HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-12-05, Page 52Natural Christmas
Natural Christmas trees are far safer
than plastic ones in Canadian homes, the
president of the Christmas Tree Growers'
Association of Ontario says.
"We've put it to the test," says Harold
Worley of Fournier, Ontario. "We put a
match to a fresh natural tree and another
match to a plastic tree.
"Withe the artificial tree, fireballs of
melting plastic started dropping on the rug
while the natural tree was laden with
moisture and refused to catch fire."
He disputed statements from the Ontario
Fire Marshal's office that artificial trees
were safer than natural ones.
"I'd like to see them perform the same
test, then they'd know what they're talking
about," says Worley. "It's about time this
myth was laid to rest."
"When a natural tree is placed with the
butt end in water, it has a 100 per cent
moisture content. It's impossible to ignite."
The only time natural trees could be
dangerous is if they're allowed to dry out
over a considerable length of time, turning
the moist needles into dry tinder. Pine and
fir are better than spruce for retaining
moisture.
"In most cases, even a tree which has
been cut and stored for a considerable
length of time can be regenerated. When set
in water, it will recover and maintain a safe
moisture content."
1'he secret is to sa inch or so off the
old base. When a natu 1 tree dries out, a
film forms over the old cut which prevents
moisture from being drawn up the trunk into
the branches. Of course, the tree needs a
constant supply of water at its base as well.
The Christmas Tree Growers' Association
of Ontario represents 175 growers and tree
farm operators across the Province.
Some festive drinks for
the holiday party season
Christmas is the time of year when family
and friends gather together to celebrate the
joys of the season and look forward to the
year ahead. For your guests who have a long
distance drive to attend a holiday gathering,
here are three festive, but alcohol free,
drinks from Schweppes, the soft drink and
mixer company.
Schweppes recommends serving each of
the following Christmas drinks in 12 oz.
glasses.
Pour cranberry juice and pineapple juice
over two or three ice cubes in a 12 oz. bar
glass. Add the orange slice and stick cin-
namon and stir briskly.
Let sit for a minute to develop the flavors,
then add Schweppes Club Soda to fill the
glass and stir gently to mix.
Ginger Fizz
4 oz. lemonade, 3 oz. fruit punch, splash
apple juice, Schweppes Ginger Ale.
Over ice, combine lemonade, fruit punch
and apple juice. Top with Schweppes Ginger
Ale, and garnish with strawberries.
Holiday Tonic
9 oz. Schweppes Tonic, 3 oz. orange juice.
Poc►Liinto tall glass; may or may not be
rimmed with salt.
Christmas Classic
4 oz. cranberry juice cocktail, chilled; 2
oz. pineapple juice, chilled: one orange
slice; one piece stick cinnamon (about four
inches); Schweppes Club Soda, chilled.
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Christmas Gift Guide -17
trees are much safer in the home
Across Canada, some 40 per cent of Cana-
dian families still prefer natural trees,
Worley says. Trees are grown as a field crop
with thousands of acres planted and
thousands of full-time employees and sum-
mer students engaged in trimming and
shaping the trees during their life span of
five to 16 years.
"Each year for every tree harvested,
three new trees are planted, mostly Scotch
pine, spruce and balsam fir", Worley says.
The wholesaler - or grower - averages $10
to $11 a tree while the same tree will retail
for $15. to $20. Many families also travel to
tree farms in the weeks before Christmas to
select and cut their own tree, carrying on an
age-old tradition.
"It gives the whole family the Christmas
spirit when they take part in an outing to a
tree farm," says Worley.
Some people complain that once
Christmas is over, the tree is wasted but
Worley says there are many ways by which
the tree's life can be extended. It can be us-
ed as a backyard bird feeder and as a
shelter for birds in storms.
Since a Christmas tree is biodegradable,
the branches can be removed and used as
mulch in the garden while the trunk can be
used as firewood.
Fir tree branches can be cut into small
pieces and stuffed into pillows, adding the
fresh aroma of a tree to cushions for
chesterfields or bedrooms.
Live potted trees are also available. Stan-
ding from two to four feet tall (including the
pot), these trees can be brought indoors for
the Christmas season then set outside in the ,.
garden for the remainder of the year. They
are mostly spruce and fir.
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112 SHOPPERS SQUARE GOOERICH 524-`'424