Taking Time To Stop, Smell The Needles

In our fast-paced lives, there is a tradition we cannot hurry - the choosing of the perfect Christmas tree.

Since so many plantation-grown trees are sheared to perfection, you would think this adventure would be a snap. But the shape isn’t the only consideration. There is the height and width, the variety, the choice of pre-cut or cut-your-own, deciding whether to thin the branches, the style of decorating and proper care so it will last through the holidays.

Height and width: Logic would dictate a room with an eight-foot ceiling should comfortably accommodate a seven-foot tree. But before purchasing this seven-foot beauty, consider the potential changes. First, the tree will be somewhat taller, depending on the height of the stand and the National Geographics put under it for balance. Also, the angel, star or other top ornament needs its space. Then there are the reductions. Part of the top will need to be snipped to fit your angel. The trunk may need to be cut, or whittled, to fit the stand.

And … if the trunk doesn’t reach the bottom of the stand, lower branches may have to be removed. This removal may distort the shape and width of the tree. Depending on where the next set of lower branches begin, the removal of the bottom branches may give the tree the appearance of a limbed pine. In order to bring the new set of bottom branches back down to the floor, more of the trunk may have to be subtracted. All this necessary whittling and hacking may reduce your seven-foot tree to a four-foot shrub.

While these considerations complicate the choosing (sometimes even causing an argument or two), it’s all part of the fun.

Varieties: Because more than 90 percent of our Christmas trees are grown on plantations, we can choose from a number of varieties. Firs are the traditional trees, with their soft needles and wonderful fragrance. But which fir? Concolor, balsam, noble, grand or Douglas (not a true fir) - take your choice. The only drawback with the firs is their weak branches. Weighty ornaments have a tendency to cause the branches to droop.

The stiff-branched trees are the spruce. They, too, come in many varieties. You may even pick a color - blue or green. They drop their needles easily, so they’re best cut fresh. Ornaments don’t seem to weigh down the branches, that is, if you can get the ornaments on the branches. The needles are as sharp as needles.

Pines offer a more bushy look with their whorls of needles. Scotch, Austrian or ponderosa are beautiful when flocked.

Pre-cut or cut-your-own: Certainly the easiest and quickest method of shopping is to go to your corner tree lot. With proper care, these trees should last a good two weeks, perhaps three. But if you decorate early and want your tree up for several weeks, I’d advise cutting your own from a local plantation. We’ve done this the last several years and each year our tree has been quite fresh after four or five weeks. We’ve also found the cutting experience great fun (if you dress warmly).

Thinning: Today’s plantation-grown trees tend to be quite thick. For ornaments to hang gracefully, a little thinning may be in order. Study your tree. Don’t hesitate cutting out branches here and there. I’ve gone so far as to eliminate a third of the tree.

Care: The first thing to do when you arrive home is to cut 1/2 to 1-inch off the bottom of the tree and place it in a bucket of water. This should be done even if you’ve cut your own, as the wound seals very quickly. If you’re not putting the tree up right away, keep it in a bucket of water in a cool place. Fill the bucket and/or tree stand at least daily with warm water. Be diligent about this, especially early on, as the tree can drink up to five gallons in a week.

There it is, the perfect Christmas tree. Was it worth all the hassles? You bet. It’s tradition.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review