HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE / ADVERTISING SECTION
Prepare your home for the perfect Christmas tree
Mark Chisholm , a third-generation certified arborist with his family-owned Aspen Tree Expert Company and STIHL Inc . spokesperson , provides the following advice .
There ’ s more to decking the halls with just the right Christmas tree than many people realize . Here are seven hints that can help you during the process :
SELECTION YOUR LOCATION Before you head to the lot or store to pick out this year ’ s tree , you must be certain of where you want to place the tree and the space available . Try to avoid spots near heat sources such as radiators , fireplaces and heating vents . Also , try to tuck the tree into a low-traffic area to avoid accidental bumping and possible safety issues . Next , you ’ ll need to measure the dimensions you have to work with , bearing in mind that a tree stand will add a few extra inches of height , as will a star or angel to finish the top .
CONSIDER A CHARITABLE TREE LOT
If you ’ re like me and look forward to contributing to the spirit of the season while picking a tree , you can look for charitable lots . One I like to shop at donates all of its proceeds to a children ’ s hospital . Another option would be to get an extra tree and then donate it to a family that can ’ t afford one or to an organization that will find that tree the right home .
SELECT THE RIGHT TREE FOR YOU
At the lot you will likely see three or four common varieties of trees . Some things to consider when choosing are the color , shape and feel of the tree . Some trees are dark green , and others have gray or white shades . There are trees with tight branching patterns and some with more spaces . One thing to remember is that if the tree looks very full while absent of ornaments , it may be difficult to decorate . Most trees that end up on a lot have been groomed and sheared to look great during the selection process . Then you get it home and realize that there ’ s very little space for ornaments . Choosing one with some empty spaces might be a better route . You could bring a few of your favorite ornaments with you to test at the store . Also , be sure that the first foot of trunk is straight , or you could have one heck of a time getting it to stand up correctly at home .
TRY A LIVE TREE Balled and burlap or container trees can be a nice choice for a live tree . It will be heavier and need more diligent care once home . After the holidays are over , it can be added to the landscape . One extra step you ’ ll need to adopt is assessing the planting space for proper growing space , sunlight and watering needs . Make sure the species you choose will thrive where you plant it .
TEST YOUR TREE FOR FRESHNESS
Once you have the look you want , you ’ ll need to test the tree for freshness . Trees that are on a lot could have been cut and shipped weeks earlier . Look for greener trees with no signs of wilting or browning . What can be tricky is that many trees have undergone a colorizing treatment before they were shipped . That ’ s why a quick pull test is next on my list . Grab a limb or two and pull them toward you . Release the limb slowly , letting it pull through your hand . A fresh tree will keep most or all of its needles in this test and the limb will not feel brittle or snap . Flexibility in the limbs is a must if the tree is to remain green for the next few weeks indoors . The final test is a quick drop test . Lift the tree a few inches off the ground and then let the butt of the tree hit the ground . That quick shock will release any dry needles and give you a good feel for how fresh the tree truly is . Don ’ t worry about a few needles letting loose within the interior .
PREPARE YOUR TREE FOR INDOORS
Once you pick your tree and truck it home , make a fresh cut at the base , unless it was already done for you . One thing I like to do before I bring my tree inside is to take out my STIHL blower and give the tree a quick blast to remove any loose needles , debris wedged in the branches and , most importantly , remove any insects or egg masses that might have survived the journey .
RECYCLE YOUR TREE After Christmas is over , you ’ ll need to dispose of the family tree . There are many recycling programs all over the country that account for the recycling of 93 % of all trees nationally . Most get ground into mulch to be given back to the community or used as mulch in flower beds and parks . Some places have extensive erosion programs that take advantage of this biodegradable resource .
Check websites such as RealChristmasTrees . org for more information . ( North American Precis Syndicate Inc .)
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NORTHJERSEY . COM | THURSDAY , NOVEMBER 12 , 2020 | 9
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