Your
YARD AND GARDEN

Along with the usual holiday admonitions to shop early and mail early, it's a good idea to buy your Christmas tree early, too. In fact, you really can't buy it too early in most cases.

I personally think there is nothing as exciting as a fresh Christmas tree, whether it's a white pine, scotch pine, spruce or the sumptuous Frasier firs. The smell, shape, and beauty can't be matched by artificial ones.

Some people are concerned about the cutting of trees and that effect on the environment. Most trees are grown on marginal land that may have a steep slope and be quite rocky. The trees provide erosion control as well as income off that land.

Most fresh Christmas trees are harvested weeks before they appear locally. Tree harvest may begin in September with trees held in high humidity coolers until they're shipped.

The earlier you buy your tree, the fresher it is likely to be. Most Christmas tree outlets don't get more than the initial shipment in. And those that get several probably aren't getting fresher trees, but trees that have just been stored longer.

You can also maintain the freshness by keeping your tree in water, something retailers can't do, even if you don't set it up indoors.

Choosing the right tree involves more than finding the prettiest one on the lot. Before you go shopping for a tree, decide where you're going to display it. Measure the height of the room and subtract a couple feet for the tree topper and stand.

Trees always look smaller outdoors then they do indoors.

Your top priority is deciding on the type of tree. Pines generally retain their needles longer than firs, which keep their needles longer than spruces. However, spruces and firs usually have stronger branches and a denser growth, allowing for a better display of lights and ornaments.

Once you've decided what kind of tree you want, start looking over the selection. Buy the tree in an open space with good lighting, preferably during the day so you can really gauge the color. Colors look different at night, or with a yellow light bulb shining on them.

There is no sure way to determine freshness, although very dry trees are not too hard to recognize. A common mistake is to confuse frozen needles with those that are truly dry.

A fresh tree usually will have pliable needles, unless the temperatures are well below freezing, have good needle retention when you bounce the butt end on the ground lightly a couple of times, smell like fresh evergreen when you stick your face in the tree, and feel sticky on the cut end.

Color is a tough call. Some trees, particularly the pines, turn yellow in the fall and are sprayed. However, needles should still bend and the tree should have a fresh pine scent.

Generally it's not important to have a perfect tree. Usually one side is shoved against a wall or in a corner. You might be able to bargain for a less than perfect tree.

As soon as you get the tree home, cut an inch or two off the butt end. Some lots will do this for you, but if you have any distance to travel, the end will probably seal by the time you get home.

Set the tree in a five gallon bucket of warm water. This allows the tree to start sucking up the water. Keep the tree in water and store it in a cool place, such as a garage, until you're ready to set it up indoors.

David Robson is an Extension Educator, Horticulture, at the Springfield Extension Center, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois. You can write to Robson in care of Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. Telephone: (217) 782-6515. E-Mail: robsond@idea.ag.uiuc.edu

16 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING DECEMBER 1997