A Christmas tree grower southeast of Saskatoon has some tips for people still waiting to choose their natural tree for the holidays.
Ron Chaplin, of the Chaplin Country farm, has been growing different varieties of Christmas trees since 1999. He’s sold about 50 this year.
“Once a year we have to sheer the tree, which means shape it and we also have to control the height so it doesn’t get out of hand,” Chaplin said.
READ MORE: ‘Forget about the plain bottle of wine:’ quick holiday tips from a style expert
It’s important to know your desired tree size ahead of time and to have a way to transport it from the farm or tree lot to your home.
Some factors are a matter of preference: like species, height, width and needle length.
When selecting a tree, try not to break any branches. They’ll drip sap once the tree warms up inside a home.
Similarly, sap will coagulate at the base of the tree after it’s cut, said University of Saskatchewan plant sciences assistant professor Grant Wood.
- Gas prices surge in some parts of Canada. What’s causing pain at the pumps?
- ‘She gets to be 10’: Ontario child’s heart donated to girl the same age
- Roll Up To Win? Tim Hortons says $55K boat win email was ‘human error’
- Ontario premier calls cost of gas ‘absolutely disgusting,’ raises price-gouging concerns
READ MORE: ‘They should try harder’: Is Montreal’s grand Christmas tree ugly?
For the first three days to a week, the tree will suck up several litres of water.
“They’re constantly losing moisture out of the needles and they need to replace that moisture,” Wood said.
Trees can last at least four weeks with continuous watering.
After the holidays, the City of Saskatoon sets up temporary locations for tree collection. Trees are chipped and either taken to the city’s compost depot or used as mulch.
Comments