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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-12-17, Page 1010 Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Early snow a boon to Christmas tree sales i_ Exeter area By Ben Forrest TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER For a seller of Christmas trees, early snow is rarely a bad thing. Snow gets people in the mood early, said Les Cudmore, who has a tree farm near Exeter and has been selling authentic Christmas trees for about 11 years. Once you get snow, people kind of get interested. If we d have been having rain instead of snow in the November it d be kind of slow. Business is good this year, Cudmore said, though sales have been roughly the same as the past few years. We ve never had any trouble selling them, he said. This was not the case for all Canadian tree farmers last year, who saw the value of cash receipts for Canadian trees decline by a to- tal of $7.3 million over 2006. The decline in sales was a direct conse- quence of a decline in exports to the United States and prompted by the high value of the Canadian dollar, according to Statistics Canada. Imports of artificial Christmas trees have also been increasing the past few years, their value reaching a record S44.1 million in 2007 according to StatsCan. Still, Cudmore finds that those who want a real tree really want one if only for the sake of maintaining tradition. We re selling just as many now as we did five years ago, Cudmore said. Its prob- ably more traditional than anything. Maybe their parents always had a real tree and they just like a real tree ... I don t really know. Naturally, there is an authentic tree in Cudmore s living room at the moment, as there has been at Christmas for as long as he can remember. There is a simple but high standard for Christmas trees in the Cudmore home. Perfection, said Les when asked what he s looking for. He admitted the best of the bunch is often reserved for his own use. Though the farm sells Spruce, White and Scots Pine trees, it is typically the Scots Pines that sell the best. That s generally what s been sold up un- til the last few years by most people, Cud - more said. The Spruce looks completely different from the other two types, he added, and the White Pine is fairly unique. It s harder to decorate but it doesn t lose any needles, he said. The first and second weekends of De- cember are typically the busiest for sales at Trees at the ready Exeter -area Christmas tree farmers Ruth Johnson and Les Cudmore display a couple of the items available at their McTaggart Line operation. Cudmore has been selling authentic Christmas trees for about 1 1 years. (photo/ Ben Forrest) Cudmore s farm, though there are still lots to be had. We ve still got lots, he said, though he anticipates sales may taper off soon. Most people like to get the tree up at least a week and a half or two weeks before Christmas, and Christmas will be here be- fore you know it, he said. Tips for choosing a tree and keeping it safe There are a number of benefits of pur- chasing an authentic tree, but if dried out or improperly kept, such trees can pose a fire hazard. Here are a few tips for finding a safe tree and maintaining it, courtesy of Natural Re- sources Canada (NRC): • Ensure the tree you purchase has not dried out. A tree is likely too dry if it sheds needles easily. To test tree branches and needles for freshness, follow these steps: a) Draw the end of a branch through your fingers. The needles should slide through without coming off. b) Bang the stump of the tree trunk on the ground. If the tree was recently cut, it will lose only a few needles c) Try folding a needle back on itself to form a circle. If the needle breaks or does not bounce back, the tree is likely too dry. If the weather is very cold, hold the needles in the palm of your hand so they can thaw before trying this test. • When it is time to place the tree in- side for decorating, cut three centime- tres off the bottom of the trunk. This will remove dried resin that may impede water absorption. • Immerse the tree in a container that holds enough water to cover the cut. • Keep plenty of water in the con- tainer and be sure to check the water level every day. A two -metre tree can absorb one litre of water in a day, according to NRC. • • • • Do not add anything to the water your tree absorbs. Instead of prolonging the life of the tree or making it fire resistant, addi- tives interfere with the tree's ability to draw up water, thus increasing its flammability, the NRC states. • Keep the tree away from heat outlets and do not allow it to block access to doors or windows. • Ensure the lights that adorn your tree bear the Canadian Standards • Association (CSA) label of approval and ensure all wires and sockets are • in working order. • Do not use decorations that are combustible. • Do not use candles. • Ensure the tree lights are turned off when you leave the house. • Using fire retardant chemical spray on the tree does not erase the need to keep the tree hydrated. • 1• Over $900 raised for orphanage project Paying tribute to Ronalee Allen Fundraising efforts at Exeter s To Dye For helped raise $912 for a planned orphanage to be built in Kenya in the name of the late Ronalee Allen, who was killed in a May 30 car crash north of Hensall.To Dye For owner Becky Carter donated all of the proceeds from haircuts over the weekend of Dec. 6-7, as well as her tips from the last couple of weeks, to fundrais- ing efforts. Carter, who didn t know the family, said she was inspired by Ronalee s 20 -year-old daughter, Breezey, who returned home to the area from Edmonton to take care of her siblings after the accident. Some members of the Allen family went to To Dye For recently to have their hair cut. Pictured from left are Ronalees daughter Makaylie Allen, Ronalee s mom Lorraine St. John, Carter and Ronalees daughters Olivia (front, holding the jar of donations) and Breezey Allen. Ronalee has been remembered not only for her devotion to her own children, but to the over 150 foster children she cared forThe orphanage in Kenya will be a tribute to her love for children.Those wishing to donate can call Hope for the Nations at (250) 712-2007 or mail cheques (with memorial for Ronalee Allen on the memo line) to: Hope for the Nations, 2041 Harvey Ave., Kelowna, B.C.,V 1 Y 6G7.You can also visit www.ronaleesmemorialorphanage.webs.com (photo/Scott Nixon)