Christmas Tree Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide
Christmas Tree Decorated For Christmas Day
By Suzzie T Franklin
Before you buy that perfect Christmas tree this holiday season,
do your homework! Be sure to tape-measure the height of the space
and the width of the space where you’d like your tree to stand,
allowing at least three feet from all heat sources.
Before leaving home, bring your tape measure to review your options
and check the size of the tree, gloves to protect your hands,
an old blanket to protect your car from the needles and sap, a
twine to rope the tree to the car and a saw so a fresh cut can
be made before placing your tree into the watered stand. Also
be aware of the maximum width of the tree trunk that will fit
properly into your tree stand.
Perhaps you’re thinking about getting a real tree this holiday
season. There’s nothing like the fragrance and natural beauty
of a tree in your own home. Firs are one of the most popular types
of Christmas trees, yet there are many varieties to choose from.
The Fraser Fir makes the perfect tree with 1" silvery needles
that are soft to the touch and held on widely spaced, sturdy branches,
making it easy to decorate.
Making Your Choice Of Fir Tree
The Noble Fir is a deep green, with sturdy branches and soft
needles; used for making the ideal Christmas wreath too. The Grand
Fir is a glossy dark green, with slightly longer needles but the
branches may not hold some of the heavier ornaments.
Many people like the Balsam Fir for its fragrance, its nice form
and its dark green color, even though it also will not hold some
of the heavier ornaments. Similarly, the Douglas-firs have a wonderful
fragrance, soft shiny bluish-green needles, good needle retention
and the perfect conical shape, which may be tricky for fitting
decorations.
Following A Decorating Theme For Your Christmas Tree
There are many ways to decorate a Christmas tree, which is usually
based on personal preference and style. However, if you’d like
some traditional decorating tips for your tree, then you may want
to follow a theme like country, Victorian or family style. The
country tree is short, full and stout. Old-fashioned, egg-shaped
red and green lights are the most popular, although blue and yellow
lights are okay too.
Rustic ornaments made of wood, tin, velvet, ribbon, glass and
tinsel may then be added, with a star to top it off. By contrast,
the tall, slender Victorian tree uses themes such as angels, animals,
birds or musical instruments. Ornaments are usually small, made
of tin or glass and colored blue, lavender, pink or gold. Lastly,
the family Christmas trees showcase real characters, using all
homemade ornaments and decorations like strung-popcorn, homemade
gingerbread men, candy canes and a hodge podge of flashing lights.
Preventing Fire Hazards With Your Ornaments
Almost half (48%) of all Christmas tree fires each year are caused
by electrical failure. To prevent a holiday catastrophe, check
to see whether your lights are marked "indoor," "outdoor"
or both. Whenever possible, choose lights with reflectors, rather
than bare bulbs. Never connect more than three strands (or 150
light bulbs) together.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the Christmas
lights and avoid using any old strands that have loose connections
or frayed cords. An additional 27% of fires from Christmas trees
are caused by a heat source being too close, so be sure the tree
is at least three feet from all fireplaces, heaters, space heaters
and candles. Watering your tree daily will also reduce the fire
hazard risk as well.
Holiday lights were involved in 22% of the fires, candles in
15% of the accidents and space heaters were involved in 7% of
all fires.
About the Author:
Suzzie T Franklin has written a number of articles on trees, gardening and landscaping including
Bamboo Plants,
The Japanese Garden,
Zen Garden,
Flower Gardening,
Planting Guide,
Cherry Blossom,
African Violets,
Wire Topiary Frames.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles on this website.
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