Oh Christmas Tree!

I know, I know, it’s a bit early, even for me, to be talking about Christmas trees. My kids will tell you that it is a sure sign I’m slipping if I even CONSIDER a Christmas tree, decoration or gift buying before the second week of December! However, I know many people buy their trees shortly after Thanksgiving so I thought I should bite the bullet and hope this blog will be seen before people buy their Christmas trees.

Now, some people swear by a real cut Christmas tree (namely me!) and some swear by an artificial tree. Both sides have valid reasons and I am not here to change your mind, just educate it a bit!  There are exceptions, such as allergies, that make it difficult to have the real thing.

Many of the arguments about purchasing a cut Christmas tree is the argument that you are “killing” trees & destroying the environment, they use too much water to grow & they are a hazard because they dry out too quickly. Well, let me give you a few insights to these arguments. Yes, they are technically killing the tree. However, this tree was specifically grown to be cut down. It is considered a commodity and provides a living to the tree farmers and their employees. (Many of the Christmas tree growers in the United States belong to a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable practices and environmental consciousness.)  The tree’s life cycle is beneficial in a several ways. It helps provide oxygen as well as erosion controls for tree farms that utilize otherwise un-farmable land such as steep hillsides and under power lines. They also provide shelter and sustenance to wildlife.  At the end of their holiday use, they can be turned into mulch by the local communities or used to provide habitats for aquatic life by being submerged in lakes and ponds. This is just a brief overview of the life cycle of the cut Christmas tree.  If you are conscientious about where and from whom you purchase your tree from you will feel better about purchasing that “real” tree!

Proper care of the cut tree once you bring it home goes a long way towards keeping it green and beautiful looking. It is important to remove about a 2-3 inch length of the trunk prior to placing in water. This ensures better liquid uptake. Try not to bruise the trunk or getting the cut dirty. Water should be given daily, sometimes even twice a day if tree stand well is shallow. Spraying the tree with an anti-transpirant (a compound that inhibits the loss of moisture through the leaves without compromising the exchange of oxygen & carbon dioxide) prior to bringing inside can also help keep it green longer. The anti –transpirant is a good idea on any fresh cut greenery you may place in your home. Spray it after submerging the greens in water to fully hydrate them. If you are putting the cut greens in a vase, add some glycerin to the water to help keep the needles soft and green.

The trees you purchase as “live” (still have their roots and are in a container) are another good way to help the environment. They provide many of the same benefits as noted above, but they also provide year round beauty in your yard! These should be thoroughly watered prior to bringing in the house. Over the next weeks you need to check the top 2-3 inches regularly to determine if they need additional water.  Remember to place a catch basin under the tree for the water.  Also make sure any containerized tree you may purchase has drainage holes in the container. If you overwater it, it won’t be sitting in standing water, lethal to many plants.

Now, on to artificial trees! They can be beautiful, allergy free, easy to set up, relatively mess free, you pay once and you’re done, a wise investment many say. However, they are often made of PVC and metal. Sounds fairly harmless, right? Many of those that are manufactured outside of the US contain lead. They must have a label noting that they may contain lead.  As these trees age, they expose the household to lead as well as other carcinogens. The older the tree, the greater the exposure can be. Now, I’m not trying to scare you away from artificial trees. There are gorgeous and safe ones out there. I just want to point out some things you might want to check for prior to purchasing one, or check your existing one for country & date of manufacture to determine whether it is safe or you are due for a new one.

So whether you purchase an artificial tree or a live cut tree is up to you. I hope I’ve provided food for thought and information for whichever you decide. Whichever you decide, enjoy! This is a happy season!

To Leave or not leave?

Many people think that removing all the debris in their plant beds is a necessity. Not so! It is more of an aesthetic choice than a beneficial one. Now, I'm not saying don't remove the weeds. They should be to prevent them taking over (unless you like them!) I am saying that removing leaves and grass clippings can cause more weeds, erode your soil and deplete soil nutrients faster by exposure to sun and wind. It will also speed up moisture loss by your soil when exposed like this. If you allow leaves and grass clippings to stay in place they will decompose and add nutrients to the soil, help slow water loss and deter many of the weeds that thrive in the sun. I'm not saying this is foolproof, just that it is an organic way to keep your garden healthy and less dependent on chemicals.

Visually, leaves that have turned fall colors can add impact to a landscape that at this time of year might otherwise be a bit drab. You don't have to leave them in large pieces. Rake them up, place them in a clean empty trash can then insert your weed eater and turn it on.This will coarsely chop them and then they can be used as a top cover in your planter beds. Yes, its a little more work, but the outcome is beautiful and beneficial! In spring you mulch them into the soil and let them add nutrients to the soil.