Green Thumb Tuesday: Knowing and Loving Your Christmas Tree

The decorated Christmas tree can be traced back to the ancient Romans who, during their winter festival, decorated trees with small pieces of metal during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.

Several types of Christmas trees are available, including cut, and potted or balled trees. Cut, live trees are the most common. There are many popular species including Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Concolor Fir, Scotch Pine and Blue Spuce, to name just a few.

Some people choose a potted or balled tree with roots intact, in the hopes of transplanting it in the spring. To do this successfully, follow these guidelines:

• Buy a healthy tree from a reputable nursery or grower.
• Keep the tree in a shaded area or a non-heated garage until it is brought inside.
• Keep the soil in the ball or pot moist until well after it is transplanted after Christmas.
• Keep the tree in the house no longer than one week.
• Have the tree's planting hole dug before the soil freezes and keep the fill dirt thawed.
• Remove packing and binding materials when planting the tree.

If you choose a traditional live tree, follow these safety tips when selecting and caring for it:

• A live tree should not lose its needles when you tap it on the ground.
• Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water.
• Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.
• The stand should hold at least one gallon of water.
• A 6' tree will use 1 gallon of water every two days.
• Check the water level every day.
• Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.
• Keep tree away from floor heaters, fireplaces, or other heat sources.
• Use only UL-listed lights, and no more than three strands linked together.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

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