Feature Article - for release the week of November 25, 2007

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

Our Native Christmas Pine

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, as I get to write about all kinds of unusual plants for the holidays.  All kinds of greenery has made it’s way into this special time of year, and one of the first and most significant plants is the Christmas Tree.

I suspect that you will understand my bias towards Real Live trees – perish the thought that a fake tree ever graces our household.  There are many local vendors of cut trees that came from northern tree farms.  Some of these tree sales are important as fundraisers for our community.  But if you really want to support local farmers, consider using a Florida-grown Christmas tree.

Yes, Virginia, there are Florida-grown Christmas trees.  Unfortunately for us, it will involve some travel to more northern areas of the Sunshine State, and with the high price of fuel and busy schedules, it might not be a popular choice.

A Low Maintenance Pine

In certain areas of Florida, it’s possible to notice some spots with a slightly higher elevation and deep sugar-sandy soils.  These Scrub habitat areas have forests of turkey oaks, palmettos and other plants have survived many years of regular natural forest fires.  A dominant tree in these parts is the Sand pine, Pinus clausa. I’m told there are several forms of this 25 to 40 feet tall tree, the Ocala Sand pine and the Choctawhatchee sand pine.

The Ocala sand pine can still be seen in parts of the county, and used to be quite noticeable on the coastal Florida dunes and ridges. They have short bundles of needles that are 2 to 4 inches long, much shorter than our more common Slash Pine.  The cones are short and stubby, and stay on the tree for many years, waiting for a forest fire to heat them up before releasing their seed.

Because of their extreme drought and salt tolerance and attractiveness to wildlife, Sand Pine can be a nice addition to a Florida Yard.  The trunks on Sand Pine are rarely straight – it usually grows with part of the crown missing or leaning.  Some may think this makes it a poor landscape choice, but this “knarley look” makes it a unique accent tree.  

Sand Pines did not do well in recent hurricanes, and need to be planted away from buildings to reduce fire hazards. Availability of potted Sand Pines is possible through some wholesale nurseries, and another source is the Florida Division of Forestry who sells bundles of seedlings to property owners.

Speaking of property owners: if you have a spot that is high and dry, and would like a novel cash crop, consider planting that vacant land to Sand Pines.  In three short years, with a little work, you to can open a Real live Christmas Tree Farm.  The Florida Christmas Tree Growers Association has some nice photos of how it is done at their website: http://www.flchristmastrees.com/FCTA.htm

And if you would like to find out a place to   take the family to cut your own Sand Pine, the Florida Department of Agriculture has a list of 18 farms that are ready for your visit.  It appears that the closes spots will be in Lake and Hernando Counties.  Call us if you want the list.

Christmas Tree Contests

For the past few years, the National Christmas Tree Association has sponsored several fun events to encourage Live Tree fun.  Here’s what they have on-line for this year:

*       The NCTA is introducing an exciting new contest for the 2007 Christmas season.  Create a video and post it on telling why a Real Christmas Tree is the best choice this holiday season. Upload your video by Dec. 15, 2007 to the U-tube website.  It will be judged on the basis of accuracy, creativity, persuasiveness & popularity. Cash prizes up to $500 will be awarded. Right now, there are only 3 entries, so get filming and then go to: http://www.youtube.com/group/getreal

*       Trees for Troops is a program that sends trees to our active armed service personnel.  Donations can be made, rebates for certain product purchases can be applied to help out, and messages to the troops can be submitted. Last year nearly 12,000 troops and their families received trees at 25 bases and in 17 countries, up from 4,300 trees in 2005.  Next weekend, one NCTA member in Ft. Meyers will be actively participating in this program.  Or, you can call or go on-line to get more information: www.TreesforTroops.org.

*       Attack of the Mutant Artificial Tree is a fun, interactive game created for the NCTA by Kewlbox to increase awareness and benefits of having a Real Christmas tree. Played more than 1 million times, this on-line game is a fun way for kids of all ages to face off against fake trees: http://realtrees.kewlbox.com/.

Ghosts of Christmas (Articles) Past

If you need more information on the many different kinds of  holiday plants or want to know more about the folklore and traditions associated with them, go to our county Extension website and take a look.  And if you have any special holiday plants that I’ve not covered, please let me know and I will see what I can find.

I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on sand pines and Christmas Trees, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  GO GATORS!     

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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.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean. Last update: 11/21/2007.  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert