There are many reasons to choose a real Christmas tree, and here is just a few of them, plus a few tips on keeping your tree in tip top shape all season long!
REAL TREES HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
Purchasing a real Christmas tree from a choose & cut farm in eastern North Carolina is a choice to help the environment in a multitude of ways as well as the local and state economy.
- Your real tree cleans our air, collecting the carbon dioxide and providing fresh oxygen, versus the artificial tree, which is made from petroleum products and have no environmental value.
- Every tree that is cut is replaced. Across the nation millions of trees will be replaced each year, and will continue to help keep our air, our water, and our land clean.
- Real trees are recyclable and have lots of uses after the Christmas season. Uses range from being mulched up and used in various applications, providing floating boons in our waterways and protectors of soil erosion and pollution in our fields and on beaches and riverbanks. Some are sunk into lakes and large ponds and become habitats and feeding grounds for fish and other creatures!
#1 Water, water and more water
Now that your special tree has been selected, it needs to be cared for in a manner similar to a fresh bouquet of flowers. It should be placed in water immediately.
#2 Making a fresh cut
If for some reason the tree is not placed in water for more than twelve hours after it is harvested in the field, a fresh cut should be made by removing 1/2 inch from the base of the trunk before placing the tree in a stand.
#3 Gallons and pints and more water, oh my!
The stand should be kept full of water throughout the season. A Christmas tree may take up to a gallon of water the first 24 hours and several pints each day thereafter.
#4 Special preservatives and other nonsense
Keeping the tree in water is the most important part of Christmas tree care. Special preservatives such as: commercial products, sugar, aspirin, or cola are not required to preserve freshness and may even cause harm to your tree. All that is needed is plain, clean tap water in sufficient quantity to keep the base of the tree trunk covered at all times.
#5 Keepin' it cool
Christmas trees should be placed in cool areas away from drafts and potential sources of warm air. Trees should not be placed near fireplaces, heaters, furnace vents or television sets.
#6 Fire should stay in the fireplace
Christmas trees do not cause fires, but they should be handled to prevent being placed near sources of ignition. Light cords and connections used on the tree or in other holiday decorations must be in good working order to ensure a safe and joyous holiday season. Lights should always be unplugged when leaving home or going to bed.
#7 Pests on Christmas Trees
Insect pests, primarily known as aphids, may occur on your Christmas tree just as they may occur on house plants when you bring them inside. The good thing is that it is a rare occurrence and may occur on only one in 100,000 trees. Fortunately, these pests do not bite or cause disease; they are just a nuisance.
Do’s and Don’t’s to eliminate or a least minimize the occurrence of the aphid pests:
- DO: have the choose & cut farm shake your tree to remove pests, pollen, dust, and dead needles. You may hose down your tree to wash it when at home to remove any other pests or debris.
- DO: simply vacuum up the pests and empty the vacuum outside.
- DO: treat with an in home, safe insecticide if necessary, in the form of an aerosol.
- DON’T: give up on having your real tree; infestations are very rare.
- DON’T: try to mash or kill the pests because they may leave a stain on carpets or furniture.
