Choosing a Christmas Tree How to IdentiJY and Carefor the One You Want he Christmas season seems to begin earlier each year. Trees Tdecorate department stores before Halloween-even earlier in some retail establishments. Though we may think we are seeing them too early, we still look forward to our own Christmas tree whether we bring out treasured ornaments or style it differently each year. Below are listed some of the most popular trees grown in the United States as determined by the National Christmas Tree Association. Our brief "tree key" should make it easier for you to search for the tree you want. Be sure to check on a certain tree's availability in your area, however, as all those listed below are not avail­ able in every location. Spruce Upright, pyramidal, single-trunked trees. Stiff in appearance with hori­ zontal branches produced in whorls. May be used as a specimen tree but is sometimes difficult to establish in the landscape. Loses its branches when planted too close together or densely shaded. Not the best orna­ mental tree because it is often rag­ Picea abies (excelsea), Norway spruce Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar ged when mature. Diseases: Cyto­ sperma canker, rust. Propagation: mass produced along the northeast­ aesthetically pleasing in mass plant­ hardwood cuttings or seed. ern seaboard (Wisconsin and Minne­ ings. There are many variations in Picea abies, Norway spruce. sota to the Mason Dixon line) and in this group that are good for hedging May grow to 150 feet. Branches the Northwest. Prefers cool weather. if pruned correctly. They are best in droop; shiny, dark green needles are hot, dry, sunny locations and do es­ grouped in four, angled and to % Cedar pecially well under urban growing inches long; cones grow to seven Cedars are popular for the use of conditions. They grow in either acid inches long. Native to Europe, but is their wood and their ability to look or alkaline soil but prefer a soil that isn't too acidic. Diseases: twig blight, Cedar-apple rust, Cedar hawthorn rust, and Cedar-quince rust. Propaga­ tion: seed or hardwood cuttings. Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar. May grow to 75 feet with scale-like, strongly overlapping leaves. Grows very slowly, and pre­ fers lime regions and poor, dry soil. Native to the northeastern United States, and is mass produced along the eastern seaboard. Does not do well in the extreme northwestern re­ gions of the United States. The wood is very durable and fragrant. Pines These evergreens are among the most important in the United States for lumber. They grow widely in the northern temperate regions of the world and are represented well in America. Most pines can grow in good to very poor soils, from the seashore to the highest timberline. They are divided into three groups depending on the number of needles per sheath (bundle). Prune in late spring or early summer when new shoots are half grown. It is important to leave a dormant bud below the cut or otherwise no other shoots will Abies procera, Noble fir Pinus strobus, Eastern white pine develop. Diseases: White Pine blister rust. Propagation: seed, grafting. Grows well in mOist, sandy soiL four-inch-long leaves in fascicles of Pinus strobus, Eastern white Heavily cultivated and seldom found three. Cones are seven inches long pine. Grows to 120 feet. Soft, bluish­ in the wild. Heavily produced along and conic-ovoid to seven inches green needles are five inches long the eastern seaboard and parts of long. Many planted worldwide, espe­ and in groups of five. Cylindrical Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan. cially for timber in the Mediterra­ cones are up to six inches long. Lends itself beautifully to shearing. nean climates. This tree is commer­ Has a soft appearance. cially grown on the West Coast in the Pinus virginiana, Virginia fogbelt areas of San Francisco and pine, Jersey pine, scrub pine, San Diego inward. Prefers a sandy, spruce pine, poverty pine. Grows loamy soiL American to 50 feet with needles in fascicles of two, three inches long, stiff and Fir Horticulturist slightly twisted. Cones are 2V2 inches Stately trees with wide trunks and long and conic-ovoid. Thrives in bar­ horizontal branches. They prefer VOLUME 66 NUMBER 11 ren soil along the eastern part of the high altitudes such as those of the United States. Very sweet-smelling mountains on the West Coast. They PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR, EDITOR, Virginia W. l.ouisel!. ART DIRECTOR, Rebecca K. McCli mans. ASSOCIATE gum. produce a soft wood and prefer a EDITOR, Brian C. l.inle. ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR, Pinus sylvestris, Scotch pine. Ma rtha Pa lermo. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, Sall ie cool, moist climate. This tree almost Hutcheson. ADVERTISING: AmeriCJ Il Honicultural Society Grows to 100 feet or more with stiff, refuses to grow in a hot, dry, Adve rrisi ng Depanment. 80 South Early Street, Al exandria, Virginia 22304. Phone (703) 823·6966 twisted, bluish-green three inch-long drought-stricken area. Pruning is dif­ Addrei'.<; all editorial correspondence to: The Editor, needles in fascicles of two. Cones are ficult because of its habit not to American Horticulturist, American Horticultural 2V2 Society, Box 0105, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. inches long and conic-oblong. shoot new growth in the same area. AME RI CAN HORTICULTURIST, ISSN 0096-44 17, is published Important timber tree in Europe; Topping disrupts its stiff pyramid month I" bv the Am erica n Honicuhural Society, 7931 Ea<; t Bo ul ev~ rd ' Drive, Alexandria, Vi rginia 22308, 703-768-5700. produced heavily throughout Canada form. Fir cones are always erect. Dis­ National membership dues are $25; foreign dues are $35. $12 and the eastern seaboard, predomi­ eases: needle cast, needle rust. Prop­ of dues are deSignated for AMERlCA'l HORTICULTURl ST. Copyrighl © 1981 by the American Horticulruml Soc iety. The nately in the north. Prefers cold agation: seeds, grafting, hardwood AmeriC'dn Honicultural Socie~' is a non-profit organizat iOn. weather and sandy soil with good cuttings. Comrihu{ions are deductible for income tax purposes. S~co nd -c1as. ... postage paid 3( Alexandria, Virginia and at moisture content. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Doug­ additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form las fir. Grows to 300 feet with dark, 3579 to AMERlCAN HORTICULTU RI ST, Box 0105, Mount Pinus radiata, Monterey pine. Vernon. Virginia 22121. Grows to 75 feet with bright green bluish-green needles one to 1% 2 • NOVEMBER 1987 Tips on Tree Care Almost any freshly cut Christmas tree water for three days. Plan to bring will last 30 days or more if it is cut your tree into the house two or off one to two inches from the base. three days before you leave for the David Baumann, associate executive holiday, however, for the first day it director of the National Christmas is indoors it may drink up most of Tree Association, says, "To determine the water. On the second or third a Christmas tree's freshness, grab the day, refill, and then you can leave the I tree midway down the trunk and tap tree for three days. I it on the ground three or four times If you are planning to buy a balled I to see if a number of needles fall off. tree, please take your "tree key" with Then, place your hand six to eight you when you shop. Remember that I A TRULY inches from the tip of the branch in there are cultivars of the trees we I DRAMATIC EXPERIENCE toward the tree trunk and pull. If have mentioned which mature at dif- I FOR YOUR PLANTS-LIQUID more than five to ten percent of the ferent heights and have different I CONCENTRATE, GUARANTEED RESULTS needles drop, ask the owner when forms. I JUNGLE JUICE (2-5-4) for fantastic foliage the tree was cut. When a tree is cut it According to Baumann, you should I growth and super green. will begin to callus over at the base display a balled tree for only one I GRANNY'S BLOOMERS (0-6-5) ZERO nitrogen after a few days to maintain its mOis- week in your home. The soil must and special trace for abundant african violet blooms, you won 't believe your eyes. ture content. This is why it is impor- stay moist at all times during this pe- I I CACTUS JUICE (1-7-6) For outstanding tant to recut the surface to encourage riod. A cloth skirt will help minimize specimens and helps promote flowering. moisture uptake." evaporation. Also, be sure to place I FLOWER CRACKER (1-6-5) For Impatiens, Baumann says that tap water is the one or two layers of cloth under the I Orchids, Bromeliads, Geraniums, all flowering best liqUid to keep the tree fresh. If container in case it leaks. Prepare the I plants . you are planning to spend Christmas hole as early as possible and cover it I 6oz. bottle makes 12 gals. capful measure. away from home but still want to with leaves so that the ground does I $3.85 ppd. Any 4·6oz. bUs., $11.85 ppd. have a freshly cut Christmas tree in not freeze before you plant. Finally, Free catalog write your house, Baumann's advice is to consult your local nurseryman for di- use a one- to two-gallon reservoir rections on planting your tree. Dept AHS n Clarel Deerfield, IL 60015 ..L aboratOries Inc container. This supplies the tree with compiled by -Brian C Little NOW •. BYMAILt inches long. Branches are rarely gla- Northeast and in areas of Michigan, UNUSUAL, HARD­ brous. Cones are 41/2 inches long.