Cut Trees

As of December 15 we still have a GREAT selection of cut trees. Prices range from $24.95 to $49.95 for the "normal" sized ones, with $34.95 to $39.95 being the average for the fullest ones. We also have sizes ranging up to 14 feet tall.

These pictures were taken in Vermont on Sunday December 10, 2006 about 20 or 30 miles south of the Canadian border. Click to enlarge. Go lower on the page, or click here, for Care Information.


Robert and Ed loading the elevator. Steve is in the truck “catching."	Another view of the elevator. For those of you familiar with a hay elevator, this is the same thing with baskets attached for the trees.

This is a view of some of the future years’ production.	More of future trees.

Next years trees. One more year's shearing. One more year's growth. Seven to twelve years work will come to fruition.

Aspirin, Sprite & Bleach…Or how NOT to keep your cut Christmas tree fresh

Homespun remedies abound on how to keep your cut tree fresh. According to a local tree seller there is one thing much more important than the rest: water. That’s right, just good clean water, and lots of it! Research that has been done indicates the additives make little or no difference. Some of them can even harm the tree. It is interesting (to us plant nerds anyway) that cut Christmas trees respond differently than other cut plants. Certain additives can help greatly with cut flowers and forced branches, but cut trees just want the basics.

A fresh cut is the other thing that is needed. The cut needs to happen within 30 minutes of when the tree goes into the water. The tree can seal itself over quickly. If this happens no amount of fresh water will help. Better tree retailers will make a fresh cut for you after you have picked your tree out. When you get the tree to your home, immediately put its base in a bucket of water. You will then have plenty of time to rearrange furniture and set up the stand while the tree is taking in the water. The tree uses a large amount of water the first five to seven days it is in your house. It’s not unusual for a tree to take in a gallon, or even two gallons of water, each day for the first few days. The key is to not let it run out. The sap will seal the cut over and prevent moisture from being taken in.

How long will it last if you do it correctly? Experience, as well as research in New York and Washington states, tells us you should be able to easily get four weeks out of a cut tree. One of the studies kept the trees displayed for six weeks.

A fresh cut, plenty of water, and a little common sense can go a long ways towards helping you enjoy your tree this season.

For those of you always thirsty for more information, read the following (be warned the last two are not light reading):

Cut tree care article by State University off New York

Research study the above article is based on.

Research study on additives and fire retardants.

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