November 25, 2013
Selecting the right tree for the holidays
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Try something different. It used to be that we only had spruce and pine Christmas trees to choose from. Today, there are over a dozen varieties to select from including fir and balsam. Also consider the growing trend of buying a living, potted tree,and planting it in your landscape after the holidays. |  |
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Real versus life-like. It's always a personal choice, but remember, you are not killing a tree when you use a freshly-cut tree, it's just another farm crop that’s been harvested. Tree farms are beneficial for the environment and are constantly being replanted. | |
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Eleven days (or thereabouts) should be the minimum you can expect to keep a cut tree in your house by following simple steps. Buy from a reliable source, buy a good stand with a large water reservoir, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk before setting your tree up, keep a constant supply of water in the tree stand and add a tree preservative to the water. | |
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Evergreen for the birds. After the holidays, place the cut tree in the garden and support it by bracing it to a fence or deck. This provides a wonderful haven for birds during the winter. Complete the scene with bird feeder and spotlight. | |
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Style. Choose a colour theme for tree decorations that match your existing interior style. Many garden centres have vignettes displayed to help you make the right choice. |