
The cold snap of fresh evergreen hangs in the air, and Thanksgiving
with the ensuing madness of Black Friday has come and gone. My thoughts
drift to decorating the house for December 25th, and the first step is
to choose the Christmas tree. I am proud to say I have never used a fake
tree, as they are a blight on the season and will never look just
right. I need a fresh tree, and that means selecting my own at a
Cut-Your-Own Christmas tree farm.
Before I Head Out

I like to be prepared, that's a given. I call ahead to the farm to see
what types of trees are available, how many, and the general sizes.
It's not a warm feeling to pull up with the family to find the place is
closed, or that the tallest tree left is only three feet before cutting.
I prefer to pay with cash, because there's no hassle, but many places
will take a personal check so it's worth asking about payment option.
Also, I take time to locate my
work gloves
to keep my hands safe while I cut the tree. The morning of the harvest,
everyone in my family makes sure to wear warm clothes and sturdy boots.
It can get chilly, and we never seem to be quick when selecting a tree.
Boots are important because the older the farm, the more stumps seem to
crop up in the fields, and tripping on one of these could ruin my day.
Also, I never know how wet the fields are, and I like to keep my feet
dry and comfortable.
What To Bring
I enjoy being with as many people as I love every chance I get, so we
invite everyone in the family to join us, from my sisters and brother,
all the in-laws and the grandparents. We like to make a special day by
going together, and everyone can recap their Thanksgiving stories. We
also pack some light snacks for the car ride, but will reserve plenty of room for the inevitable
goodies for sale at the farm. Many of these farms offer coffee, hot
cider, and seasonal snacks like apple donuts so we can enjoy a local
treat and help support the farm even further. As a note, I will toss a
saw into the bed of my truck just in case, but most reputable Christmas
tree farms have saws to use free of charge, so if I forget it, I don't
worry.
Types of Trees
Everyone has their own suggestions and ideas of what makes the perfect
tree, down to what type - I seem to recall my younger sister preferring
Balsam fir tree, while my brother is more of a traditionalist in buying
a Scotch pine. I like a Douglas fir if I can find one, as the smell
alone is worth the effort to lug it back to the truck. There are also
Blue spruce, Fraser firs, and a few types of cedars. Our troops serving
in the middle-east may be familiar with an Afghan pine, decorated to
remind them of loved ones at home.
What a Tree Says About A Person

I can tell a great deal about a person by what type of tree they have
up in their living room. If the tree is full all the way around, has
dense needles, and is neatly trimmed, I know this is a person who
accepts nothing but perfection from everything in life. If the tree
looks great from the room, but there are large gaps in the back where
most folks can't see it, this person values a good deal and cost-cutting
measures by presumably haggling with the lot owner to give a discount
based on condition. If it's a large tree, one that is almost too big for
the room, that person has an inflated sense of self and needs to be
number one in everything they do. If it's that small
Charlie Brown tree, with three scrawny branches and extravagantly decorated to celebrate life, that person has a romantic and sentimental heart.
Cutting the Tree

As I mentioned, most tree farms will have a selection of saws to use
for free to harvest your tree. Once I select my Douglas fir, I will look
it over one more time before cutting it down to make sure there are no
tags on it letting me know someone has already taken it. Usually it will
be a red or orange tag, or even a bit of colored tape. I try to cut as
close to the ground as possible, and I let anyone who wants to take a
turn with a few strokes. Once it starts to tumble, I will cradle it into
a cart, if available, and give a preliminary shake to remove any loose
needles. Then it's off to the farm stand to pay for what I'm sure is the
finest tree on the lot. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $40
and $70 for a 5-7 foot tree. At the stand, the folks running the farm
will offer to even the base, lop off a few lower branches to clean it
up, and even hoist it on top of your truck or car. For these helpers,
who work pretty much on tips, I'll bring an extra $10 to show my
appreciation. Then I head home to start the decorating!
Comments