still charge a set price for any size tree. If you’re looking for a 12-foot specimen to threaten your cathedral ceiling, these farms are for you.
One tip from a local tree farm owner: Don’t be confused with the thousands of trees to choose from. More often than not, the longer you scour the countryside for that perfect specimen, the more confused you get. She recommends you go ahead and “mark” a likely specimen by placing a rock next to it or tying a ribbon on it. Then, look a little more. If nothing promising comes up, go back to your original choice.
For cut trees – whether you buy it at a tree farm or the corner lot – always make sure to store it outdoors with the trunk in a bucket of water until you’re ready to bring it inside to decorate. It’s also a good idea to spray the entire tree with strong blasts of water. This not only removes any insects that might be on the tree, but allows water to be absorbed through the needles, too.
So, go ahead and get into the holiday spirit. Even if you have an artificial tree stored in the garage, go for an old-fashioned Christmas this year by shopping for your own live tree.
