Tree Care | xmasbazaar

How To Select A Christmas Tree

Determine where in your home you will display your tree. With this in mind, you will be able to tell how tall a tree you will need and whether all four sides must be suitable for display.

Freshness is an important key when selecting your tree. The needles should be resilient. Take hold of a branch about six inches from the tip, between thumb and forefinger. Pull your hand toward you allowing the branch to slip through your fingers. Needles should adhere to the branch and not fall off in your hand.

Bend a needle between your forefinger and thumb. The needle should form a "U" without breaking unless the tree is frozen.

Lift the tree a couple of inches off the ground, then bring it down abruptly on the stump end. Older outside needles should not fall in substantial numbers. (Inside needles shed naturally every year).

The tree should have a fragrance and a good green colour.

A fresh tree will retain its moisture content and thereby keep its fragrance and needles if kept in a stand that has good water-holding capacity.

Caring For Live (Potted) Christmas Trees

Here are some tips,

recommended by the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario,

on choosing and looking after a live tree:

1. When choosing a live tree, the final location in your yard must influence the type you select. Most species like a sheltered area out of the wind while they are young, but all enjoy lots of sunlight. Soil types and the local environment influence which species of evergreen will grow best in your garden. Check with a reliable tree nursery or a government forester to find out which species will do well in your area.

2. Make sure that the root ball around the base of the tree is securely bound and that the dirt around it is tightly packed. If the roots have become detached from the soil ball, the tree will not grow well. Always carry the tree by the root ball, not the trunk.

3. Water the root ball as soon as you get the tree home. Let the excess water drain off for at least a full day before wrapping it in plastic to preserve moisture. The plastic will also protect your household floors. The root ball should be kept damp, but not soaking wet. Make sure the tree receives adequate water.

4. The tree should be stored in an unheated and sheltered area such as a garage or porch, out of the wind and sun. Do not expose the root ball to repetitive freezing and thawing.

5. Ten days is the maximum time that a live tree should spend in a heated house. If they stay inside any longer, they will become too accustomed to being in the warmth and will not be able to withstand the harsh cold outside again. Don't move the tree abruptly between temperature extremes either taking it into the house or back out.

6. The tree may be decorated, but with care. If lights are used, make sure that they give off as little heat as possible. Twinkle lights are best.

How To Care For Your Christmas Tree

Remember, a Christmas tree is a living thing,

look after it as carefully as you would a cut flower.

Once you select a Christmas tree,

follow these suggestions to keep it fresh and safe:

1. If you buy your tree several days before you plan to set it up, store the tree outdoors or on a cool porch or patio until you are ready to decorate. An area that provides protection from the wind and sun will help the tree retain its moisture.

2. If you plan to store the tree for several days, make a straight cut across the butt end of the tree about one inch from the end. This opens the tree stem so it can take up water. Store the tree upright and place the butt end in a container of water.

3. When you bring the tree into the house for decorating, make another fresh cut across the trunk about an inch from the original cut. Use a tree stand that holds plenty of water.

4. Trees are thirsty. They may drink up to four litres of water per day, so be sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. A stand which holds at least four litres of water is recommended. If you allow the water level to drop below the bottom of the tree, a seal will form just as it does on a cut flower, and a new cut will be necessary.

5. Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets and other sources of heat. Turn off the tree lights when you leave and before you retire at night.

6. Avoid the use of combustible decorations. Check all electric lights and connections. Do not use lights with worn or frayed cords and N-E-V-E-R use lighted candles on a Christmas tree.

Following these care and precaution measures should ensure an attractive tree that stays fresh indoors for two to three weeks. Please also refer to the section on holiday safety tips.

The History of Christmas Trees

Evergreens have been associated with seasonal celebrations since ancient times. Seasonal celebrations occur at the time of winter solstice. Evergreens have been used as symbols by various nationalities and/or religious groups, including: Egyptians, Romans, Druids, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Spaniards and Slovaks. Yule log traditions contributed to superstitions, as well as the traditions of gift giving and decorating the log or tree.

The History of Christmas Trees, Part Two

14th century "Miracle Plays" held annually on December 24th required stage props of apple trees. In colder climates this led to the use of decorated evergreens. The traditional red and green seasonal colours developed from these plays and stage props. Over time, foods were added as decorations on the trees. Gradually, metal ornaments replaced some of the edible decoration.

The History of Christmas Trees, Part Three

First use of evergreen as a Christmas tree in Canada occurred in Sorel, Quebec in 1781.

Next recorded use was in Halifax in 1846. After that, use spread quickly.

Customs varied in different areas of the country.

Present day celebrations have borrowed customs from many lands, but the tradition of the Christmas tree is practiced by people from all over the world.

Choosing the Christmas tree has become a tradition as significant as decorating the tree.

The First Christmas Tree in Canada

The first Christmas tree in Canada was set up in Sorel, Quebec in 1781 by Baron Friederick von Riedesel. The baron, who was born in Germany, selected a handsome balsam fir from the forests that surrounded his home and decorated it with white candles. The next recorded use of a Christmas tree appears in Halifax in 1846, when William Pryor, a local merchant, cut down an evergreen and decorated it with glass ornaments imported from Germany to please his German wife. After that, the custom spread quickly as German and British pioneers settled throughout the growing nation.

Christmas in the Provinces

Christmas in Canada, in the 19th Century, was often a rough and ready affair: In Newfoundland, a new twist had been added to the custom of bringing in a huge Yule Log that would burn for the twelve days of Christmas; the Newfoundlanders threw a piece of the flaming log over the roof of their homes in the belief that this would protect the inhabitants from fire during the coming year. In Quebec, children hung stockings beside the tree on Christmas eve in the belief that they would be filled by the Christ child; until well into this century, French-Canadian children waited until New Year's Day to receive the rest of their presents. In Ontario, Christmas was observed in the manner of Victorian England. Carol singers roamed from house to house, brilliantly coloured Christmas cards were exchanged, and banquet tables were laden with roast beef, plum pudding, and boar's head. In 1882, the Toronto newspaper, The Globe, reported that nearly a million Christmas gifts had been sold that year in the city. In the newly settled Prairie provinces, Christmas dinner was like nothing ever seen in Europe. Fish browned in buffalo marrow, boiled buffalo hump, beaver tail and buffalo veal were just as likely to be the centrepieces of a Christmas feast as roast turkey. After supper, young people would put on their "steels" to go skating on a pond or nearby frozen river. In British Columbia, in the week before Christmas, loggers came down from the mountains, where they had worked for months cutting down the gigantic Douglas firs, to settlements along the coast where they would gather to celebrate the holiday.

Getting a REAL Christmas Tree

The seasonal tradition that is celebrated in Canada today has borrowed many customs from many lands, but families who have come from all over the world have adopted the Christmas tree as the symbol and centrepiece of the festive season. As much as decorating the tree, choosing the tree has become a tradition of its own. Bundled in boots and winter coats, families walk through the snow to Christmas tree lots in the city or drive to farms in the country in search of the right tree. On some choose-and-cut farms, the growers may welcome the family with hot chocolate, a bonfire or a wagon ride through fields covered with beautifully shaped trees. Making the right choice is never easy especially when it comes to Christmas trees. Discussions on the matter are always very lively. Is the tree big enough or will it fit in the house? Is it full on every side? Is a pine tree with its long soft needles more beautiful than a spruce or fir with their stiff, short needles? Decisions are hard but sooner or later everyone agrees on the perfect tree.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Decorating the tree is an especially important job that is shared by everyone in the family. These days glittering glass ornaments, electric lights, and shining tinsel have replaced the gilded fruits, pine cones, sweets, apples and candles that were once used as decorations. But the ceremony itself has changed little over the centuries. Glittering with colour and light and topped with a star or radiant angel, the Christmas tree, green and lush in the winter, is a symbol that life is eternal, while the presents below it are reminders of the love, joy and close ties that are shared by families and friends.

O Tannenbaum

The German folk song, "O Tannenbaum" says: Not only in summer's glow, But 'mid the winter's frost and snow O faithful pine, O faithful pine, You're true and green forever. As it has for centuries, the evergreen still symbolizes belief in renewed life and the hope and faith that dwell in all the world's peoples regardless of race or creed. It is a symbol of joy and delight to all.

Real Tree Facts

Why should I choose a REAL Christmas tree?

There is nothing like a natural Christmas tree to enjoy at Christmas time. The look, the scent and the very feel of a REAL tree are integral parts of the warm, homey atmosphere of our most festive season. Choosing the perfect tree is a cherished tradition in many families. Whether you visit a retail lot or join the tens of thousands who treasure their annual visit to a choose-and-cut farm, you will enjoy knowing that your natural Christmas tree is great for the environment and provides employment for thousands of Canadians!

Am I harming the forest by choosing a real tree?

Definitely not! Christmas trees do not come from the forest! Almost everywhere in North America and for sure in Ontario, Christmas trees are grown as a crop on tree farms. For every tree harvested, there are ten more coming along, otherwise the farmer could not harvest each year.

Is tree farming harmful to our environment?

NO! Christmas trees are, except for cultivated forests, the most environmentally friendly crop around. This is because a tree is harvested only after ten years. To ensure future harvests, ninety percent of the farm must remain in trees all the time.

How are real Christmas trees beneficial to our environment?

Christmas trees produce oxygen and protect wildlife CO2 is taken out of the atmosphere, counteracting the human use of fossil fuels. Trees also act as air pollution filters and can remove up to 13 tons of airborne pollutants per acre per year. Christmas tree farms are havens for a wide variety of bird and mammal species including grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, foxes, coyotes, mice, voles, and squirrels. The "edge effect" created by a stand of Christmas trees next to a woodlot or an open field is known to increase wildlife species diversity.

Will my Christmas tree cause problems at the landfill site after Christmas?

No. Most municipalities collect discarded natural Christmas trees and chip them for use as mulching materials. Real Christmas trees are completely biodegradable and will, on their own, break down and return their stored nutrients to the soil from which they came. There are also other ways in which REAL Christmas trees go right on giving long after the Christmas season is over. They can be used as bird feeders, wood products can be made from their stems or they can be used as wildlife cover in fish ponds and woodlots alike.

Where does the tradition of evergreens at Christmas originate?

Legends tell of the decorated tree used in winter celebrations long before the advent of Christianity. Plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people during winter. Just as people today decorate their homes at Christmas with pine, spruce and fir trees, ancient people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries people believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness. Egyptians brought green palm branches into their homes in late December as a symbol of growing things. Romans trimmed evergreen trees with trinkets and topped them with an image of their sun god to celebrate Saturnalia. Druid sorcerers hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice. In the middle ages, the feast of Adam and Eve was held on December 24. Its symbol was the Paradise Tree, a fir tree hung with red apples. It is generally agreed, however, that the use of an evergreen tree as part of the Christian Christmas celebration started 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most of northern Europe by the l9th century. Canada was first introduced to the Christmas tree in 1781 in Sorel, Quebec, by a German immigrant, Baron Friederick von Riedesel. The Baron's tree was a balsam fir cut from the dense forest of Quebec and was decorated with myriads of white candles. The Christmas tradition that is celebrated in Canada today has borrowed many customs from many lands, but families who have come from all over the world have all adopted the Christmas tree as the symbol and centrepiece of the festive season. As it has for centuries, the evergreen still symbolizes our belief in renewed life and the hope and faith that lives in all mankind, regardless of race or creed.