CREATE A TRADITION AS YOU CHOOSE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE, NOVEMBER 2010.

March 19, 2011

You’ll know it when you see it! Choose your “just right” tree from among our large selection of North Carolina Fraser Firs.

Why Fraser? Fraser Firs are simply the best trees for a Florida Christmas. These trees are grown sustainably and are selected for GREAT performance,  even when subjected to our above-freezing temperatures, holding their needles well past Santa Clause! Of course, we handle them as only a nursery will: keeping them well-watered and protected from the elements. Allow us to put a fresh cut on your tree, then take it home to soak in a bucket of water over night. This technique will ensure that your tree gets re-hydrated before going into its stand.

Are you wondering what’s with the names? The name is part of the tradition.

In our family, there are five of us who have to agree on the tree. It has to fit just right in its time-honored location, has to have sturdy branches to hold the ceramic ornaments the kids made, meet Dad’s requirements of not-too-dry & not-too-expensive–PLUS satisfy 3 different pairs of child’s eyes (you know, the kind of eyes that still see the magic). There would always be a disagreement about which tree met all the requirements. But the names would somehow help us recognize just WHO was the tree for us. It always seemed that if we could narrow it down to 2 or 3, one would have a name that brought to mind a special place, time or person. There is something else I have observed. Because our tree has a name, we seem to care more about it! It gets complimented (as we adjust ornaments & tinsel), bid goodnight (as we unplug the lights), cared about (as we water) and memorialized (as it is dragged to the back yard to serve as cover for wintering birds). All on a first name basis! As a result we all enjoy the tradition so much more. And we enjoy sending these individual treasures home with your family. I am always fascinated by how even the youngest child will recall the name of the tree they had last year!

Does it make sense to cut a Xmas Tree? How sustainable is that?

Real trees help the environment from the time they are planted until after the holiday season when they can be recycled.

While they are growing, Christmas trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases while giving off fresh oxygen. Every acre of Christmas trees planted gives off enough oxygen to meet the needs of 18 people. Today in America there are enough Christmas trees planted that 18 million people a day are supplied with oxygen. Also, the farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide a refuge for wildlife while creating a nice scenic view. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soil that will not support any other crops. And when one Christmas tree is cut down, one or two are replanted in its place.

Artificial trees are made from oil-based products that use up our natural resources. They are also not recyclable and will remain in land-fills for centuries after disposal. Real Christmas trees, on the other hand, are recyclable. The branches and trunk are biodegradable and can be made into mulch for the garden. A Christmas tree placed in the back yard will make a nice bird feeder and the birds can also use the trees branches for shelter during the winter winds. Large quantities of trees make effective barriers on beaches to prevent soil erosion. Sunk into ponds, the trees will also make an excellent refuge and feeding area for fish.

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