Guest Columnist
The magnificent evergreens that ruled the great forests of northern Europe have been revered for centuries. These trees -- the firs, the spruces, the pines -- endured ice, snow and blasts of Arctic winds yet never lost their foliage throughout the long, dark winters. Even the lowly holly tree, with its glossy, spiked leaves and jolly colored berries, stood as a symbol of hope that the long-awaited springtime would return. Thus, evergreens were sacred symbols to the pagans of northern Europe.
With the coming of Christianity, though, church fathers tried to discourage their new converts from decking the halls with boughs of holly until a conscientious clergyman decided that the evergreens could symbolize the hope of the Nativity. Thus, the mighty evergreens served as Christmas trees and wreaths throughout much of the Western world.
But ever green does not always mean ever fresh. After a tree is harvested and placed in a warm, indoor environment, it can become dry, thereby creating a possible fire hazard unless proper steps are taken.
Though holiday trees themselves can't start fires, they can become fuel for a fire if they're allowed to become too dry and are then exposed to a source of ignition. One of the first safety measures to take is to make sure that the tree you select is fresh. One way to do this is to go to a choose-and-cut operation. However, fresh trees are also available on retail lots. Here are some other tips on keeping your tree fresh and hazard-free.
The tree should have a fresh scent, should not exhibit mold or mildew nor shed too many needles when shaken.
In firs and spruces, the needles should break like a carrot when bent, yet not be brittle.
Pine needles should not break easily.
Cut a half inch off the bottom of the trunk before placing the tree in a tree stand with water. This provides resin and dirt-free channels so that the tree can take up water.
Plain water is best. Research shows that additives don't help the tree and may even cause premature needle loss in some species.
Check the water level daily; keep the level at least an inch above the bottom of the trunk. Freshly cut trees have been known to require a gallon of water or more per day, so don't let your tree go thirsty.
Keep the tree away from heaters, TV sets, fireplaces and other heat sources. Newer tree lights usually don't get hot, but check them and make sure electrical cords are safe. Unplug tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
Now, as the dark wind howls at your windows throughout the long winter nights, you and your family can gather around a festive evergreen that symbolizes safely the hope and cheer that has come down to us through the ages.
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You can sign up for a free electronic version of Extension Gardener, by sending me an e-mail to carl_matyac@ncsu.edu. Extension Gardener is a four-page, online newsletter that is published quarterly. The newsletter is written by horticultural agents with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
Call the Master Gardener here in Orange County for information about gardening at (919) 245-2061. They are in the office at 306 Revere Road, Hillsborough, from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Call or stop in.
Carl A. Matyac is a N.C. Cooperative Extension agent of horticulture at the Orange County Center on Revere Road in Hillsborough. Call (919) 245-2062 or e-mail carl_matyac@ncsu.edu
