One, Two, TREE!
This page has almost too much information about trees!  Enjoy!
Why buy a real tree?
 *Real Christmas trees are an all-American product, grown in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.

 *Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals.

 *For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place.

 *There are about 1 million acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.

 *There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry.

 *There are approximately 5,000 choose and cut farms in the U.S.

 *It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (6 feet), but the average growing time in 7 years.

 *The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina.

 *The top selling Christmas trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraiser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.
 

Christmas Tree Varieties

  There is a variety of Christmas tree species to choose from. You can find most of these on retail lots or growing in your area on a choose-n-cut farm.   Christmas trees can be identified by the size, color, and arrangement of their needles. The four common types of Christmas trees are pine, fir, spruce and cedar/cypress.

PINE
  Needles are arranged in bundles of two to five, with
a bundle sheath holding the bases of the needles       together within each bundle.

 *Virginia Pine - The Virginia Pine has yellow-green     needles that are 1.5 to three inches long, arranged in  bundles of two, and slightly twisted.  These pines are
grown throughout Georgia, are available on local retail
lots and are the most common trees in Georgia         choose-n-cut operations.

 *Scotch Pine - The Scotch Pine has needles that are 1.5 to 2.5 inches long and arranged in bundles of two, and scaly orange-red bark. These pines are grown throughout the mid west and northeast areas of the United States and are sold on retail lots.

 *White Pine - The White Pine has blue-green needles
that are three to five inches long and arranged in bundles of five. These pines hold needles well but wilt noticeably. They are grown in central and north Georgia and throughout the Lake States, and are       available from retail and on choose-n-cut lots.

 *Sand Pine - The Sand Pine has dark green needles that are two to 3.5 inches long and are arranged in bundles of two. These pines are similar to the Virginia Pine and are grown in south Georgia and Florida, and are available at choose-n-cut operations in the southern United States.
 

               FIR
Needles are arranged in rows, with one row on each side of a branch. The needles are flat and leave a small circular depressed scar on the branch when removed. The cones are upright.

 *Balsam Fir - The Balsam Fir has needles that are 1/2
to one inch long and are dark green on the top with two silver lines on the bottom. The buds are rounded,
yellowish and coated with an aromatic resin. These firs are grown in Canada and the northeastern United States and are available at retail lots.

 *Fraser Fir - The Fraser Fir is similar to the Balsam Fir, and is grown in the mountains of North Carolina,
Virginia and Tennessee. These firs are available at retail lots.

 *Douglas Fir - The Douglas Fir is not a true fir. The needles are dark blue to yellow green and completely encircle the branches. The buds are pointed and reddish brown. These trees are grown in the Pacific Northwest and are available at retail lots.
 

               SPRUCE
Needles are attached to branches by short pegs and are pointed, four-sided and spiral around branches. The cones hang down.

 *White Spruce and Blue Spruce - These Spruce trees have needles that are 3/4 to one inch long and are blue-green (the Blue Spruce's needles are a richer color). The trees grow in Canada and the extreme northern United States. They are available on retail lots and in some choose-n-cut operations in north     Georgia.
 

CEDAR/CYPRESS
Needles are scale-like on old foliage and sharp and prickly on young foliage.  Needles of Deodar Cedar are arranged in clusters on short branch spurs.

 *Eastern Redcedar - The Eastern Redcedar has sharp pointed needles and scale-like leaves on the same tree. The color of the needles ranges from green and blue-green to yellow-green. These trees dry out rapidly after cutting and begin to lose needles, so they must be kept well-supplied with water. They are
grown in the piedmont and coastal plain of Georgia and are available at local choose-n-cut operations, but are rarely found at retail lots. The Eastern Redcedar is a  traditional southern  Christmas tree.

 *Deodar Cedar - The Deodar Cedar has needles arranged in clusters on short spurs on the branches. The color of the needles ranges from waxy blue to blue-green. These trees are common as landscape plants and are available in limited quantities at some choose-n-cut operations.

 *Leyland Cypress - The Leyland Cypress is similar to the Red cedar, but the needles are softer and more scale-like. These trees are available at choose-n-cut   operations and as live container-grown trees at          nurseries.

 *Arizona Cypress - Similar to Redcedar and Leyland
Cypress, Arizona Cypress has foliage that ranges from
light green to bluish green. A rapidly growing tree, there are over 30 cultivars available. They are found at  choose-n-cut operations throughout the state.

SELECTING YOUR TREE
             Keep these points in mind when choosing a specific tree:
 
 *Check the height of the ceiling in the room where you will display your tree. Select a tree that is at least one foot shorter than the ceiling height.

 *Run your fingers over the branch along the needles. Needles should be pliable and adhere to the branches. They should bend, but not break or fall off.

 *Shake or bounce the tree to be sure that the needles are firmly attached. If the tree is fresh, few needles should fall off. Some loss of needles inside the tree is common.

 *Avoid trees that have a wilted look.

 *Make sure the handle of the tree is straight. The handle must be six to eight inches long to allow placement in the tree stand.

 *Check for insects and dead needles inside the tree crown. Have dead needles shaken or blown out when you buy the tree.

TREE CARE IN YOUR HOME

 *If you don't plan to put the tree up right away, cut one inch off of the base, put the tree in a bucket of water and stand it in a shady place.

 *When you bring the tree indoors, cut 1/2 to one inch off of the base of the trunk and place in a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water.

 *Do not place the tree near a fireplace, heater vents or other heat sources.

 *Always keep the tree well-supplied with water. Check the water level in the stand several times each day. Trees may use several quarts of water a day.

 *Never let the water level fall below the base of the tree. If this occurs, the cut end can seal over, preventing further water uptake. The tree must then be taken down and a fresh cut made to allow water uptake.

 *Adding aspirin, soda water, bleach or sugar to the water in the tree stand is no more effective in keeping the tree fresh than adding plain water each day.  (But my cats sure love to drink that sugar water!)

               FIREPROOFING YOUR TREE

 *The best way to keep a tree fresh and fire resistant is to keep it supplied with water at all times.

 *A fresh tree supplied with water presents little fire hazard. As long as the tree takes up water, it will be relatively fire resistant.

 *Do not allow the water level in the tree stand to fall below the base of the tree.

 *Trees can be sprayed with antitranspirants, which are clear films that slow water loss from the needles.

 *Fire Marshall-approved treatments can be sprayed on trees to reduce flammability.  These contain borax or other flame retardants. Check with the salesperson when you purchase your tree, or with the fire department or County Agent for specific fire-retardant treatments.

 *Use only UL-approved lights and nonflammable decorations.

 *Never leave home or go to bed with the Christmas tree lights on.


 

        COMBATING INSECT PROBLEMS

 *Be aware of aphids and other insects that can enter the home on the Christmas tree and emerge in the warm house.

 *Inspect the tree before bringing it indoors. Shake and bounce the tree on the pavement to dislodge insects and other foreign objects.

 *If you find insects, spray the tree with an indoor-outdoor aerosol insecticide containing pyrethrins before bringing the tree inside. These insecticides are available at grocery and discount stores.

 *If insects appear after the tree is in the house (look for sticky drops on the carpet and presents), spray the tree with an indoor or outdoor approved aerosol insecticide containing pyrethrins. Be sure to follow label directions when using any insecticide.


 
USING YOUR TREE AFTER CHRISTMAS

 *Grind the tree for mulch and place in flower beds or gardens.

 *Use the main stem to burn in the fireplace after removing branches and needles.

 *Create a fish attractor by weighting the base of the tree and sinking it in a pond.

                    ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

Pesticide Precautions:

 1. Observe all directions, restrictions and precautions on pesticide labels. It is dangerous, wasteful and       illegal to do otherwise.

 2. Store all pesticides in original containers with labels intact and behind locked doors.
KEEP PESTICIDES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

 3. Use pesticides at correct label dosage and intervals to avoid illegal residues or injury to plants and animals.

 4. Apply pesticides carefully to avoid drift or contamination of non-target areas.

 5. Surplus pesticides and containers should be  disposed of in accordance with label instructions so
that contamination of water and other hazards will not result.

 6. Follow directions on the pesticide label regarding restrictions as required by State or Federal Laws and Regulations.

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