Isanti-Chisago County Star
Ah, the Christmas tree; a staple of the holiday season for many. It is a sweet reminder for the children that Santa is soon coming, while bringing back wonderful childhood memories for adults everywhere.
For generations, families across the world have been decorating trees during the holiday season. From picking it out to cutting it down, it is a time of family bonding and where traditions begin.
While it may seem to be an easy task, there are some things to consider when picking out that perfect tree.
First, there is the type of tree. If children will be near the tree, Nick Wolcyn of Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery suggests cutting Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir or White Pine because “they are all very soft to the touch.”
Next are those pesky needles that find their way to the floor, a minor setback, but still worth having that beautiful tree in the home.
“White Pine will lose its needles after about four weeks,” says Wolcyn. “Balsam Fir should hold their needles four to five weeks and Fraser Fir will hold their needles six to eight weeks as long as they are continually watered. White Pine has long needles and loses more than Balsam Fir or Fraser Fir which have shorter needles.”
It is also important to consider how long a tree will be in the home and how to care for it.
“Fraser Fir should last six to eight weeks minimum,” Wolcyn informed. “We have had trees last over three months inside without dropping any needles, but you should get at least six weeks. Balsam Fir should last four to five weeks and Pine should last four weeks.”
He also suggests steering away from Spruce trees as they only last two weeks. When caring for holiday tree, Wolcyn advises fresh water.
“The best way to care for the tree is to give it a fresh cut and continually keep water in the tree stand bowl,” he said. “You need a large enough stand to support and hold water for your tree. If your water dries up and the tree is left without water for more than an hour or two it will seal up and you will have to make a fresh cut.”
The National Christmas Tree Association has a helpful list of tree care items on their Web site at www.christmastree.org/care.cfm.
And if any tree hunters out there enjoy following the trends, Wolcyn suggests going with the short needled, long lasting Balsam and Fraser Fir trees. They are also great because they give off a great fragrance.
Now, once that perfect tree is cut, put up and well cared for, the decorating traditions can begin and continued with the child in each of us.
For generations, families across the world have been decorating trees during the holiday season. From picking it out to cutting it down, it is a time of family bonding and where traditions begin.
While it may seem to be an easy task, there are some things to consider when picking out that perfect tree.
First, there is the type of tree. If children will be near the tree, Nick Wolcyn of Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery suggests cutting Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir or White Pine because “they are all very soft to the touch.”
Next are those pesky needles that find their way to the floor, a minor setback, but still worth having that beautiful tree in the home.
“White Pine will lose its needles after about four weeks,” says Wolcyn. “Balsam Fir should hold their needles four to five weeks and Fraser Fir will hold their needles six to eight weeks as long as they are continually watered. White Pine has long needles and loses more than Balsam Fir or Fraser Fir which have shorter needles.”
It is also important to consider how long a tree will be in the home and how to care for it.
“Fraser Fir should last six to eight weeks minimum,” Wolcyn informed. “We have had trees last over three months inside without dropping any needles, but you should get at least six weeks. Balsam Fir should last four to five weeks and Pine should last four weeks.”
He also suggests steering away from Spruce trees as they only last two weeks. When caring for holiday tree, Wolcyn advises fresh water.
“The best way to care for the tree is to give it a fresh cut and continually keep water in the tree stand bowl,” he said. “You need a large enough stand to support and hold water for your tree. If your water dries up and the tree is left without water for more than an hour or two it will seal up and you will have to make a fresh cut.”
The National Christmas Tree Association has a helpful list of tree care items on their Web site at www.christmastree.org/care.cfm.
And if any tree hunters out there enjoy following the trends, Wolcyn suggests going with the short needled, long lasting Balsam and Fraser Fir trees. They are also great because they give off a great fragrance.
Now, once that perfect tree is cut, put up and well cared for, the decorating traditions can begin and continued with the child in each of us.
