Reader Q&A

Thanksgiving is next week... a blog entry was due.

Got a great e-mail note forwarded from a farm in New Hampshire. The note came from a customer who had just ordered a farm-grown tree.

From: Terry Kaiser
To: Nigel Manley
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006
Subject: Re: Tree order

Thank you! I bought my first artificial tree last year and can't stand it!!

Answer: Yeah, well, I can see how that would happen. Now unfortunately, that belatedly wise person is left with a non-biodegradable mass of metal and plastic. What’s he going to do with it? Leave it in storage? Toss it in the trash? Either way, it’s a shame. He should have stuck with a Real Tree all along.

Did anyone see the article in the USA Today this week about some of the trends in fake trees? One trend is prices going ever higher. Somehow the fake trees are becoming more realistic with some new kind of plastic mold process and cost about $500! Good grief, I can think of many things I’d rather spend $500 on.

The other trend is fake trees made with black plastic. A black Christmas tree....seriously. How existential. Sometimes I just don’t understand people’s desire to be different for the sake of being different.

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From: Mike
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006
Subject: Tree Stand

I would like to purchase a 12' unflocked tree. I know I need a stand with a water reservoir. I would like to know if you can recommend a manufacturer that is known to produce a safe stand that does not usually allow a tree of that size to tip over. Pretty much what I'm asking is who makes the best large tree stand?

Answer: Hard to say one is "the best"...there are many good ones out there.

I would look at the Cinco stand, which makes several sizes including a large size for trees that big. http://www.cincoplastics.com/

If the retailer you purchase from has a drill machine, you can also get a pin style stand such as the Yule Stand. http://timmitchellsyulestand.com/

Grip tight stands are very stable, but can only hold a trunk 5.5" inch diameter...depending on the species you get, some species will have a thicker trunk at 12 foot tall. http://www.griptightchristmastreestands.com/

Krinner Stands make an XXL size too http://krinnerusa.com/

Sheerlund Products makes a stand called Monster Super Stand http://www.sheerlundproducts.com/store/product.php?productid=16322&cat=288&page=1

With any of these manufacturers, you'd have to call/email them to find out if they have a retailer near you or if they'd sell direct.

Whichever you choose, my advice would be to NOT sacrifice water capacity for stability. You don't have to do that. Another tip to add stability is use some heavy fishing line (like 20 lb clear monofilament which is nearly invisible) tied to the tree and something stable near the tree (end table, sofa, hanging plant hook, etc).

Next week - a TV news piece actually showing how a watered tree does NOT catch on fire. Plus, Trees for Troops is about to kick off.