A couple more for today ...
From: Erika Heinz
Subject: not drinking
I bought my tree the day after Thanksgiving, same as every year. And I watered it every day. Almost a week ago it stopped drinking water. Not a drop. It looks fine. Nothing is turning brown or falling off ... yet. But Christmas is not for a week! And I am getting nervous it may not make it. I drilled a couple of holes in the sides at the botton below the water line just a couple hours ago. Any ideas? I saw all kinds of suggestions from different places online about boiling water, aspirin, bleach. Help!
Answer: Well, those crazy suggestions are not going to help anything. By no means should you put bleach in the tree's water. The rate of water absorption will fluctuate, but admittedly, yes it will also stop altogether eventually. If your tree took up water that many days in a row, I would say it's fine. As long as the water level in the stand did not fall below the cut surface for a long period of time.
From: H & L Cooper
Subject: Christmas Tree Question
You say the best thing for my fresh tree is "plain, fresh, tap water." Does that apply if we have a water-softener? Might the salt hurt the tree?
Answer: No, that won't impact the tree. Your water doesn't have higher salt content, just lower mineral content. The tree is absorbing H2O on a molecular level, and H2O is H2O whether you have a softener or not.
Showing posts with label tree care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tree care. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Reader Q&A
More good comments and questions this week.
From: Jean Conway
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007
Subject: white house tree
As a curious citizen of the USA in a small town of Texas, I was wondering how many trees does the White House have and how much money does it take to buy them?
Answer: The number of trees they use varies from year to year. We have no idea how much they spend on trees, decorations or anything. I can tell you for sure that the main Christmas Tree in the Blue Room does not cost a dime, as the Grand Champion farm donates the tree and the shipping/hauling costs.
You might try browsing the White House Web site for more info.
From: Chris & Sue
Subject: christmas tree care
We want to put a Christmas tree on our enclosed, unheated porch this year. Apparently it's colder in there than we realized, because the water in the stand is freezing solid. Will a tree last for any length of time in a cold environment if isn't getting any water?
Answer: Well, if it's below freezing, the tree is most likely not losing a lot of moisture, unless it is very dry (low humidity) in that room, or there is direct sunlight on the tree, or any kind of air is blowing over the tree. Those conditions are the most common to speeding up the rate of moisture loss out of the foliage of the tree. Even if it freezes over on top, I would recommend leaving water in the stand anyway.
From: JudCllns
Subject: water for the tree
Is there anything I should put into the water to help the tree stay fresh longer?
Answer: No need to add anything to the tree's water. Nothing has ever been shown to increase moisture levels or needle retention better than plain tap water.
From: Vicki Gllam
Subject: urgent question
I have a problem with a balsam fir - my cat is trying to eat it! We purchased this with roots in a large pot for Christmas with intentions of planting it in the spring. Our kitty seems to think it is food! Do you have any idea if any part of the tree may be poisonous to him? Should I be undressing it and putting it in the garage for the balance of the winter?
Answer: Not much of an expert on cats, Vicki, but here's a link we've found on pet safety.
From: Vicki Gllam
Subject: Re: thank you 2 u.q.
Thank you for the quick replay. We have solved the problem by undressing the tree and sticking it in the garage for planting in the spring. Went out this afternoon and bought an icky artificial one, and it our puss wants to tear it apart then he can go for it. So far so good.
Answer: That's unfortunate to hear, Vicki. Let's hope those warnings from environmental groups about lead dust coming off of fake trees is not true. If it were me, I would make double sure my cat didn't ingest any of the PVC needles from the fake tree.
From: Vicki Gllam
Subject: Re: thank you 2 u.q.
Good grief - I never heard about this one. Maybe it is time to forget about a tree and start a new tradition. This little four legged cat is just too special to me to take any chances with. Wicked world out there - will do more research into the toxicity of trees and cats if and where I can find it. Once again - thank you for the tip on the false trees. Starting to wonder how much is actually safe in this old world of ours.
Answer: Here's a page we have with links to stuff we've learned about fake trees.
I've had a lot of people tell me that to prevent their cat from bothering their tree, they got a blue spruce on year and it never bothered the tree again. Blue spruce has very prickly needles that cats dislike very much. I've never had a cat and a Christmas Tree at the same time so I don't personally know, but it makes sense.
From: Mike
Subject: balsam fir has no scent
I cut down a balsam fir Christmas tree at a local farm two weeks ago. It has now been in my house for two weeks and this tree still has absolutely no scent coming from it. Before putting it in the stand, I gave it a fresh cut and the water level has never dropped too low. I water the tree every day. Can you please help me?
Answer: Now, I will say this, at least you have done everything correctly in the care of the tree - I wish more people were as diligent as you. I can also tell you this, the "gooey" stuff in the needles and very thin branches contain most of the resin that releases scent. Try grabbing say 10 or 12 needles from the inside or back side, and snapping them open like a fresh carrot. Then smell. If there is a strong balsam scent coming from the crushed needles, then it isn't the tree.
I would also ask you this: has anyone else been at your place and not smelled the tree?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: balsam fir has no scent
The tree does have a scent if I bend or break the needles. A few people have come over to my place and they couldn't smell the tree either. At the same time my parents live downstairs from me, and as soon as I walk into their place I can smell they tree they bought off a lot. Now I'm thinking that my tree was never "stressed" - it was cut and in the stand with water in under 3 hours. Where "lot" trees are usually cut a week or 2 before you buy them. I'm going to try letting the tree run out of water for a day or two, re-cut the bottom and then see what happens.
Answer: Harvest time and "stress" level is merely a coincidence. I wouldn't let the stand run dry - that only inhibits and delays the tree absorbing moisture, even if you make another fresh cut. That just seems like a lot of hassle for no real benefit. Besides, it's not uncommon for trees to go from harvest in the field to the retail lot in 2 days, not 2 weeks.
I would just keep letting the tree absorb water as it is. High moisture content is one of the main factors in aroma release.
From: Jean Conway
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007
Subject: white house tree
As a curious citizen of the USA in a small town of Texas, I was wondering how many trees does the White House have and how much money does it take to buy them?
Answer: The number of trees they use varies from year to year. We have no idea how much they spend on trees, decorations or anything. I can tell you for sure that the main Christmas Tree in the Blue Room does not cost a dime, as the Grand Champion farm donates the tree and the shipping/hauling costs.
You might try browsing the White House Web site for more info.
From: Chris & Sue
Subject: christmas tree care
We want to put a Christmas tree on our enclosed, unheated porch this year. Apparently it's colder in there than we realized, because the water in the stand is freezing solid. Will a tree last for any length of time in a cold environment if isn't getting any water?
Answer: Well, if it's below freezing, the tree is most likely not losing a lot of moisture, unless it is very dry (low humidity) in that room, or there is direct sunlight on the tree, or any kind of air is blowing over the tree. Those conditions are the most common to speeding up the rate of moisture loss out of the foliage of the tree. Even if it freezes over on top, I would recommend leaving water in the stand anyway.
From: JudCllns
Subject: water for the tree
Is there anything I should put into the water to help the tree stay fresh longer?
Answer: No need to add anything to the tree's water. Nothing has ever been shown to increase moisture levels or needle retention better than plain tap water.
From: Vicki Gllam
Subject: urgent question
I have a problem with a balsam fir - my cat is trying to eat it! We purchased this with roots in a large pot for Christmas with intentions of planting it in the spring. Our kitty seems to think it is food! Do you have any idea if any part of the tree may be poisonous to him? Should I be undressing it and putting it in the garage for the balance of the winter?
Answer: Not much of an expert on cats, Vicki, but here's a link we've found on pet safety.
From: Vicki Gllam
Subject: Re: thank you 2 u.q.
Thank you for the quick replay. We have solved the problem by undressing the tree and sticking it in the garage for planting in the spring. Went out this afternoon and bought an icky artificial one, and it our puss wants to tear it apart then he can go for it. So far so good.
Answer: That's unfortunate to hear, Vicki. Let's hope those warnings from environmental groups about lead dust coming off of fake trees is not true. If it were me, I would make double sure my cat didn't ingest any of the PVC needles from the fake tree.
From: Vicki Gllam
Subject: Re: thank you 2 u.q.
Good grief - I never heard about this one. Maybe it is time to forget about a tree and start a new tradition. This little four legged cat is just too special to me to take any chances with. Wicked world out there - will do more research into the toxicity of trees and cats if and where I can find it. Once again - thank you for the tip on the false trees. Starting to wonder how much is actually safe in this old world of ours.
Answer: Here's a page we have with links to stuff we've learned about fake trees.
I've had a lot of people tell me that to prevent their cat from bothering their tree, they got a blue spruce on year and it never bothered the tree again. Blue spruce has very prickly needles that cats dislike very much. I've never had a cat and a Christmas Tree at the same time so I don't personally know, but it makes sense.
From: Mike
Subject: balsam fir has no scent
I cut down a balsam fir Christmas tree at a local farm two weeks ago. It has now been in my house for two weeks and this tree still has absolutely no scent coming from it. Before putting it in the stand, I gave it a fresh cut and the water level has never dropped too low. I water the tree every day. Can you please help me?
Answer: Now, I will say this, at least you have done everything correctly in the care of the tree - I wish more people were as diligent as you. I can also tell you this, the "gooey" stuff in the needles and very thin branches contain most of the resin that releases scent. Try grabbing say 10 or 12 needles from the inside or back side, and snapping them open like a fresh carrot. Then smell. If there is a strong balsam scent coming from the crushed needles, then it isn't the tree.
I would also ask you this: has anyone else been at your place and not smelled the tree?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: balsam fir has no scent
The tree does have a scent if I bend or break the needles. A few people have come over to my place and they couldn't smell the tree either. At the same time my parents live downstairs from me, and as soon as I walk into their place I can smell they tree they bought off a lot. Now I'm thinking that my tree was never "stressed" - it was cut and in the stand with water in under 3 hours. Where "lot" trees are usually cut a week or 2 before you buy them. I'm going to try letting the tree run out of water for a day or two, re-cut the bottom and then see what happens.
Answer: Harvest time and "stress" level is merely a coincidence. I wouldn't let the stand run dry - that only inhibits and delays the tree absorbing moisture, even if you make another fresh cut. That just seems like a lot of hassle for no real benefit. Besides, it's not uncommon for trees to go from harvest in the field to the retail lot in 2 days, not 2 weeks.
I would just keep letting the tree absorb water as it is. High moisture content is one of the main factors in aroma release.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Reader Q&A
Here's another good (and common) question and answer about how to care for a fresh Christmas Tree.
From: O.A.
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Subject: Tree care - additives to water or not?
I'd like to know if additives (i.e. preservatives) to the water for Christmas Trees are helpful and/or necessary? A well-respected garden store in my town even told me to make a scrape in the trunk of the tree (that would be in the water) with a steak knife, saying that would help with the water intake. In your tree care info, you don't even remark about this so does that mean NCTA doesn't advocate additives/preservatives?
Answer: Well, you've got two issues to address here.
First, scraping the trunk does NOT help with water uptake. I wish they hadn't told you that. In fact, if you cut off pieces of the bark and into the cambium layer, it can inhibit the tree's ability to absorb water. Think of the tree as just a bigger version of fresh flowers in a vase. Before placing flowers in a vase, you snip off the bottom with a pair of scissors. With the tree, you cut about a 1/4-inch piece off the trunk ... and for the same reason, it opens up the plant tissue that absorbs water molecules. The whole system works much like a siphon. As water molecules evaporate out of the foliage, water molecules and other compounds are moved up through the cambium layer. That is the softer plant tissue just below the bark. Not much water is moved up and down in the center of the center stem/trunk where the denser woody mass is located. What stops a siphon system is air. After a period of time, typically 4-6 hours, air molecules enter the cambium layer when the cut surface is exposed to air. When you make a fresh cut, you are removing the air and "re-priming" the plant's system to siphon water again.
Does that make sense?
Second, believe it or not, there have been many controlled studies conducted by plant pathologists over the years measuring various water additives' affect on water uptake and needle retention. Nothing has ever been shown to imrpove water uptake consistently across all species better than plain tap water.
I'll share a quick anecdote. After my first season of working for NCTA, I was talking with a grizzled old tree farm about all the concoctions people put in their tree's water. He got a thoughtful look on his face and said," You know, I don't get it. That tree spends eight years out in my field drinking nothing but rain water, and people get it in their hom and think it suddenly needs a 7-Up. I never it a 7-Up once."
Reader Response: Hi Rick - I knew I'd get a good answer from you! If you don't mind, I plan on forwarding your e-mail to my local well-respected garden store. It didn't make sense to me to scrape the bar, but what do I know? And, it never made sense to me either, why a person had to add preservatives to a tree that had grown on water alone. Thanks again for the information. I want to make the most of my seasonal investment: my tree.
From: O.A.
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Subject: Tree care - additives to water or not?
I'd like to know if additives (i.e. preservatives) to the water for Christmas Trees are helpful and/or necessary? A well-respected garden store in my town even told me to make a scrape in the trunk of the tree (that would be in the water) with a steak knife, saying that would help with the water intake. In your tree care info, you don't even remark about this so does that mean NCTA doesn't advocate additives/preservatives?
Answer: Well, you've got two issues to address here.
First, scraping the trunk does NOT help with water uptake. I wish they hadn't told you that. In fact, if you cut off pieces of the bark and into the cambium layer, it can inhibit the tree's ability to absorb water. Think of the tree as just a bigger version of fresh flowers in a vase. Before placing flowers in a vase, you snip off the bottom with a pair of scissors. With the tree, you cut about a 1/4-inch piece off the trunk ... and for the same reason, it opens up the plant tissue that absorbs water molecules. The whole system works much like a siphon. As water molecules evaporate out of the foliage, water molecules and other compounds are moved up through the cambium layer. That is the softer plant tissue just below the bark. Not much water is moved up and down in the center of the center stem/trunk where the denser woody mass is located. What stops a siphon system is air. After a period of time, typically 4-6 hours, air molecules enter the cambium layer when the cut surface is exposed to air. When you make a fresh cut, you are removing the air and "re-priming" the plant's system to siphon water again.
Does that make sense?
Second, believe it or not, there have been many controlled studies conducted by plant pathologists over the years measuring various water additives' affect on water uptake and needle retention. Nothing has ever been shown to imrpove water uptake consistently across all species better than plain tap water.
I'll share a quick anecdote. After my first season of working for NCTA, I was talking with a grizzled old tree farm about all the concoctions people put in their tree's water. He got a thoughtful look on his face and said," You know, I don't get it. That tree spends eight years out in my field drinking nothing but rain water, and people get it in their hom and think it suddenly needs a 7-Up. I never it a 7-Up once."
Reader Response: Hi Rick - I knew I'd get a good answer from you! If you don't mind, I plan on forwarding your e-mail to my local well-respected garden store. It didn't make sense to me to scrape the bar, but what do I know? And, it never made sense to me either, why a person had to add preservatives to a tree that had grown on water alone. Thanks again for the information. I want to make the most of my seasonal investment: my tree.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Reader Q&A
From: Mary
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Blog Talk Ideas
How do I keep my tree fresh?
I bought a tree yesterday Nov. 26th at Armstrong Nursery ($99 deal includes a 5ft 6" Noble Tree, 6 foot garland, 1 (24) inch wreath, and 4 - Poinsettias). Good Yes?! I think so. The Tree is inside in water. What else can I do to keep it fresh? It has lost needles but lets face it you would too if someone cut you down from your cozy perch. I know this sounds dumb but what else can I do, ADD SUGAR, OR PEROXIDE, BLEACH, PLANT FOOD. NOTHING? RIGHT? I JUST HOPE IT LAST TIL CHRISTMAS .............Thanks Tree Growers
Answer: I can't tell you if that's a good deal or not. I know places where that kind of package would cost more and places it would cost less. Actually, I have no idea how much 4 poinsettias would cost.
You've done everything right. As long as they made a fresh cut for you at the lot and you got it in water within about 4 hours, never let the water level drop below the cut surface of the stump. It will continue to take up water 4-6 weeks. No need to add anything to the water. Read the complete care tips on our website @ http://www.christmastree.org/care.cfm.
From: Todd
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006
Subject: About trimming the tree top
My wife and I have always heard that you absolutely should not cut or trim the top of the tree (i.e. where you'd put the star) because the tree will die faster and dry out very quickly.
Is this true, or is trimming the top the same as cutting any other branch?
Answer: That one's an urban myth, or at least a misunderstanding. A tree loses moisture through a process called transpiration. This means water molecules evaporate into the air through the foliage (needles). Snipping off the leader (top center stem) won't speed up moisture loss.
From: Sue
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006
Subject: Blog Talk Idea
I purchased a 11 ft. real Christmas tree. The stump was so big this year we had to actually cut and carve out the tree stump in order for it to fit in our tree stand. The guy at the nursery that was selling the trees told us to do that. After the tree was up I filled the stand with warm water and added some of the tree preservative that I purchased at the nursery. I figured the tree would drink up the water fast since the carved bottom was all open and freshly cut. The next day I checked the water and the tree hardly drank any water. It has been a week and I still do not need to add water. I have not decorated the tree yet because I use a lot of lights (which dries out the tree). I figured I'd wait until two weeks before. Anyway, I am very concerned about the tree not drinking much water. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Well, you've got several things here to go over.
First, the good news. Your fear of lights drying out the tree are unfounded. Unless they are very old lights, modern mini lights emit very little heat, certainly not enough to speed up moisture loss from the tree.
Now, the bad news. Carving, trimming, cutting the stump to get it to fit into a stand is a bad idea. I wish the person who told you that wouldn't have. That can actually inhibit the tree's ability to move water up the stem.
Here's a brief explanation of the plant physiology. A tree moves water molecules up the stem through tissue in the cambium layer, just below the bark. That's why that part of the tree's trunk is softer and wetter than the denser wood in the middle. It works much like a siphon, as water molecules evaporate out of the foliage, more is drawn up from the trunk. When this part of the trunk is cut and/or removed, it inhibits the ability to draw water. In addition, as that part of the trunk is exposed to air, the air can stop the siphon action. Trimming off outer parts of the trunk exposes the cambium layer to air quicker than a flat, horizontal cut at the bottom.
My recommendation would be to make a clean, fresh cut from the bottom, above any of the trimmed off parts. I would also recommend investing in a new tree stand made for bigger trees. I put some links and descriptions of some stands made for large trees on this blog entry: http://www.christmastree.org/blog061118.cfm
From: Angela
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006
Subject: FAQ Addition
I watered my new tree last night and today my house smells. Is it the stagnant water?? What can I do to make the smell go away? It is a musty smell.
Answer: Well, not knowing more details, it could be any number of things. Where was the stand stored last year? Was it cleaned out before? Was the skirt stored in a damp area (like a basement)? Sometimes things stored in basements can have that musty smell. I know my basement is like that because it's a renovated 150 year old building with original limestone foundation.
However, ruling those types of things out, if the tree was wet before bringing inside...from snow, rain...particularly if it's a dense tree with lots of branches and needles, it may still be damp. I would just give it time to dry out once opened up. Crush a few needles to release the evergreen aroma.
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Blog Talk Ideas
How do I keep my tree fresh?
I bought a tree yesterday Nov. 26th at Armstrong Nursery ($99 deal includes a 5ft 6" Noble Tree, 6 foot garland, 1 (24) inch wreath, and 4 - Poinsettias). Good Yes?! I think so. The Tree is inside in water. What else can I do to keep it fresh? It has lost needles but lets face it you would too if someone cut you down from your cozy perch. I know this sounds dumb but what else can I do, ADD SUGAR, OR PEROXIDE, BLEACH, PLANT FOOD. NOTHING? RIGHT? I JUST HOPE IT LAST TIL CHRISTMAS .............Thanks Tree Growers
Answer: I can't tell you if that's a good deal or not. I know places where that kind of package would cost more and places it would cost less. Actually, I have no idea how much 4 poinsettias would cost.
You've done everything right. As long as they made a fresh cut for you at the lot and you got it in water within about 4 hours, never let the water level drop below the cut surface of the stump. It will continue to take up water 4-6 weeks. No need to add anything to the water. Read the complete care tips on our website @ http://www.christmastree.org/care.cfm.
From: Todd
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006
Subject: About trimming the tree top
My wife and I have always heard that you absolutely should not cut or trim the top of the tree (i.e. where you'd put the star) because the tree will die faster and dry out very quickly.
Is this true, or is trimming the top the same as cutting any other branch?
Answer: That one's an urban myth, or at least a misunderstanding. A tree loses moisture through a process called transpiration. This means water molecules evaporate into the air through the foliage (needles). Snipping off the leader (top center stem) won't speed up moisture loss.
From: Sue
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006
Subject: Blog Talk Idea
I purchased a 11 ft. real Christmas tree. The stump was so big this year we had to actually cut and carve out the tree stump in order for it to fit in our tree stand. The guy at the nursery that was selling the trees told us to do that. After the tree was up I filled the stand with warm water and added some of the tree preservative that I purchased at the nursery. I figured the tree would drink up the water fast since the carved bottom was all open and freshly cut. The next day I checked the water and the tree hardly drank any water. It has been a week and I still do not need to add water. I have not decorated the tree yet because I use a lot of lights (which dries out the tree). I figured I'd wait until two weeks before. Anyway, I am very concerned about the tree not drinking much water. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Well, you've got several things here to go over.
First, the good news. Your fear of lights drying out the tree are unfounded. Unless they are very old lights, modern mini lights emit very little heat, certainly not enough to speed up moisture loss from the tree.
Now, the bad news. Carving, trimming, cutting the stump to get it to fit into a stand is a bad idea. I wish the person who told you that wouldn't have. That can actually inhibit the tree's ability to move water up the stem.
Here's a brief explanation of the plant physiology. A tree moves water molecules up the stem through tissue in the cambium layer, just below the bark. That's why that part of the tree's trunk is softer and wetter than the denser wood in the middle. It works much like a siphon, as water molecules evaporate out of the foliage, more is drawn up from the trunk. When this part of the trunk is cut and/or removed, it inhibits the ability to draw water. In addition, as that part of the trunk is exposed to air, the air can stop the siphon action. Trimming off outer parts of the trunk exposes the cambium layer to air quicker than a flat, horizontal cut at the bottom.
My recommendation would be to make a clean, fresh cut from the bottom, above any of the trimmed off parts. I would also recommend investing in a new tree stand made for bigger trees. I put some links and descriptions of some stands made for large trees on this blog entry: http://www.christmastree.org/blog061118.cfm
From: Angela
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006
Subject: FAQ Addition
I watered my new tree last night and today my house smells. Is it the stagnant water?? What can I do to make the smell go away? It is a musty smell.
Answer: Well, not knowing more details, it could be any number of things. Where was the stand stored last year? Was it cleaned out before? Was the skirt stored in a damp area (like a basement)? Sometimes things stored in basements can have that musty smell. I know my basement is like that because it's a renovated 150 year old building with original limestone foundation.
However, ruling those types of things out, if the tree was wet before bringing inside...from snow, rain...particularly if it's a dense tree with lots of branches and needles, it may still be damp. I would just give it time to dry out once opened up. Crush a few needles to release the evergreen aroma.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Reader Q&A
From: Martha
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Subject: Which Tree?
Which kind of tree would smell the best? I haven't had a real tree in years and I've missed it.
Answer: Glad to know you'll be going back to a traditional, farm-grown Christmas Tree Martha. It's impossible to tell you which tree smells the best. Smell is a very subjective sense...what smells "good" to me may not to other people, and so on. I can't even tell you that one species of tree smells stronger, for certain, because again, everyone smells things differently. There are some general consensus characteristics, such as Leyland Cypress has very little aroma, Douglas-fir has a citrus smell, White Pine has light aroma unless sap oozes out, most of the fir species are typically described as strong aroma. You can read more about general characteristics of common species on this page http://www.christmastree.org/common.cfm.
From: Bob and Mary Ellen
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Subject: Blog Talk Ideas
We plan to cut a scraggley spruce or balsam tree from our woods to use for outdoor decorating and shelter for the birds at the feeders. Can this tree be cut now, though it is unseasonably warm at this moment here in northern Wisconsin? We would the tree to stay green through the winter.
Answer: hard to say...it would have a much better chance if you put the butt in a bucket of water and filled it through the season. Otherwise, how quickly it will dry out will depend on many things such as relative humidity, how much direct sunlight is on it each day, how much wind it is exposed to, how much snow and ice falls on it, etc.
Response from Mary Ellen: I am very impressed with your prompt reply and plan to do what you suggest (even though the consequence of putting one's butt into a bucket of water during northern Wisconsin winter would no doubt be to find one's butt in a bucket of ice before much time passes--sorry, I simply couldn't resist that comment :)
Thanks so much for taking your time to reply to our email. We will try our best to do as you suggest to keep the tree green as long as possible.
Answer: LOL...yeah, well, I guess I could have explained that a little better. The other tip I can suggest is to put the tree in a garage or someplace a little warmer than just outside once placed in a bucket of water. The warmer temp will stimulate water absorption, give it a few days then move it outside.
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Subject: Which Tree?
Which kind of tree would smell the best? I haven't had a real tree in years and I've missed it.
Answer: Glad to know you'll be going back to a traditional, farm-grown Christmas Tree Martha. It's impossible to tell you which tree smells the best. Smell is a very subjective sense...what smells "good" to me may not to other people, and so on. I can't even tell you that one species of tree smells stronger, for certain, because again, everyone smells things differently. There are some general consensus characteristics, such as Leyland Cypress has very little aroma, Douglas-fir has a citrus smell, White Pine has light aroma unless sap oozes out, most of the fir species are typically described as strong aroma. You can read more about general characteristics of common species on this page http://www.christmastree.org/common.cfm.
From: Bob and Mary Ellen
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Subject: Blog Talk Ideas
We plan to cut a scraggley spruce or balsam tree from our woods to use for outdoor decorating and shelter for the birds at the feeders. Can this tree be cut now, though it is unseasonably warm at this moment here in northern Wisconsin? We would the tree to stay green through the winter.
Answer: hard to say...it would have a much better chance if you put the butt in a bucket of water and filled it through the season. Otherwise, how quickly it will dry out will depend on many things such as relative humidity, how much direct sunlight is on it each day, how much wind it is exposed to, how much snow and ice falls on it, etc.
Response from Mary Ellen: I am very impressed with your prompt reply and plan to do what you suggest (even though the consequence of putting one's butt into a bucket of water during northern Wisconsin winter would no doubt be to find one's butt in a bucket of ice before much time passes--sorry, I simply couldn't resist that comment :)
Thanks so much for taking your time to reply to our email. We will try our best to do as you suggest to keep the tree green as long as possible.
Answer: LOL...yeah, well, I guess I could have explained that a little better. The other tip I can suggest is to put the tree in a garage or someplace a little warmer than just outside once placed in a bucket of water. The warmer temp will stimulate water absorption, give it a few days then move it outside.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Reader Q&A
From: jhanson
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Subject: Tree Watering Question
Whoops -- I inadvertently let the water level drop below the trunk of my fresh-cut tree. The bottom felt moist -- very sticky and sappy. What can I do to give my tree the best chance of continuing to take water?
Answer: Having the cut surface exposed to air for a long period of time greatly reduces the tree's ability to absorb and move water molecules through its system, but it doesn't completely eliminate it. Much like a cut flower, the only effective solution if you think that's happened is to make a fresh cut to reopen the plant tissue which absorbs water.
Again, though, the rate of water level in the stand going up and down will fluctuate naturally. I put my tree up Friday night and within 2 hours it had absorbed about 3 qts of water, then it slowed down and I didn't fill the stand again until almost 48 hours later.
From: Steven
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Ok so I'm very curious why when you click on the image of the White House Christmas Tree here it is shown side ways pointing to the "right"? Perhaps a political comment considering the current occupant? :-)
Answer: LOL...interesting observation. And I thought I was a conspiracy theorist...
Nope, just a case of the graphical image not being edited before put on that page. Once it's flipped around it will be non-ideological again.
....can a tree be ideological?....
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Subject: Tree Watering Question
Whoops -- I inadvertently let the water level drop below the trunk of my fresh-cut tree. The bottom felt moist -- very sticky and sappy. What can I do to give my tree the best chance of continuing to take water?
Answer: Having the cut surface exposed to air for a long period of time greatly reduces the tree's ability to absorb and move water molecules through its system, but it doesn't completely eliminate it. Much like a cut flower, the only effective solution if you think that's happened is to make a fresh cut to reopen the plant tissue which absorbs water.
Again, though, the rate of water level in the stand going up and down will fluctuate naturally. I put my tree up Friday night and within 2 hours it had absorbed about 3 qts of water, then it slowed down and I didn't fill the stand again until almost 48 hours later.
From: Steven
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Ok so I'm very curious why when you click on the image of the White House Christmas Tree here it is shown side ways pointing to the "right"? Perhaps a political comment considering the current occupant? :-)
Answer: LOL...interesting observation. And I thought I was a conspiracy theorist...
Nope, just a case of the graphical image not being edited before put on that page. Once it's flipped around it will be non-ideological again.
....can a tree be ideological?....
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Smelly Tree, Smelly Tree
More interesting questions ...
I have a very interesting situation. I went to a choose and cut farm on Saturday and cut a very nice and healthy looking white pine. (I think it's a white pine).
Anyway - the tree seems very healthy and is drinking lots and lots of water. I tried something new this year and crumbled up a small portion of an "evergreen feeding spike" into the watering jug and let it dissolve. We now have a foul odor in the house that we swear seems to be coming from the tree? (almost a rotten egg smell)...Have you ever heard of a fresh cut Christmas Tree stinking? I am dumbfounded!
Answer: An evergreen feeding spike? Isn't that basically fertilizer? Which is mostly nitrogen, which combined with 4 hydrogen molecules makes NH4, which is ammonia? That's what smells like rotten eggs...not the tree.
Remove the water with the feeding spike in it and replace with plain fresh tap water as recommended in our care tips. A crushed up feeding spike does not aid the tree in any way. You can use a turkey baster to remove the stinky water, or even a shop vac with a small tube attachment.
From: Afottrell
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Subject: tree by mail?
We need a skinny tree, but fresh, and read a newspaper article about Christmas trees being bought by mail online. We want to order a 7-8 foot pine or fir that is no more than 4 and a half feet wide at its widest. We are willing to pay up to $75., including shipping.
Answer: Yep, you can certainly order a tree through the internet and have it shipped directly to your home. I have done this for years. It’s quite convenient for those who don’t have time to go out and shop for a tree. A list of Christmas Tree farms which offer mail order sales can be found @ http://www.christmastree.org/search.cfm ...click on “Retail Mail Order Trees” in the left column.
Some things to consider:
I have a very interesting situation. I went to a choose and cut farm on Saturday and cut a very nice and healthy looking white pine. (I think it's a white pine).
Anyway - the tree seems very healthy and is drinking lots and lots of water. I tried something new this year and crumbled up a small portion of an "evergreen feeding spike" into the watering jug and let it dissolve. We now have a foul odor in the house that we swear seems to be coming from the tree? (almost a rotten egg smell)...Have you ever heard of a fresh cut Christmas Tree stinking? I am dumbfounded!
Answer: An evergreen feeding spike? Isn't that basically fertilizer? Which is mostly nitrogen, which combined with 4 hydrogen molecules makes NH4, which is ammonia? That's what smells like rotten eggs...not the tree.
Remove the water with the feeding spike in it and replace with plain fresh tap water as recommended in our care tips. A crushed up feeding spike does not aid the tree in any way. You can use a turkey baster to remove the stinky water, or even a shop vac with a small tube attachment.
From: Afottrell
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Subject: tree by mail?
We need a skinny tree, but fresh, and read a newspaper article about Christmas trees being bought by mail online. We want to order a 7-8 foot pine or fir that is no more than 4 and a half feet wide at its widest. We are willing to pay up to $75., including shipping.
Answer: Yep, you can certainly order a tree through the internet and have it shipped directly to your home. I have done this for years. It’s quite convenient for those who don’t have time to go out and shop for a tree. A list of Christmas Tree farms which offer mail order sales can be found @ http://www.christmastree.org/search.cfm ...click on “Retail Mail Order Trees” in the left column.
Some things to consider:
- you are limited to a 7 foot maximum size tree
- not all species can be shipped because they are not durable enough
- you will need a saw to make a fresh cut off the stump before putting in the stand, even if you order overnight delivery
Friday, December 9, 2005
How Early Is Too Early?
Here's a question from a Web site visitor:
I live in North Carolina and usually buy a real tree for Christmas, but the last few years they have been cut so early they dry out and rain needles before Christmas. I know part of it may be that my house may be dry, but I do cut the bottom and water every day until it stops drinking which is after a few days.
Then I check the water often. I would rather buy my tree closer to Christmas, but they've already been cut so I feel like I have to buy it early to water it. Then it won't last until Christmas, much less New Years. I've always taken mine down New Years Day or the day after, but the last few years they rain needles until I can barely make it until Christmas.
You are about to lose a lifetime customer, because I want better for my money besides wanting to enjoy the tree.
Sarah
Answer: First, you shouldn't feel obligated to buy a tree early. It's more common for retail lots with cut trees, especially the bigger ones, to receive multiple shipments from the growers throughout the 3 or 4 weeks of the sales season. In fact, growers are still harvesting this week to ship loads of trees to retail lots. So, just because it's Dec 9, does not mean all trees on lots are "old" meaning they were harvested weeks ago. And we advise consumers to ask retail lot managers directly "Do you receive multiple shipments? Are they staggered? Do you receive trees from multiple farms?" Also, we advise consumers to look for indications that retail lots are doing the necessary things to store and display trees properly. Are they kept baled/netted until brought out for display? Are they stored mostly out of the sun and wind? If it's a warm climate, are the trees misted?
Once home, it sounds like you've done the necessary things to keep a tree fresh. It's not unusual at all for the water absorption rate to slow down, speed up, slow down, or any combination like that. As a tree loses moisture from evaporation out of the needles, it will move water molecules up through it's system from the base of the trunk (from the stand) but the speed of that process is influenced by a number of factors including temp of home, relative humidity inside the home, direct sunlight on the tree, and even the unique genetics of the tree itself. Even two trees of the same species from the same farm can perform differently sitting right next to each other in the same home.
I know that sounds like a lot of double-talk or mumbo jumbo...I just want to be thorough and try to explain all we know about trees and how they react in the home as a Christmas Tree. It is unusual for a tree, when properly cared for, to not maintain freshness and aroma for 4 weeks, the typical time inside. Losing some needles is natural and inevitable.
I live in North Carolina and usually buy a real tree for Christmas, but the last few years they have been cut so early they dry out and rain needles before Christmas. I know part of it may be that my house may be dry, but I do cut the bottom and water every day until it stops drinking which is after a few days.
Then I check the water often. I would rather buy my tree closer to Christmas, but they've already been cut so I feel like I have to buy it early to water it. Then it won't last until Christmas, much less New Years. I've always taken mine down New Years Day or the day after, but the last few years they rain needles until I can barely make it until Christmas.
You are about to lose a lifetime customer, because I want better for my money besides wanting to enjoy the tree.
Sarah
Answer: First, you shouldn't feel obligated to buy a tree early. It's more common for retail lots with cut trees, especially the bigger ones, to receive multiple shipments from the growers throughout the 3 or 4 weeks of the sales season. In fact, growers are still harvesting this week to ship loads of trees to retail lots. So, just because it's Dec 9, does not mean all trees on lots are "old" meaning they were harvested weeks ago. And we advise consumers to ask retail lot managers directly "Do you receive multiple shipments? Are they staggered? Do you receive trees from multiple farms?" Also, we advise consumers to look for indications that retail lots are doing the necessary things to store and display trees properly. Are they kept baled/netted until brought out for display? Are they stored mostly out of the sun and wind? If it's a warm climate, are the trees misted?
Once home, it sounds like you've done the necessary things to keep a tree fresh. It's not unusual at all for the water absorption rate to slow down, speed up, slow down, or any combination like that. As a tree loses moisture from evaporation out of the needles, it will move water molecules up through it's system from the base of the trunk (from the stand) but the speed of that process is influenced by a number of factors including temp of home, relative humidity inside the home, direct sunlight on the tree, and even the unique genetics of the tree itself. Even two trees of the same species from the same farm can perform differently sitting right next to each other in the same home.
I know that sounds like a lot of double-talk or mumbo jumbo...I just want to be thorough and try to explain all we know about trees and how they react in the home as a Christmas Tree. It is unusual for a tree, when properly cared for, to not maintain freshness and aroma for 4 weeks, the typical time inside. Losing some needles is natural and inevitable.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
First Blog Entry
The initial blog entry...and it was tough deciding which topics to discuss. There are many to choose from, especially on opening sales weekend. I probably should have started this sooner.
This will be the 8th year of managing public relations for the Christmas Tree industry, and it has been an interesting experience. Although some friends and associates refer to me now as “the christmas tree guy” there is still much I can learn about how Christmas Trees are grown, harvested, marketed and sold. Often, I am forced to learn something because of a question sent via email from a consumer. It is for this reason, that we urged the association leadership to authorize us to start an interactive blog on the web site.
My hope is that the blog will be a fun, entertaining and interesting feature which allows people to express feelings and ask questions.
This kind of question is very common the first weekend after Thanksgiving. John sent the following email: When is the best time to buy a real Christmas tree?
There is no exact answer we can provide to that question. There is no “best” time or “worst” time to get your tree. But, since Christmas Eve is 4 weeks from today, I would advise John or anyone else that you can get your tree any time you’d like now. Generally, any species in any location will be able to stay fresh and aromatic for 4 weeks. We’ve compiled a pretty comprehensive list of care tips on the site and urge everyone to read them and follow them.
Speaking of care tips, every year there are varied tips and suggestions on how to care for a cut Christmas Tree. Last year, a TV station in the Pacific Northwest aired a story on their newscast that said it was recommended that you add vodka to the tree’s water stand. Their source for this recommendation?....an architect who decided to share a drink with his tree one year!! Now there’s “expert” advice for you. We were in the office late that day disseminating a Consumer Alert countering that really bad advice. Alcohol, chemically speaking, is a desiccant that breaks down plant tissue...very bad for a tree.
Because there are so many conflicting bits and pieces of tips and suggestions available, we get a lot of questions on this topic and it will be most likely be a recurring topic on the blog. We’d like to hear from you some of the more bizarre tree care suggestions you’ve heard over the years. Post them as a response and we’ll use the more interesting ones and explain why they actually would or wouldn’t work.
As for news, this coming week kicks off the domestic deliveries in the Trees for Troops program. If you haven’t heard about this, go back to the home page and look for the link in the bottom right corner. Monday will be both the first pick up of trees and delivery of trees to the first military base, Ft. Lewis in Washington state. Monday is also the day the White House Christmas Tree is presented to the First Lady by the NCTA Grand Champions.
Speaking of the White House Christmas Tree, every year we get e-mails from people who want to donate a tree in their yard to be the White House Christmas Tree. It’s like a small piece of the news about the White House Christmas Tree got through, but not the details. The tree is presented each year by the NCTA Grand Champion. How do you become Grand Champion? Well, the first thing to do is farm Christmas Trees for a living. You have to be a professional grower and a member of NCTA. It’s not simply a matter of having an evergreen tree that needs cut down. The second thing is you have to win a tree contest in your state/regional association, which qualifies you to enter a tree in the national tree contest. “Entering a tree” is literally taking a tree you have grown on your farm to a meeting and having it judged against other trees grown by other farmers. It is an extremely difficult challenge, and winning the national contest really is the pinnacle of the Christmas Tree farming profession.
Monday will be a very interesting day here at the association office.
This will be the 8th year of managing public relations for the Christmas Tree industry, and it has been an interesting experience. Although some friends and associates refer to me now as “the christmas tree guy” there is still much I can learn about how Christmas Trees are grown, harvested, marketed and sold. Often, I am forced to learn something because of a question sent via email from a consumer. It is for this reason, that we urged the association leadership to authorize us to start an interactive blog on the web site.
My hope is that the blog will be a fun, entertaining and interesting feature which allows people to express feelings and ask questions.
This kind of question is very common the first weekend after Thanksgiving. John sent the following email: When is the best time to buy a real Christmas tree?
There is no exact answer we can provide to that question. There is no “best” time or “worst” time to get your tree. But, since Christmas Eve is 4 weeks from today, I would advise John or anyone else that you can get your tree any time you’d like now. Generally, any species in any location will be able to stay fresh and aromatic for 4 weeks. We’ve compiled a pretty comprehensive list of care tips on the site and urge everyone to read them and follow them.
Speaking of care tips, every year there are varied tips and suggestions on how to care for a cut Christmas Tree. Last year, a TV station in the Pacific Northwest aired a story on their newscast that said it was recommended that you add vodka to the tree’s water stand. Their source for this recommendation?....an architect who decided to share a drink with his tree one year!! Now there’s “expert” advice for you. We were in the office late that day disseminating a Consumer Alert countering that really bad advice. Alcohol, chemically speaking, is a desiccant that breaks down plant tissue...very bad for a tree.
Because there are so many conflicting bits and pieces of tips and suggestions available, we get a lot of questions on this topic and it will be most likely be a recurring topic on the blog. We’d like to hear from you some of the more bizarre tree care suggestions you’ve heard over the years. Post them as a response and we’ll use the more interesting ones and explain why they actually would or wouldn’t work.
As for news, this coming week kicks off the domestic deliveries in the Trees for Troops program. If you haven’t heard about this, go back to the home page and look for the link in the bottom right corner. Monday will be both the first pick up of trees and delivery of trees to the first military base, Ft. Lewis in Washington state. Monday is also the day the White House Christmas Tree is presented to the First Lady by the NCTA Grand Champions.
Speaking of the White House Christmas Tree, every year we get e-mails from people who want to donate a tree in their yard to be the White House Christmas Tree. It’s like a small piece of the news about the White House Christmas Tree got through, but not the details. The tree is presented each year by the NCTA Grand Champion. How do you become Grand Champion? Well, the first thing to do is farm Christmas Trees for a living. You have to be a professional grower and a member of NCTA. It’s not simply a matter of having an evergreen tree that needs cut down. The second thing is you have to win a tree contest in your state/regional association, which qualifies you to enter a tree in the national tree contest. “Entering a tree” is literally taking a tree you have grown on your farm to a meeting and having it judged against other trees grown by other farmers. It is an extremely difficult challenge, and winning the national contest really is the pinnacle of the Christmas Tree farming profession.
Monday will be a very interesting day here at the association office.
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