Times Advocate, 1996-11-27, Page 151 rr� t ri. \i.'Ii1 '► p.m.
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Section - November 2"7, 1996
It's tree -
By Brenda Burke
T -A Reporter
GRAND BEND - Christmas is only four weeks
,away. Have you bought a tree yet?
Christmas tree farms and retail stores are
ready for the tree -picking season. Although a six
•to seven foot tree is a popular height, some are
seeking larger trees, according to Grand Bend
Christmas tree grower Case Vanden Bygaart,
who claims taller versions are in demand for
homes with cathedral ceilings.
Exeter retailer Ruth Miller claims her business
can expect to sell artificial trees at a minimum of
six feet tall. Although artificial tree sales have
remained steady over the past few years, Miller
admits the popular color is green, unlike a past
trend of frosted colorful versions.
Price also plays an important factor in tree
buying this season, with people expecting to pay
$69 to $200 for an artificial tree and $18 to $25 for
a real one.
"I think price is more important. We don't sell
many of the higher priced trees," said Miller.
Although Scotch Pine trees have been
extremely popular in past years, Vanden Bygaart
claims short -needled trees are now in demand.
Along with White and Norway Spruce, Balsam
Fir is popular due to its soft needles. According
to the Christmas Tree Growers' Association of
Ontario, three million Canadian families opt for a
real Christmas tree each year, with an estimated
one million of those living in Ontario. Vanden
Bygaart said some people pick their trees and tag
them as early as Thanksgiving.
"A lot of peoplejust like to pick (trees) out,
themselves," said the Christmas tree
grower who insists the tradition is gaining
popularity. "People are kind of getting away
from artificial trees."
The Christmas Tree association claims
Christmas trees are one of the most
environmentally friendly crops in existence
because each tree is harvested only after a 10 -year
growing period. One acre of these 100 per cent
bio -degradable trees produces enough oxygen to
support 18 people. Also, most municipalities
have chipping programs in place to speed the
process.
Christmas tree grower Case Varkie
en -foot choice for the holidays.
expert displays a popular six to sev-
cheap and cheerful, �;. ri R
p 5atree Ugh
Three weeks of holiday lighting for less than $3?
According to the Exeter PUC, three strings of.25lights using 5 -watt
bulbs that are Ieft on for four hours a day for three weeks cost only
$2.36. Using 7 -watt bulbs adds up $3.31 while miniature strings nab
only 27 cents from our wallet.
ime!
How to
keep a tree
fresh and
safe: tips from the
Christmas Tree
Growers' Association of
Ontario
*lust before bringing the
tree indoors, make a fresh cut
by sawing an inch off the
butt. Then keep it immersed
in water. During the first day
indoors, the tree will take up
the most water. Unless your
stand has a very large
container, you will need to fill
it up at least twice. The tree
will form a seal within a few
hours if its water supply runs
out, preventing further water
uptake. This is the single
biggest cause of premature
drying.
* Buy a fregh tree. Unless
the weather is very cold, a
needle of a fresh tree will
bend rather than break when
it is flexed between thumb
and index finger. When the
butt of the tree is plunked
down, very- few green needles
shote fall tt the ground. It is
natural for most trees to have
some brown needles close to
the trunk.
* Use only CSA approved
electrical decorations in good
condition. Christmas trees
with their butts immersed in
ater will remain safe from
ignition by a point source of
heat for a least three weeks if
installed reasonably fresh. As
a precaution, avoid placing
the tree near a direct heat
source.
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