As the holiday season rolls around, your thoughts may be filled with mistletoe and presents. A highly underrated part of Christmas in Florida is shopping for a Christmas tree. After all, we never have White Christmases or the beautiful, dark green trees of the North. Most families will settle for a dinky plastic tree to sit oddly by their artificial wood gas fireplaces (we know who you are).
Where has the spirit of Christmas gone? Every year my family takes a thirty minute drive to a Christmas tree farm near our house to buy a fresh, real Christmas tree. Maybe my family is just weird, but I feel like having a real Christmas tree makes the holiday much more special. But before you all run out and purchase that perfect bush, it’s important to recognize the benefits of buying the real deal and choosing the right Christmas tree for your home.
So why are real Christmas trees so great compared to their plastic counterparts? Some people may remember a day when they saw a triangle-shaped tree dangling from the rear-view mirror as an air freshener. The fragrant scent of the Christmas tree is much sought after. Why go through all the trouble of buying fragrances to spray on your plastic PVC monster, when you can have the real thing inside your house?
The most important element of a real evergreen is its ability to be recycled. Evergreens are 100 percent biodegradable and can be recycled to benefit nature. Unlike the artificial “trees,” made out of PVC which contains dangerous chemicals, purchasing fresh cut trees benefits local farmers, instead of supporting evil corporations like Wal-Mart.
The most popular types of Christmas trees are the Fraser fir, Noble fir, and the Colorado Blue Spruce. Obviously here in Florida, we’re going to miss out on some trees that grow native in certain states such as Colorado. Unfortunately, Florida does not grow some of the top of the line Christmas trees due to our relatively warm climate.
However, there is still an abundance of options. The most popular type of evergreen in Florida is the Red Cedar. It has a dense pyramid shape and is characterized by medium green foliage and its longing for full sun.
The Virginia Pine has stout and woody branches and is small to medium in size. The leaves become extremely dense which, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, make this evergreen the most popular Christmas tree in the South.
Next to the Red Cedar and Virginia Pine are the Leyland and Arizona Cypress. The Leyland Cypress claims the title of most popular Christmas tree in the southeast. While it has a dark green-gray color and does not produce sap (those with a sap allergy can really enjoy this tree), the Leyland Cypress does not carry the woodsy scent Christmas trees are known for. The Arizona Cypress on the other hand has a “pleasing aroma” as described by the National Christmas Tree Association, and it is shaped in a steeple with tons of leaves.
When you arrive at the Christmas tree farm, it is important to test out the needles of the tree to determine its dryness. If the needles break off in your hand, the tree is dry, and therefore should not be purchased. When doubting the freshness of a tree, a good rule of thumb is to move on and select another one.
While at the lot, it is also important to consider the decorations you will be placing on the tree and the space it will be living in for the next few weeks. Many of the aforementioned trees are quite sturdy and can support most ornaments. All these trees range from small to medium size, so they can easily fit into most homes.
Now that you have the perfect tree, you have to keep it in perfect condition. The best way to keep a tree fresh is to use the reservoir method. Cut off about a half inch thick disc from the base of the tree before placing it into the stand. Make sure to immediately water the tree once it is secure, as most evergreens can only go 6-8 hours without water.
Every stand should be able to hold 1 quart of water. Check the water level constantly, never allowing it to disappear below the base of the tree. To slow down the drying process, keep the tree away from fires, direct sunlight, and lower the room temperature.
Once the holiday festivities are over, and everyone has complemented you on your beautiful real Christmas tree, it is time to begin the recycling process. Don’t throw the tree away! All Christmas trees are biodegradable and easy to recycle. The easiest way to recycle trees is to do a curbside pickup, which usually occurs a couple days after Christmas. Of course, there are plenty of recycling centers that you can deliver your tree to which will use the tree for mulch and yard waste.
This Christmas, make sure you do the holiday season a favor, and buy a real Christmas tree.
Not only will you be benefitting the environment, but your house will smell like the holidays.
So ditch that pathetic plastic excuse for a tree, be a man, and go buy the real deal. Even if you get the same pair of socks or hand-knitted sweater from grandma, at least your tree will look nice.
Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest Inc.
35317 Huff Rd, Eustis, FL 32736
(352)357-9863
Tuesday – Sunday
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
