Choosing a Christmas tree

[NOV. 27, 2000]  For many families, the Christmas tree is the main symbol of the holidays. Some have gone to the artificial trees for convenience, allergies or other reasons, but many still prefer to get "the real thing" for their symbol. Here are some helpful hints to make your purchase and then keep your tree safely through the holiday season.

Freshness is the key to having an enduring symbol of the holidays. Freshness is directly related to the moisture content in the needles. Once the tree is cut, its life functions quit. If placed in water, however, it will continue to function much like a wick as it absorbs moisture through the stem. If adequate water is not available for the tree, the moisture content of the needles (moisture is lost by transpiration in your house) drops by about 35 to 50 percent. Trees that drop below 85 percent moisture will not regain their freshness.

When identifying a fresh tree, one obvious way is to cut your own (or observe it being cut). Many families make a ritual out of selecting their own tree, and you know that it is fresh that way. If you buy from a "lot," you need to buy from a reliable dealer that can give information on how long the trees have been cut. You then need to determine freshness for yourself.

 

Fresh trees have needles that are that are relatively supple and firmly attached to the twigs. All trees will have brown needles that will fall, but the green ones are the ones that count! If the green needles tend to snap when bent between your fingers, the tree is probably quite dry. If temperatures are low (around zero), then all needles will snap since they are brittle. Fresh trees will have a fragrance to them. They also will have a waxy, natural green appearance, but some trees are sprayed with a needle colorant to make them more green.

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When caring for your freshly cut tree, start with trying to avoid hauling the tree over a long distance where it will be exposed to the wind. Air moving across the needles is what actually dries them out. If you purchase your tree from a sales lot, buying the tree early will help ensure better freshness and selection. You can then take the tree home and give it the proper attention.

Once you get the tree home, you should make a fresh cut on the trunk of the tree, place it immediately in water and store it in a cool place (like your garage). Avoid putting the tree on the ground, since it could freeze in place and be difficult to move. The cut you make at home is important. You should make a straight cut to make it easier on you, and the tree will take up just as much water as if you made an angled cut.

 

Water is then the rule! Make sure your stand will hold enough water for your tree. A fresh tree may use up to two quarts of water the first 24 hours and up to a quart a day for the first week. You also have to have the water level above the cut surface of the trunk to keep your tree fresh.

When you locate your tree, make sure it is not by a fireplace, furnace outlet or other heat source, as they will dry it out. Closing a heat register in the area of your tree will help keep warm drafts from drying out one side of the tree.

A properly cared for tree that was fresh to start with can safely be displayed in the home for at least two weeks. The tree is actually your best indicator. If needles start dropping and water use stops, there could be problems developing.

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy your holiday season.

[John Fulton]


Announcements

Steffens exhibits winner in sheep show
[NOV. 18, 2000]  Aaron Steffens of rural Lincoln exhibited the Junior Champion Ewe in the National Open Hampshire Show of the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., on Wednesday Nov. 15. Earlier in the week, his lamb had also won the February Ewe Lamb Class in the National Junior Hampshire Show.


Hartem team places fifth in national FFA competition

[NOV. 2, 2000]  The Hartem FFA Ag Issues team placed fifth out of 27 teams at the recent National FFA Convention competition. The team members — Kate Wrage, Matt Duckworth, Sarah Struebing, Nick Reinhart, Anthony Jones, Nic Coers and Natalie Coers — presented a forum on genetically modified organisms. The team advanced through the preliminaries and into the semifinal rounds. By going this far, the team ranked as a National Silver Emblem winner.

While at the convention, the team, along with Hartem FFA members Daniel Eeten and Brittney Kavanaugh, heard keynote speaker Debra Norville and witnessed the naming of the American Star Farmer and American Star in Agribusiness, besides taking time to tour the Agriculture Career Show.


[Left to right: Nick Reinhart, Natalie Coers, Anthony Jones
Kate Wrage, Sarah Struebing, Matt Duckworth and Nic Coers]

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