| You know the holidays are right around the corner when
you see fresh bows and smell wonderful wreaths at local
Christmas tree lots. Talking about trees, we've got some
expert advice for picking the best one the first time,
courtesy of Duncan Fanning of Up Country Garden in Toronto.
Depending on where it will be placed, whether it’s
in a tall, loft-like space, a grand entranceway, or
a corner of the living room, or table top, choose your
tree’s height accordingly. Give the tree a spin,
to make sure that all of the sides are full and perfect.
There are many types of trees, such as white pine,
Scotch pine, and balsam fir. Fraser fir is the most
fragrant and the one that most likely to last the longest.
You can usually tell a Fraser fir by the blue undertone
in the needles. Very soft, with sturdy branches, this
type of tree is the best if you’re planning on
hanging a lot of ornaments and lights.
Everybody thinks that the closer it is to Christmas,
the fresher the tree will be, which is not always the
case. Duncan suggests that you make sure the tree gets
a fresh cut before you take it home, and give it lots
of water. The first 24 hours is crucial and may require
3 or 4 fillings in your Christmas tree stand on the
first evening, that's how much water they drink. Duncan
also recommends mixing in a bit of sugar or some type
of soda pop; it helps the water flow quicker.
A little work will help your tree standing green and
proud will past the season! |
