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r r f r\ r- Hints for selecting fresh Christmas tree SECTION t - PAGE 13 - PLA1NDEALER - WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 7.1M3 Now that Thanksgiving is over, thoughts are directed toward Christmas. A major event in preparing for the holiday season is obtaining a Christmas tree to bring indoors for decoration. Although Christmas tree selection is largely based on personal preference, knowing a few tips on picking out trees and characteristics of the different species can be helpful in finding the ideal tree. The (EXTENSION) People Freshness is the most im­ portant factor to look for when picking out a tree. Cutting your own tree is the best way to assure a fresh tree. Several cut- your-own-tree are found in northeastern Illinois an southeastern Wisconsin, and are available as sources, but it would be wise to call ahead first to check on what's available. Call the Extension Office for farms in our area. The majority of trees found on cut-your-own farms are pines. Numerous tree lots appear this time ot year selling trees already cut. These offer a wide variety of sizes and kinds of trees in a small area, as well as the advantage of usually being close by. Care must be taken to obtain a tree that isn't too dry. Look for needles that are somewhat flexible and firmly attached to the branch. Lighting tap trees on the ground; only a few needles should fall. If a shower of needles come down, find a fresher tree. Christmas trees can be divided into two groups, first (short needles) and pines (longer needles). Balsam firs are perhpas the most popular firs. They have short, flat needles that usually are rounded on the tips. A common problem with Balsam fir trees is finding a full tree, as most are tall and thin. Douglas fir are similar, but the needles go all the way around the branch, and these trees usually are quite a bit fuller than Balsam firs. They may appear more of a yellow- green than the deeper green color of Balsam firs, however. Scotch Pines have become the most popular Christmas tree. They usually have good shapes and bushy at all sizes, thus fit into many indoor situations. Needles are arranged in clusters of two, may be quite sharp, and hold on the tree well. Common problems include crooked trunks and poor color. 'I Another popular pine is the white pine, which has long, soft needles arranged in clusters of five. It is often diffiqilt to find full trees, as these trees tend to grow open. Red pines, common on cut-your-own farms, have very long needles, and small spedmans with good shapes may be hard to find. Spruce trees are also sometimes used for indoor decoration. They are not used more because they drop their needles frequently, both while growing on farms and after Now that fail is approaching hive yow cfciancT clewed, repaired ft/t- Iwedlor dn gptowim holing season. Call... GENPS CHIMNEY SWEEP SERVICE 815-943-4927 being brought indoors. Ad­ ditionally, the practice or bringing live trees indoors and replanting later outdoors isnt's highly recommended, because the tree usually dies. After the tree is brought home, make, a fresh cut one bottom of the trunk and place it in water. Cut it either diagonally or at a right angle (a straight cut); research has found water uptake to be equal between the two. Eight angle cuts usually are easier and may support the tree better. Ch6ck the water often and refill as needed. Whether chemical additives to the water help keep needles on the tree longer or not is debatable. Trees will last the longest in cool locations. ^Sgenerai^^™ News Toastmasters name officers The McHenry Area Toast- masters Club, at its meeting Nov. 28, elected the new officers who will lead the club during 1984. Keith Klontz was elected president. His staff will include William Pictor as educational vice-president; Gloria Otth, administrative vice-president; Barbara Riley, secretary; Dr. Jim Lynott, treasurer, and Henry Gass, sergeant-at-arms. The outgoing officers will be relieved of their responsibilities at a joint installation meeting to be held Dec. 13 with the Alpine Toastmasters Club of Lake Zurich, according to president, Jerry Boehm. Art Streich, educational lieutenant governor for Chicagoland District 30 Toastmasters, will then install the new officers of both the Alpine and McHenry TM Clubs. This is a dinner meeting and will be held at Far man's Hotel in Lake Zurich. The next regular meetings of the McHenry Area TM Club will be held Jan. 14, at 9 a.m., and Jan. 23,8p.m., at McHenry High School West Campus. Gueks are always welcome at Toast- masters' meetings. u A irr yj b <d P 'd KJ. ?Holiday~Sale Save 20-30% 'bl on your favorite Drexel and Heritage collections! 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MISSILE INVADER REG. $23.99*1 0.99 4 In 1 SPORTS GAME REO. $17.99*7>99 DESK PENS SET REG. $23.99*1 0.99 GOLDEN SPIKE TRAIN SET REG. $41.09*20.99 OLD FASHIONED KITCHEN CLOCK REG. $10.44*8*99 M C C C A T A L O G O U T L E T S T O R E M C C C A T A L O G O U T L E T S T O R E REVERSIBLE ALL-PRO MEN'S JACKETS REG. $29.99 •11.99 1500 WATT HAIR DRYER REG. $15.00 $6.99 QUARTZ PEN REG $5.99*2.99 AFX RACE SET BIG RIG RYDER REG. $47.99*23.99 JEWELRY BOX REG. $15.00 *5.99 ROOT STARTER REG. $10.19 $3.99 WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF A FRESH-CUT NORTHERN GROWN CHRISTMAS TREE You'll Receive fmis- 20% Off Any of our Christmas Decorations! For Our Feathered Friends Pircliase a Bird Feeder We'll five yoi ny Bird Foil yew tome for the koMays Choose from: DOUGLAS FIR FRASERFIR BALSAM FIR SCOTCH PINE SPRUCE CONC0LOR FIR A fresh cut tree will always take a large amount of water the first 2 or 3 days after it is put up. Ask for a fresh cut on base when purchasing. Always keep water in stand! Planning On A Large Tree? We Have Heavy Duty Tree Stands 26" Suitable for 8' to 15'Trees in-stock CARPET ¥540% OFF our already low prices starting as low as *3.99 sq. yd. ALL in-stock VINYL ROLLS starting at '3.99 yd. •SAVE on over 300 carpet & vinyl remnants Clill.ING S 7CM Don't Let Santa Walk On Ice-Cold Floors! cv'•!'© * 7- .'EvSi f-'- C SALE Buy 1 roll end get the second tree on selected styles - look tor tags m the store "Sold in double rotl p*gs Our present to you... FREE 3/8" PAD! with purchase of any 9'x 12' or larger jute back carpet remnant. WOODSTOCK 1230 DAVIS ROAD WOODSTOCK *338-1440 OPEN MON. & FRI 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. TUES.-THURS: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. SATURDAY: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. * 'w >-* u c*««! hn "48 LOCATIONS IN I STATES"