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The Claringlon/Courlicc Independent, Bovvmanvillc, Saturday, December 13, 1997 Page 15 Ontario Christmas Tree Questions and Answers It takes a minimum minimum of six years for a tree to i become ready j; for harvest Am I harming the forest by choosing a real tree? Christmas trees do not come from the forest! Almost everywhere in North America and for sure in Ontario, Christmas trees arc grown as a crop on tree farms. For every tree harvested, there are ten more coming along, otherwise the farmer could not harvest each year, Are real Christmas trees beneficial? One acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen to support eighteen eighteen people. In the process, C02 is taken out of the atmosphere, counteracting counteracting the production of C02 resulting from human use of fossil fuels. After use, a Christmas tree is 100% bio-degradable. Most municipalities have tree chipping programs to speed the process. Christmas trees no longer go to landfill sites. Isn't tree farming harmful to the environment? Christmas trees are, except for cultivated forests, the most environmentally environmentally friendly crop around. This is because a tree is harvested only after ten years. Ninety percent of the farm must remain in trees all jhe time, to ensure future harvests. How are Christmas trees grown? Christmas trees are grown in seedbeds from seed. Typically after three years they are transplanted into fields. It then takes a minimum of six years, depending on the variety, for a tree to become ready for harvest. The more expensive trees have taken much longer. In the seedbeds, seedlings must be watered during dry periods. In the field they - are cared for by keeping Mown competition from 1 weeds, corrective pruning [ each year and, after they ;are four feet tall, an annulai annulai shearing to give them shape. Grass between the rows is mowed regularly. This keeps down the rodent population and promotes promotes air circulation. Trees must be treated when they are attacked by insects or diseases. Do Christmas tree farmers use a lot of chemicals? Crop protection chemicals chemicals are used by Christmas tree farmers in two ways: 1) to reduce competition from weed growth, only below young trees; 2) to treat a tree, only when it becomes infested with insects or disease, The farmer can use only crop protection materials as licenced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He has also taken and passed a course on safe use of these materials. materials. Crop protection chemicals arc expensive and Used only when there is no cheaper alternative. It is possible, for instance, to control weeds by regular regular close mowing around each young tree, but this is expensive and not feasible on a larger scale, IIow do I know if a tree is fresh? Unless it is very cold, a needle of a fresh tree will bend rather than break, when the needle is flexed between thumb and index finger. When the butt of the tree is plunked down very few green needles should fall.to the ground, Most trees have some brown needles close to the trunk. This is natural, How do I keep my tree fresh? Make a fresh eut, by sawing off about one inch, just before bringing the tree indoors. Then keep the butt immersed in water continuously. On the first day inside, 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! A seal will form within a couple of hours if water runs out, preventing further water uptake. This is the single biggest cause of premature drying. How do I keep my tree safe? Keep it fresh. Use only CSA approved electrical . decorations which arc in good condition. Studies have shown that Christmas trees with their butts immersed in water will remain safe from ignition by a point source of heal for at least three weeks if installed reasonably fresh. Where does the tradition of evegreens at Christmas originate? Use of evergreens as a Christmas symbol started some 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most of northern Europe. First recorded use of an evergreen at Christmas in Canada was at Sorel, Quebec in 1781. The Christmas tree came to the Toronto area in the 1790's. Archibald Orchard Hosts Breakfast With Santa Archibald Orchard north of Bowmanville was the perfect country backdrop for a Breakfast with Santa on the Saturday. After a hot breakfast and wagon ride through the snow- covered apple orchard kids like little Rae Lee Cole found a cozy spot on Santa's knee. Proceeds from the weekend event go to the local Salvation Army. Pam Tile ... Grace Petralito, of Pam Tile, is showing Chris Snoeh and two of her sons John, on the left, and Graham, just some of the huge selection of floor and wall tiles that are available in their shop. Chris discovered that the experts at Pam Tile can offer you expert advice on your decorating requirements and they will gladly provide you with valuable tips if you're going to ta chie the project yourself, if you prefer, the installers at Pam Tile will do the job for you, beginning with a free estimate right up to the finished job. Whether it's ceramic tile, vinyl or hardwood flooring you can count on Pam Tile^ to provide you with total satisfaction. Call th< , T hey'll he delighted to 1 hear trom you, Pam Tile 84 King Street West, Bowmanvill Telephone 623-3929 Maybe Santa Claus could leave this in the driveway!" Jim and Chris Snoeh and their sons, left to right: John, Aaron, Bradley and Graham are shown admiring one of the many exciting 1998 models from Oldsmobile and Chevrolet that arc now in stoch at Roy Nichols Motors. Looking on and ready to help Santa fill driveways with new cars are, from the left: Bill Holloway, Gord Miles and Don Andrews, three of the very courteous staff you'll find at the dealership which is located in Courticc at the corner of Hwy. No. 2 and Courtice Road. At Nichols Motors you'll find a great selection of used vehicles and of course the full line of new cars and trucks from Oldsmobile and Chevrolet. Nichols Motors continues to carry on the tradition of providing fine transportation products to this community, a tradition which began in 1922. Whether you arc buying or leasing, the professionals at Roy Nicbols ailor a di Motors can tailor a deal suited to your budget. Drop by anytime. Highway No. 2 at Courticc Rond Telephone 436-2222