H-1048 111111[I~illllllliliII~1 nl!ll~n~i~lrlllllllll 30109 00630 7543 The Selection and Protection of Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees George Maher Ronald C. Smith Agricultural Engineer Horticulturist ) iLt!..\.3 Nq ~\~. ic~B .._ .... 1111111111111111111111111I111111111111111111 illlllllllllllllill i 111111111: 111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111 ! 1111111111111 111111111111111111 ! 1111 111111 i 11111 ! 11111111111111111111111111 ! I NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE NOVEMBER 1992 North Dakota State University, Fargo, NO 58105 The use of fresh-cut ever­ green trees for the Christmas holidays brings both a pleasure and uniqueness that no artificial tree could ever match. Fresh I trees can be obtained from Single, soft, dense. blunt needles local nurseries, fund raising (typical of firs) organizations, general retail 1 outlets or right off the tree farm 5-needle cluster 2-needie cluster (typical of white pine) (typical of Scotch and red pine) itself. When seeking cut trees for use in homes or other interior settings, there are some guide­ lines that should be considered The fir trees will have an Tree freshness and form by the purchaser to get the earlier needle drop than the will be greatly enhanced if the best buy for the money. pines, but not to the extent trees can be purchased from where use should be discour­ a source that displays trees First of all, check the tree aged if the other characteristics standing upright rather than species. Commonly, Scotch of the tree are acceptable. lying down. Generally, brown pine, red (or Norway) pine, needles on the interior of the balsam fir and Douglas fir will Colorado spruce trees tree do not indicate poor qual­ be plentiful on the market. should not be used as fresh-cut ity. Look for fullness, coloring Fraser fir and Noble fir are also specimens indoors because of and good needle holding char­ available, although not locally their needle sharpness, early acteristics on the current and grown. Occasionally, white needle drop and fire hazard previous season's growth. One spruce and Colorado blue potential. White spruce trees other point: select a tree that is spruce will be seen on the are similar in appearance to a little larger than that needed market, and rarely, white pine the Colorado spruce, but with to provide some greens for will be offered. noticeably softer needles. extra decoration and to allow Of all the trees, the Fraser The freshest trees, of course, for a fresh cut on the stump. and Noble firs will generally are those that the purchaser When the ideal tree has been have the best appearance cuts himself. Therefore, try to selected, bring it home and because they are usually not purchase trees that have been make a fresh cut across the oversheared and not discolored grown in our locality. Trees from stump, either at an angle or in a from local environments and North Dakota, northern South "V" shape to allow for a greater artificial green retardant sprays. Dakota, eastern Montana and absorbing surface. Once com­ The firs are easily identified western Minnesota will almost pleted, the tree stump can be by their short, soft and dense always be fresher than those placed in a bucket of tepid needles and their very pleasant coming from a greater distance, water or in a solution of ammo­ fragrance. Pines, both Scotch such as Michigan, Wisconsin nium sulfate. Adding the right and red, have longer 2-needle or Ohio. The source of the trees amount of ammonium sulfate clusters. White pine, rarely used is usually known by the nursery­ to the water will make wood and for Christmas trees, is common­ man, and trees are often pro­ needles of the tree more fire ly cut up into roping for making moted as to their source. resistant. wreaths. The procedure to follow using this readily available Christmas Tree Safety fertilizer from any seed or feed store is to weigh the tree - using Cutting your Storing the a bathroom scale - and divide own tree tree the weight in pounds by four. Use a sharp pruning-type If the tree is not to be deco­ This will give the amount of saw. Hatchets or axes tend to rated right away, store it in a fertilizer in pounds needed to be more dangerous for inexpe­ cold environment. An unheated treat the tree. If the tree weighs rienced individuals. Sharp saws garage or porch is satisfactory. 12 pounds, then 3 pounds of produce fewer injuries because Prolonged cold storage will ammonium sulfate would be they cut better. Keep a guard tend to dry out the tree. It is needed. For each pound of or shield over the teeth of the better to trim the butt end of the fertilizer, 1.5 pints of water saw when being carrying it; a trunk and immerse it in water or would be used to dissolve the piece of folded cardboard will an ammonium sulfate solution. material, so the example tree prevent accidental nicks and Maintain the reservoir level would then require 4.5 pints of damage. Many tree farm opera­ daily. If the reservoir should dry water to dissolve the 3 pounds tors will provide a saw for your up, the end of the trunk will of fertilizer. use and some may even cut seal, reducing the tree's water Fresh cut trees will absorb the tree for you. Cutting a tree intake. This will hasten the this solution or just plain water with a hatchet leaves a surface drying of the tree, resulting in very quickly; old cut trees will that does not readily absorb a greater fire hazard. absorb it slowly. Either way, be moisture. sure the butt end of the tree is Selecting and cutting your Decorating the kept in the fertilizer solution or tree at a tree farm is usually tree water throughout the holiday a family activity. Most trees A step ladder is usually used season. available at cut-it-yourself when decorating taller trees. locations are smaller, but when To enhance the color and Set up the ladder on a level cutting larger trees be careful help minimize messiness, spray base so all four legs carry the of where they fall. the tree with a solution of anti­ weight. Be sure the side braces desiccant (40 parts water; 1 are fully extended to limit the part anti-desiccant) an hour or spread of the ladder. Do not two before putting it up. This use the top or next to the top will help keep the tree turgid with water longer, reducing the hassle of filling the holder containing the water or solution as often, and will help to mini­ mize the threat of fire hazard. __.__ --11__ 0- . platform as a step. Do not over­ extension cords so that the tree Home-made paper decora­ extend your reach from the lights can be turned off conve­ tions are popular, especially in ladder; move the ladder to niently without having to crawl homes with school-age young­ prevent a fall. under the tree. If there are sters. Paper decorations should toddlers in the house, be care­ be placed at least 3 inches Examine all decorations ful to keep extension cords and from lights to reduce the threat carefully before placing them connections out of their reach. of fire. on the tree. Every string of lights should be checked. Look for Attach light strings so light Be sure to turn off all electri­ frayed wires, broken insulation, bulbs do not touch the tree's cal decorations when leaving damaged receptacles and needles. Heat from the bulbs the house or going to bed. Left clips as well as the Underwrit­ will hasten the drying process unattended, they may start a ers Laboratory tag of approval. of the tree. A spark from a fire that won't be detected until Do not use faulty decorations. broken bulb could ignite a it is too late, ruining the holiday tinder-dry needle. Inspect the season and more. Be sure to correctly use attachment of the lights three-prong plugs if light strings throughout the holiday season are equipped with them. Do not Never Use and adjust as needed to main­ remove or alter the third prong tain a safe decoration. Candles on plug-ends, the grounding it Candles are a popular holi­ provides may prevent a shock Most tinsel used for tree day decoration, but they also or fire. decorating today is of plastic cause many serious fires. material, reducing the threat of Use parallel wired strings of Candles and trees simply don't electrical short circuits and lights rather than those that are mix. sparks. Always place tinsel and series wired. A string of parallel other decorations away from wired lights remains lighted light strings for a safer tree. when one or more bulbs are burned out. When one bulb of a Other decorative materials series wired string fails, none such as artificial snow may of the lights work. Fortunately, have hazards to watch for. series wired lights are not as Some of these materials irritate common as they used to be. the lungs if inhaled. Always read and follow directions for Limit the number of light safe use. Wear gloves and eye strings to not more than three protection when applying per extension cord. Arrange materials such as spun glass 'angel hair' that may cause irritation. Helping You Put Knowledge To Work ~~~a~E~t~::~~h~~~~~~~~:~g~~~O~~;~!~~~iV~i~~%~;:li~~~~~r:r:~~eAtt~~:~~~~e~c~;~~~e~~~f ~e:::~:~~~~~~r~~~I~~r:. ~~~~:~i~~; . programs and facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual 1111111111111111111111111111 orientation; and are an equal opportunity employer.