Christmas Trees at Martin’s Yard & Garden

We have talked in the past how, in our family, Christmas is a season of cherished family traditions and memories. Christmas is a time for family, friends, and sharing, be it as simple as a kind word, a Christmas card or note, or a box of home-made cookies. Selecting the family Christmas Tree, is also, one of those family events that is very special.
We have had many varieties of live trees, cut trees, and now even a few artificial ones. Our trees have had short needles, long needles, and everything between. Cherry and Hawthorne trees were once very popular, although not in our home. Table top trees and half trees, ideal for the small home or apartment, have become very popular in the past few years. We hang a four foot half fake tree on our wall in the familyroom to save space.
Some of the evergreens we have used as Christmas Trees are:
- Balsam Fir – Abies balsamea – Short, flat, long lasting needles that are rounded at the tip with a nice, dark green color with silvery cast, very fragrant.
- Douglas Fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii – Good fragrance, holds blue to dark green, the needles have one of the best aromas among Christmas trees when crushed.
- Fraser Fir – Abies fraseri – Dark green, flattened needles with good needle retention, nice scent; pyramid shaped strong branches which turn upward.
- Noble Fir – Abies procera – Bluish-green needles with a silvery appearance, it has short, stiff branches which are great for heavier ornaments, keeps well.
- Concolor Fir – Abies concolor – Blue-green needles with a nice shape and good aroma, good needle retention.
- White Pine – Pinus strobus – Soft, blue-green needles, which it retains throughout the holiday season, very full appearance.
- Blue Spruce – Picea pungens – Dark green to powdery blue very stiff needles, good form, will drop needles in a warm room.
- Norway Spruce – Picea abies – Shiny, dark green. Needle retention is poor but has a strong fragrance and nice conical shape.
- White Spruce – Picea glauca – Green to bluish-green, short, stiff needles which when crushed have an unpleasant odor, good needle retention.
While I do not think we have ever had a bad Christmas Tree, the species we recommend are the Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and Concolor Fir. We tried a Black Hills Spruce this season and were very happy with it’s shape and structure.
Whatever species of tree you choose, make the selection a happy time, even your failures can bring fond memories. We still laugh about the tree we bought, when we were first married, that would not fit up the stairs to our top story apartment. We ended up throwing a rope out the front window and pulling it up. You can even make disposing of the tree an event. We decorate our old trees with treats for the birds and even use our retired fake trees as part of our outdoor decorations.
Tips of the Month
- Always refresh the tree by making a straight cut, taking one inch off the butt and immediately place in water.
- Place the tree in a stand that can hold at least one gallon of water, more preferably.
- You should expect the new tree to take up additional half gallon of water daily.
- Always keep the base of a tree in water. If the base dries out, resin will form over the cut end and the tree will not be able to absorb water and will dry out quickly. You will have to remove the tree and cut again.
- You do not need anything other than regular tap water, commercially prepared mixes like aspirin, sugar and other additives introduce into the water are not necessary.
- If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location just place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket of water.
- Using miniature lights produce less heat and reduce the drying effect on the tree.
- Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand as the outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water.
- Fresh cut trees should last at least five weeks before drying out, some species even longer.
- Keep trees away from sources of heat such as fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight.
- Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process.
- The temperature of the water used is not important and does not affect water uptake.
Flower of the Month
Picea glauca var. densata ‘Black Hills Spruce’
It is a ornamental evergreen with a deep dark green color and dense growth pattern. It is a truly cold adapted tree and is very resistant to winter injury. It prefers rich moist soil in full sun, and also thrives in dry, well-drained sites. This evergreen conifer tree has a medium growth rate and requires little, if any, pruning. Deer dislike Black Hills Spruce. This tree is commonly used for windbreaks, privacy screens and accent plantings. It will reach a height of six feet in nine years on a good site.
Web Site of the Month
The National Christmas Tree Association
They represent the Christmas Tree Professionals and promoting the use of Real Christmas Trees. More than 5,100 professionals support NCTA programs through membership; participation. This site has a lot of useful information and links to help you select the tree that best suits your needs.