Cut Christmas trees instead of using fake

Nothing evokes thoughts of the holiday season, home and Christmas tradition like the scent of a fresh evergreen Christmas tree. That alone is reason to buy a cut Christmas tree instead of an artificial tree.

Fake trees are non-renewable, non-biodegradable plastic and metal. Most of them are made in overseas factories in China.

Natural Christmas trees, however, are an agricultural crop that is renewable and recyclable. Nationwide the industry employs more than 100,000 American workers.

Some people are reluctant to cut down trees because of the air cleaning process they perform. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and certain other gases from the air and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Cutting trees on tree farms is different from cutting trees in a native forest. The green space they form exists because tree farmers planted their fields with the evergreens.

Christmas tree farms are businesses that grow a renewable crop. Growers plant one to three new seedlings for each tree, live or cut, that they sell. Often farmers grow their trees in soil that cannot support other crops. In many cases the fields of trees actually stabilize the soil and control erosion. Moreover, tree farms serve as a refuge for wildlife by providing green space where wildlife can nest and forage.

Most cut Christmas tree buyers want the fresh tree fragrance in their homes for the life of the tree. That comes with the type of tree. Leyland cypress and white pines have little aroma. Douglas fir has a citrus smell. Scotch pine has a pleasant but mild fragrance. Fir trees typically have a strong aroma. Virginia pine has a heavy aromatic scent.

The more moisture a tree holds the stronger the aroma. The more water it absorbs the greater the fragrance. The needles contain the most moisture and therefore the greatest aroma potential.

Once cut, after three to six hours without water, air gets into a Christmas tree’s tissue and hinders its ability to take up water. A fresh cut at the base of the tree opens up its pores so it can absorb water. Only one half inch to an inch slice off the bottom of the trunk is necessary. Then keep the base in water at all times.

The rate of water absorption fluctuates during a tree’s life in a tree stand. A tree may take up water for three weeks or up to three months before absorption ceases. Uptake depends on the type of tree and the individual tree. There is no reason to drill a hole in the bottom of the trunk. It does not aid water absorption.

The National Christmas Tree Association instructs us to use only tap water in tree stands. No bleach—it destroys plant tissue. Don’t add sugar either—it does nothing for the tree and it can aid the buildup of bacteria in the water which will stink. Use no additives, just water.

If you are committed to a living Christmas tree, suitable conifers for the Coastal Carolina landscape include Eastern Red Cedar, Southern Red Cedar, “Carolina Sapphire” Cypress, “Clemson Greenspire” Cypress, Virginia Pine (tolerates poor, dry clay soil), Leyland Cypress, Deodar Cedar and Japanese Cedar. Note: Blue Spruce and Fraser Fir are among a number of conifers that do not grow well in our coastal climate.

Take into account the mature size of the living tree you select. The future size of the tree should be in proportion to your house and landscape.

A three foot living tree in a container weighs about 50 pounds. A five to six foot tree with burlap wrapped around the root ball weighs 100 to 200 lbs. Consider the weight when you opt for a living tree. Ease your tree in and out of your house with a couple of days on a porch or in the garage as part of the process.

Set up your living tree in a tub in a cool room. It should remain indoors no more than 7 to 10 days. Keep the root ball moist. Clemson Extension specialists suggest watering a live tree by placing crushed ice on top of the root ball.

Cut tree or living tree, the fragrance is unbeatable.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Cut Christmas trees instead of using fake."