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Getting the Most for Your Christmas Tree Dollar by Gary Foreman
"Hey Junior. Remember the year that we had a Christmas tree
that was so big it hardly fit into the living room?" John talked
as he measured the space in front of the living room window.
This year the Smiths would only buy a enough tree to decorate
their home. It wouldn't be like the year where they 'trimmed'
off a quarter of the tree they had bought.
"OK, I think I got what we need. Is Mom and your sister
ready?" Soon after John and Mary piled into the family minivan
with the Smith children in search of the perfect Christmas tree.
There were a number of lots in their area and knowing Dad, he
would want to visit most at least once.
Like a boy scout leader readying his troops, John announced
the battle plan. "I figure we need a tree that's about 7 feet
high and about 3 feet in diameter. If we're going to use all
those ornaments that Grandma sent us we'll need to find a tree
that's not too full."
"Dad, we should look at Frazier firs then. I read that
their limbs are strong so that they hold ornaments well." John
was happily surprised that his daughter was getting into the
family tradition. "We'll see sweetheart. Frazier's sure smell
good and hold their needles, but sometimes they're kinda
expensive."
Mary joined the discussion. "Look gang, I've checked our
finances and we probably should try to stay on the less expensive
side. I don't want to be paying off our Christmas tree next
April!"
"Then that means we should consider a pine tree. They're
cheaper. Those long needles look Christmas cool, too!" Junior
was at that age where it was important for the family to know
that he had valid opinions.
They fanned out as they searched the first tree lot. John
lifts a couple of trees and drops them from a height of about six
inches. "Just seeing how many needles fall off. The more that
fall the drier the tree is." Mary, too, knows the tricks to
finding a fresh tree. She bends some needles to see if they
break. A fresh needle from a fir or spruce tree will break like a
piece of celery. Only very dry pine needles will break. Mary also
grasps a branch and pulls toward her. She notices whether the
needles spring back to their original position.
After a few lots the Smiths select a tree. The lot
attendant offers to put a 'fresh cut' on the tree trunk. John
turns him down. Junior asks why. "I just want to do it right
before we put the tree in the stand. You do want to cut the
trunk, but you need to get that cut into water as soon as
possible."
When they get home the Smiths are careful to store the tree
in a cool shaded area. John cuts the trunk on a diagonal and puts
it in a bucket. Occasionally one of the family will even 'mist'
the tree to help keep it fresh.
The big moment arrives. "Dad, why is the tree stand so
big?" John explains that a stand is like a glass of water for the
tree. A minimum of one gallon is needed to satisfy the thirst of
an average home tree. "Junior, you'll be responsible for making
sure that the tree stand never goes dry. That means checking it
every day. If the stand's empty the tree will put out pitch to
cover the cut. Then even if more water is added to the stand,
the tree can't drink. The only way to solve it is to put a new
cut on the bottom of the tree. And with it all decorated, I
don't even want to think about that!"
The Smiths are careful that the tree is well supported and
away from heat sources. They always remember to turn off tree
lights when no one is home.
"Hey Hon, every year we wonder what we should add to the
water in the stand. Did you have time to try to find out what's
best?" Mary listened to John's question as she entered the room
with a big bowl of popcorn. "You know what's the best thing to
add to the water? More water! I found that a researcher at
Washington State University found that plain old tap water is the
best thing to give your tree."
"I found some other interesting stuff, too. Did you know
that in ancient Egypt people would bring a green palm branch into
their homes during winter to symbolize life. They did that long
before Christmas was celebrated. In fact, there's no reference
to a Christmas tree until the 1500's. In Europe older women
would cut down trees and sell them in the city. Those were the
first Christmas tree lots!"
Junior turned off the room lights. The Smiths gathered in
the living room and enjoyed the twinkle of the tree lights.
Grandma's ornaments brought back childhood memories for Mary.
And in the background a song could be heard, "It's the most
wonderful time of the year..."
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