It's already mid-December, and it's now time to acquire your natural Christmas tree. With the many choices available, numerous questions arise... Which one to choose? How to know if it is freshly cut? How to maintain it so it lasts a long time? Etc. By following these few basic rules, you can fully enjoy your beautiful tree for a long time.
Buying Tips
Buying locally or nearby remains the best option. In addition to minimizing your ecological footprint by reducing transport costs, you support the local economy by helping local producers. Moreover, before being cut, they help purify the air by capturing carbon dioxide and volatile pollutants.
At your local producer, you will mainly find 2 varieties of trees: the Balsam Fir and the Fraser Fir. The Balsam Fir emits a soft coniferous scent and withstands the heat of our homes well. Dark green in color, its branches are supple and flexible, and its flat needles are marked with a white line on the underside. The Fraser Fir, on the other hand, is a bit more bluish, and its needles persist longer on the branches. It emits no scent, and its well-filled branches are more rigid.
What to do with your tree once at home?
Once back home, leave your tree tied up, which makes it easier to handle. Make sure you have an adequate stand with a large water reservoir and an opening large enough to accommodate the trunk of your tree. The fastening system should not damage the trunk and should be easy to handle. Center your tree and secure it firmly. Remove the string and let it unfold for at least a day so that it can regain its natural shape. Make sure it is away from all heat sources and fill the water reservoir.
On the first day, your tree will absorb several liters of water. It will therefore be important to ensure it never runs out of water. Temperate water is preferable to water that is too cold or too hot. Once your tree has regained its initial pyramidal shape, trim the few branches that are too long or too low. Once all these steps are completed, have fun decorating it with your family according to your mood and memories.
After Christmas
The holiday season is coming to an end, and your beautiful tree has played its role perfectly. It is now time to recycle it so it can continue its life cycle. Many municipalities offer curbside pickup or recycling center services. Check the street collection dates so it can be picked up and not left on the street all winter. Depending on the municipalities, Christmas trees are turned into mulch and compost to be reused in urban landscaping or offered free to citizens the following spring.
Some municipalities give them a second life by planting them around natural ice rinks or using them as decorations during outdoor winter festivities offered to residents.
The Norfolk Pine: A Trendy and More Ecological Alternative
The Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is an excellent ecological choice for small spaces! This plant has a pyramidal shape reminiscent of fir trees. Grown indoors in our climate, it can easily serve as both an ornamental houseplant and a Christmas tree. It likes cooler temperatures around 15°C but hates being near heat sources. A trip outside in the summer is beneficial for it.
Very happy holidays to everyone!
Tips and advice
