UF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension Service
458 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: okeechobee@ufl.edu
December
1 , 2011
Feature Article - for release
the week of December 4, 2011
Dan Culbert - Extension
Horticulture Agent
Get
Real Christmas Trees!
Early
in the Holiday season is the right time to talk about
Christmas Trees for your Florida home. I have
several articles on our website about them, but here’s
an update about this key holiday decoration.
Should
I consider a REAL or a fake Christmas Tree?
Arguments
given in favor of artificial trees may include safer for
the environment, less cost, less mess, easier to put up,
safer, and it can be used for many years. But my
bias for REAL trees will show below.
REAL
Christmas trees are not from forests, but are agricultural
products grown on farms specifically for holiday harvest.
The argument that we should not be cutting down trees may
a bit like, “let’s not grow citrus because someday we
will have to cut down the grove.” In 2007,
more than 13,000 US growers produced 17 million Christmas
Trees that employed 100,000 people. That’s a $30
million domestic jobs program with no government subsidy
involved.
REAL Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and give off oxygen. The farms that grow Christmas Trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn't support other crops.
The
sticker price of artificial trees can be as wide as that
of REAL trees. But as you are pricing them out, be
sure to include the hidden costs. In 2010 the US
spent $1.5 billion on 35 million trees – and 75% of them
were REAL trees. This poll of consumers determined
that spent an average of $36.00 for a REAL tree, while
those that spent money for fake trees spent an average of
$65.00.
These
costs fail to consider are that most fake trees are
produced in foreign lands, which are getting enough of our
dollars. Many are produced in sweat shops, while
others may contain hazardous materials. Di you know
that the first artificial trees were a sideline business
for a company that made toilet bowl brushes? How
about long-term costs - when fake trees get worn or go out
of style, they will fill OUR local landfills. REAL
trees can be recycled into non-hazardous compost.
Can
I put real candles on a Christmas tree?
As
to their fire safety: a test by a Detroit fire department
showed that a well maintained REAL tree was more resistant
to fire than an artificial variety. (Go
to our website to see the photographic evidence.)
And
as far as the candles are concerned, open candle flames
will burn both kinds of Christmas tree - don’t
try it!
Can
I dig up a wild tree or buy a nursery tree and plant it in
my yard?
Yes,
Virginia, a LIVE Christmas tree (one with its roots) can
be a wonderful addition to your family tradition. I
don’t recommend that you dig a tree from the wild or
from your Florida Yard, as they will suffer transplant
shock and probably die. And wild trees will usually
lack the “perfect shape” we look for in Christmas
trees.
Nursery
grown Christmas trees can be kept in their containers,
brought inside and decorated. Consider the height of the
container when fitting a LIVE Christmas tree into your
home. Soil moisture needs careful monitoring to keep them
safe and alive. Many smaller plants can be used as
small tabletop
trees if space is a problem.
For
post-holiday planting, be advised that January is the best
time to plant trees in Florida. Remember there are
certain trees that just won’t do well in Florida Yards,
like the Norfolk Island Pine. Best choices for local LIVE
trees would be Southern Red Cedar or Sand Pine.
How
do I keep a REAL tree from dropping needles all over the
house? And why do I have to have the stump cut at
the tree lot?
The
best way to prevent needle drop is to choose a fresh tree
and keep it moist. Thumping the stem of a cut tree
on the ground will cause some needles to drop - but if
there is too much drop, don’t pick that tree.
Cutting
the stem opens up some fresh wood that will quickly absorb
water when trees are placed in the stand. I like to put
the tree in with water and let it sit outside in a shady
area for a day before I haul it inside. I also tap
it again on the ground just before I bring it inside to
get any more loose needles to fall. If you need to
drag it over carpet, consider laying down drop-cloths on
the path to catch any needle drop.
What’s
the best kind of REAL Tree for Florida?
There
are many, many choices of REAL trees that can be found at
local charity tree lots (e.g.
Lions Club or Shriners), garden centers (e.g. Tree
Locators) or supermarkets. Choices are based on how
much you can afford to spend, the quality you are looking
for, needle retention, softness, and fragrance.
Florida
has Christmas Tree farms where you can cut your own tree.
Most of these are in north Florida, but the closest are in
Pasco and Hernando Counties. Other sites are near
Ocala and Gainesville; check the Florida
Christmas Tree Association website for details.
The
National
Christmas Tree Association website has good
descriptions of the more common Christmas tree species.
They miss listing some of our local native trees (e.g.
Southern Red Cedar, Sand Pine) offer some of the newer
trends in Christmas trees. For example, there are
two kinds of Arizona Cypress called Carolina
Sapphire and
Blue Ice.
Do
check for more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.
If you need additional information on Christmas Trees,
please email me at indianco@ufl.edu
or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop
by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee. Happy
Hollydays
and Go
Gators!!
-30-
Trade
names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing
specific information. They do not constitute an
endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it
imply criticism of products not named. The Florida
Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer authorized to provide research,
educational information, and other services to individuals
and institutions that function without regard to race,
color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida
Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS /
University
of
Florida.
Millie
Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.
Last
update: 12/01/2011. This page is maintained by Dan
Culbert
References:
National
Christmas Tree Association: http://www.christmastree.org/
10 Biggest Myths about Christmas Trees:
http://www.christmastree.org/myths.cfm
Consumer Survey Results http://www.christmastree.org/statistics_consumer.cfm#retail
