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( "Pace 10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc. December 16. 1998 Section Two O Christmas Tree by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer Trueman Henderson says some of the people who come to his Christinas tree farm in Newcastle know exactly what they want. "Some people just have to have an eight foot tree, but you ask how high their ceilings are, and they say seven feet. By the time you gel a base on the tree, and a star on top, what arc you going to do?" he says. Henderson grows about nine varieties of Christmas trees on his Metcalf Street farm in the south end of Newcastle. They range from the old traditional Scotch pine to the more exotic types of evergreens. "People arc becoming more exploratory," lie says. Caring For Your Christmas Tree The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario (CTFO) have a number of suggestions for caring for your cut Christmas tree. A Christmas tree is a living thing, and must be looked after as carefully as a cut flower. CTFO recommends recommends following these suggestions to keep the tree fresh and safe. * If you buy your tree several days before you plan to set it up, store the tree outdoors or on a cool porch or patio until you arc ready to decorate. An area that provides protection protection from the wind and sun will ' help the tree retain its moisture. * If you plan to store the tree for several days, make a straight cut across the butt end of the tree about one inch from the end. This opens the tree stem so it can take up water. Store the tree upright and place the butt end in a container of water. * When you bring the tree into the house for decorating, make another fresh cut across the trunk about an inch from the original cut. Use a tree stand that holds plenty of water. * Trees arc thirsty. They may drink up to four litres of water per day, so be sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. A stand which -holds at least four litres of water is recommended. If you allow the water level to drop below the bottom What To Do With Your Tree After The Holidays Looking for ways to dispose of your Christmas tree after the holiday season? season? The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario offer the following suggestions: * Placed in the garden or backyard, the Christmas tree will provide provide winter shelter for small birds. Another good idea is to decorate the tree again. This time, hang it with special treats for the birds: orange slices will attract birds, as will peanut butter spread on tree seed cones. Or hang suet balls stuffed with sunflower sunflower seeds. If you set the tree outside for the birds, remember to carefully remove ALL tinsel. Birds will try to cat the shiny stuff and,it will make them sick. * A Christmas tree is biodegradable. Its branches branches and needles make a good mulch in the garden, especially for plants like rhododendrons which like acid soil. Many cities and municipalities gather Christmas trees on special collection days and put them through shredders which chop them up into small pieces. The resulting mulch is then used in the summer on the flower beds in city parks. * Fir tree foliage can be stripped from the branches and snipped into small pieces for stuffing into aromatic fir needle pillows for the sola or bedroom. Some people also use fir foliage in dresser drawers to give clothing and blankets blankets a fragrant aroma. * Large quantities of used trees make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, barriers, especially at beaches. beaches. of the tree, a seal will form, just as it does on a cut flower, and a new cut will be necessary. * Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, radiators, television sets, and other sources of heat. Turn off the tree lights when you leave and before you retire at night. .* Avoid the use of combustible decorations. Check all electric lights and connections. Do not use lights with worn or frayed cords. And NEVER use lighted candles on a Christmas tree. The CTFO says following following these care and precaution precaution measures should ensure an attractive tree that stays fresh indoors for two to three weeks. "They want to try something different." One tree gaining in popularity is the blue spruce, says Henderson, who is just beginning to grow the variety. He says the tree docs have one drawback, as the needles tend to be sharper than those of other varieties. But, for at least one customer, the sharper needles are the best reason reason to buy the tree. "She said, 'That's good; they'll keep the kids and dog out from under the tree,"' he laughs. In spite of the move toward less traditional evergreens, evergreens, Henderson estimates the Scotch pine remains the most popular Yulclide tree in North America. The breed grows under practically any conditions, he says. "Some farmers would have pieces of ground that were barren, blowing sand, and so they'd plant (Scotch pine) Christmas trees, and they'd survive," explains Henderson. The Hendersons sell about 500 trees a year, most of which arc cut down by customers. Henderson says that way, the customer can be absolutely certain the tree they're getting is as fresh as possible. "Everybody asks you, if you have already cut trees, how long they've been cut," he says, adding lie always encourages people to cut their own. "The trees are right there, there arc good roads to drive on, you can stop right beside the tree almost," says Henderson, adding he loans saws to people who wish to perform the task. As well, after the tree is cut, it's put on a shaking machine to get rid of excess needles, and a bailer to put mesh around the branches. Henderson says there's only one way to help a tree maintain its needles when it is in the home and decorated. decorated. "Put it in water, and make sure the water never gets down below the bottom of the tree," he suggests. Choosing exactly the right tree is very important to a number of his customers, says Henderson. He says people people take anywhere from "five minutes to three hours" to pick the perfect greenery. He even remembers one woman who visited the tree farm early one fall to pick out her tree. When it was chosen, she put a sign on it, reserving it for herself. "You're just telling everybody that this is a good tree," Henderson remembers telling her. "That sign probably moved to five different trees" before she returned to cut the tree down, remembers Henderson. "That sign sold us quite a few trees," he laughs. EVERGREEN - Trueman Henderson has a variety of different kinds of Christmas trees at his Metcalf Street farm in south Newcastle. So far this year, he's sold two trees that measured over 15 feel tall. But, far more popular, he says, are trees like this one. It measures about six to eight feet. „„ . ■W , . "mrnmm • •mmam ■ a • . .vj"' ||:j ~fêi : iÿ. î.9 : $ V#! ïiîî'i 1 0 Q un nu O O O H1X31 BOWMANVILLE BUSINESS CENTRE » «SSSSi'àv 1 , v 1 •vv" 1 ' H ( s I v 1 - : - " V \ ' ' : -V' ■■■' • ' ' ■ /' - ■ Y\V. ; Ï : / Y; V | . ■ . V: . ; Y. ■ ' :/Y /Y 7 . Y . : Y;Y Y",Y : -v .?./ Celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season in Historic Downtown Bowmanville. Relax and enjoy yourself amid the twinkling lights and heart warming displays tr ig displays transforming the 1890's town into a wonderland of : iïMï ■ : V Enjoy special Yuletide entertainment and for the young at heart, Santa will be visiting us on Saturdays during the month of December. For Christmas shoppers, escape the ordinary and browse through our unique stores for an incredible shopping adventure. Whether you are looking for a treasure for yourself or that \ someone special back home, you're sure to discover the perfect thing. - v • " r " ; ' V: . ' ' Y'V ■' 1 . ■ . ; A The Heart ofBowmanville... where the magic of Christmas comes alive in a J ;. _ ° . • .... : : ■ : - • '■ .Y % The Downtown Bowmanville Merchants Welcome You One and All and ivish you a Happy Holiday Season. FREE PARKING In the Silver Street Parting Lot and the Division and Church Street Parting Lot and all of Downtown Bowmanville December 21st to December 25th. • : 'ii i Y Y ï r'-i VISIT SANTA AND HIS ELVES SAT., DEC. 5-12-19 at the Bank of Montreal 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Have your photo taken with proceeds going to the Salvation Army. L U FREE Gift Wrapping at most stores! EXTENDED STORE HOURS Beginning Dec. 6, Mon. - Fri. 9 - 9; Sat. 9 - 5; Sun, 12 noon - 5 (AT PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS) S rsttwi. tifiUi' r 1