| Author | Content |
dave
December 17, 2007 9:50 AM Post #4303202
| There are a total of 412 votes:
| We will have a balled & burlap tree this year
(10 votes, 2%) |  |
| We have a tree we cut ourselves (where did you get it?)
(27 votes, 6%) | |
| We purchased our tree from a local lot
(67 votes, 16%) | |
| We mail ordered a cut tree
(2 votes, 0%) | |
| We have an artificial tree
(214 votes, 51%) | |
| We don't set up a tree to decorate
(92 votes, 22%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
pixie62560
South China, ME (Zone 5a)
December 17, 2007 10:56 AM Post #4303232
| I had to chose buy from a local lot. Used to cut our own down off our land until DH cut his leg with the chain saw. With the hospital bill, doctors bill, ect... it ended up being an expensive tree. It was cheaper to let someone else cut it down! |
dmcdevitt
Schroon Lake, NY (Zone 4a)
December 17, 2007 12:03 PM Post #4303275
| We cut a balsam from our property. THey plant themselves, and I thin and pinch them over time, and then we take one that needs thinning again. |
1cros3nails4gvn
Bluffton, SC (Zone 9a)
December 17, 2007 12:06 PM Post #4303278
| we have two frasier firs that came from NC and 3 6' or more artificial trees... what can i say? we love Christmas? |
ViolaAnn
Ottawa, ON (Zone 5a)
December 17, 2007 12:29 PM Post #4303309
| The local psychiatric hospital has a sale of lovely Christmas trees (Balsam from the Maritimes) run by its volunteers each year. We prefer a Balsam fir since they hold their needles well and we will keep the tree up until Jan.6. Most of the growers around here don't grow them or if they do, it's hard to find one tall enough - we've got a 10 1/2 ft. ceiling.
For years the whole family would tramp around in the bush until we found one we could all agree on. It helped a lot if we were good and cold. (In those days, they were mostly spruce).
Ann |
music2keep
Peterstown, WV (Zone 6a)
December 17, 2007 1:03 PM Post #4303367
| We have a tree that my son cut & brought in from the woods. It's a Large cedar that had to be cut in 1/2! LOL Bless his heart - he means well. He got us one last year & the thing was 16' tall! :-O This year I told him to pick out one this year that was a little smaller & I guess that 13' Is smaller! :D
Joey |
carrielamont
Euless, TX (Zone 8a)
December 17, 2007 1:29 PM Post #4303410
| I picked mail-ordered but it was actually pre-ordered - it was cut on Wednesday and we got it on Saturday, but that was Saturday Dec. 1. Since then it's been sitting outside in a bucket of water - until last week, when it became a FROZEN bucket of water. Yesterday morning my husband and kids began to bring it in - the first job, of course, is to trim the bottom. The bottom was in a solid block of ice. So they brought the whole bucket in to thaw. Hours later, no thawing evident. My impatient daughter goes at it with a screwdriver and a hammer. Gives up. We wait. My husband works on the thing for a while. We wait. Finally we get the ice chunk small enough that it will fit in the stand - but then they're screwing it into ice, not tree... and it tilts... and they keep screwing... then it's straight. I watch from my wheelchair. Everyone leaves the room for a minute. THE TREE FALLS OVER!! I bellow, and they all come running back in, and do more screwing and tightening and adjusting - now it's perfect!
We buy it through our church because the trees at the local lots were all cut before Thanksgiving! xx, Carrie |
bigcityal
Menasha, WI (Zone 5a)
December 17, 2007 2:25 PM Post #4303577
| We have an artificial one and we always buy a real one from a church lot also. A Blue Spruce this year - super pokey. Worked many a year on a Christmas tree farm - oh the glamor ;) |
bugme
Barnesville, GA (Zone 7b)
December 17, 2007 2:27 PM Post #4303579
| We had our last REAL tree about 7 yrs ago and placed it in a bucket of dirt...it lasted for weeks. Then went to an artificial one for a few years...that one is gone forever!! We decorate with other Christmas goodies and have a living arborvitae in the front yard that now has red bows all over it, along with nandina berries. |
pixie62560
South China, ME (Zone 5a)
December 17, 2007 2:32 PM Post #4303598
| I'm 47 and have never had a fake tree, it's not "allowed" in my family. LOL Also have never celebrated Christmas without Tourtière pie. |
hopflower
Santa Rosa, CA (Zone 9a)
December 17, 2007 2:46 PM Post #4303656
| We usually get ours from a Christmas tree lot. Usually it is a very small tree. Sometimes we just decorate with greenery; but it is always real. We have a fairly small place and it just does not accommodate a large tree! |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO (Zone 5a)
December 17, 2007 2:58 PM Post #4303683
| Sadly, allergies keep a real tree out of the house. I do have a fresh rosemary plant shaped like a tree and decorated, does that count? It smells wonderful, too. |
carrielamont
Euless, TX (Zone 8a)
December 17, 2007 3:01 PM Post #4303692
| yes, Cathy, that counts, and no trees were killed! |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX (Zone 8a)
December 17, 2007 3:38 PM Post #4303838
| I have a ceramic tree. Actually two. I purchased one each for MIL, DM and myself years ago. MIL passed on and I got hers back. My old one is white, hers and my Moms are green. This is the only tree we use. We are older, with no family nearby and in a retail business. Hardly have time to look up at Christmas. We only have one day off Christmas day unless it is scheduled around our weekend and then if Christmas eve falls... we work. Oh well, it is a pretty tree and I managed to unpack it and "hang the lights" one more time. 8 ))
Merry Christmas!
This message was edited Dec 17, 2007 10:39 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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LouC
Desoto, TX (Zone 8a)
December 17, 2007 3:57 PM Post #4303886
| Too many in our family with asthma for the real tree. Even the plastic has to stand outside a day or two or three to get the dust out with the wind. Also helps to fluff it. Nothing special anymore. Most of the family celebrations are at other places these days. Mainly like to set a pretty table for drop-ins.
Merry Christmas everybody.
Christi |
Sofonisba
Beacon, NY (Zone 7a)
December 17, 2007 4:04 PM Post #4303907
| I have a 3 foot Norfolk Island Pine that I sometimes decorate... don't think I'll do it this year though. Out in the front yard there's a dwarf Alberta Spruce that gets some serious lights and decorations every year. I consider that our Christmas tree, but no one else in the family does. Some years I get up the drive to go out and get a real tree (cut, from the local nursery). Usually, no one wants to help wrestle with it, so generally, we go without an indoor tree.
edited to say: Oh yeah! Merry Christmas!!
This message was edited Dec 17, 2007 11:05 AM |
brigidlily
Lumberton, TX (Zone 8b)
December 17, 2007 4:49 PM Post #4304022
| I voted for tree I cut myself, but that's not exactly true -- I had it cut at a tree farm about 2 miles from me. But that's not the same as a local lot, is it? Bozeman Tree Farm, Lumberton, Texas! Close to 7 feet tall, and at $22, you can't beat it with a stick. I'm not sure what kind of pine it is, but it's the kind that smells wonderful, that's for sure.
It's in my front window, with a gazillion lights, 3 dozen candy canes, and icicles. Looks great! |
dicentra63
West Valley City, UT (Zone 6b)
December 17, 2007 4:55 PM Post #4304035
| Artificial. I have slowly bought larger and larger trees until I have my tallest at 4 feet, then a 3-footer, an 18-incher, and a 1-footer. I set them up as a small forest in a corner by the TV.
Small house, see. A full-sized tree won't fit. Dead, dry pine trees don't inspire me, and I don't have anywhere to plant a real one at this time. |
SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA (Zone 10a)
 December 17, 2007 4:59 PM Post #4304051
| We have had a real tree for most of our lives but out here in So. CA they are getting pretty expensive and they dry up so fast. Last year I was talking to an old friend of mine and I mentioned that I would like to buy a nice artificial tree in the 'after Christmas' sales. She said she had one that they couldn't use anymore because it was to big for their new home and said I could have it. I hadn't purchased my tree yet so she had her husband deliver it to our home the next day. Woopee!! What a big beautiful tree it is.
I am also happy that I am saving my money and helping the environment with using this artificial tree now.
This is a picture of it from last year. I had just finished decorating it, so no gifts under it yet. lol
Happy Holidays to all.
Donna
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pajaritomt
Los Alamos, NM (Zone 5a)
December 17, 2007 5:14 PM Post #4304087
| I used to always have a real tree for Christmas. I married my husband 20 years ago and he had a 6 year old at the time. I learned, after several years of doing all the work of putting up the tree, decorating it, and taking it down all by myself, that neither one of them cared about having a tree of any type for Christmas. So I quit doing it and find I don't miss it. I do put a wreath on our door and we have presents and a very nice Christmas dinner, but I decided to heck with the tree and don't find I miss it all that much. |
FlowrLady
-South Central-, IL (Zone 6a)
December 17, 2007 5:41 PM Post #4304162
| I love my pre-lit artificial tree. I always get scratched up and allergy-ee from a live one. For all the ornaments I have, I should have about four trees! But I don't put all of them up every year.
Most of my Christmas goes on at my DS and DDiL and DGK's house, so the tree is not as important as it used to be. But I can't have Christmas without 'some' kind of tree! |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY (Zone 6a)
December 17, 2007 5:53 PM Post #4304203
| Me, too, on the allergies. I had to give up reluctantly on the real trees. We used to go cut our own. I actually have a bunch of artificial trees in all different sizes. |
soapwort243
South Milwaukee, WI
December 17, 2007 6:07 PM Post #4304237
| Fiber optic and then I burn some pine scented candles. lol |
debi_k
S of Lake Ontario, NY (Zone 6a)
December 17, 2007 6:11 PM Post #4304245
| We have one live tree we cut ourselves, sometimes after an hour or so of looking at the tree farm. We also have three 3-4 ft artificial trees. |
AYankeeCat
Fairfield County, CT (Zone 6b)
December 17, 2007 6:25 PM Post #4304269
| We have a very, tiny artificial tree. That is if I can get it away from my "helper". 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States (Zone 9b)
December 17, 2007 7:01 PM Post #4304354
| SoCal, your place looks festive and great!
Growing up we almost always cut down our own trees on farms. Since moving south it seems there aren't nearly as many Christmas tree farms so we're left with selecting from pre-cut Christmas tree lots. Still...an okay trade if it means we can have real. I just hate storing things and setting up a fake tree would be more trouble.
I used to feel terrible cutting down these trees (carrie, you seemed to have that same view above) BUT then someone did point out to me that there would not BE Christmas tree farms even planted were it not for this single purpose. So for that reason I no longer feel bad about it.
And trees are recycled back to nature where I live so that's even better! I just love the scent of Christmas tree.
Merry Christmas everyone! |
wgnkiwi
Burlingame, CA (Zone 9a)
December 17, 2007 7:34 PM Post #4304452
| We went to a local tree farm and cut our own tree for the first time. What fun that was!!! Our city composts the trees too which is FANTASTIC!!! |
Sofonisba
Beacon, NY (Zone 7a)
December 17, 2007 8:14 PM Post #4304535
| Yankee, I love that photo! |
DonM47
Grand Forks, BC (Zone 5b)
December 17, 2007 9:45 PM Post #4304747
| I bought a Living Tree this year, and after Christmas, I'll plant it outside.
This message was edited Dec 17, 2007 1:47 PM |
DonM47
Grand Forks, BC (Zone 5b)
December 17, 2007 9:49 PM Post #4304757
| Forgot to post the picture of it. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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rachierabbit
Olympia, WA (Zone 7b)
December 17, 2007 9:51 PM Post #4304762
| We have one artificial 6 foot tree, two artificial 3 foot trees and one artificial tabletop tree. To go along with that we have many evergreens in our yard being that we live in the Evergreen State, I love it! |
Petal33
Kingston, ON (Zone 5b)
December 17, 2007 9:53 PM Post #4304770
| I love a real Christmas tree! The smell is wonderful in the house.
Yes it is a lot of trouble but well worth it to me.
After Christmas I put it out by our bird feeders in the snow, the birds love it.
As a ritual, it is the first thing that goes onto the first camp fire in early summer. It’s like paying homage to its life.
In the picture ,the funny thing on the wall is the stove pipe that I camouflaged to look like a deer(rudy) ,but this year we have the fire place in -I miss him...
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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hart
Shenandoah Valley, VA
December 17, 2007 10:24 PM Post #4304850
| I have oodles of pines and cedars growing on my land that can be cut for a Christmas tree but I switched to artificial because it takes about five minutes to set up. And I love the fiber optics. And no needle mess but I do miss the real tree scent. |
rachierabbit
Olympia, WA (Zone 7b)
December 17, 2007 10:44 PM Post #4304889
| Petal- Rudy is darling! |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA (Zone 7b)
December 17, 2007 11:04 PM Post #4304945
| LOL at Rudy. How clever!
We have 2 real trees (one in kitchen, one in living room) from lots, two tabletop fake trees (one in dining room and one in upstairs bath), one skinny fake tree (in family room, always decorated with fishing ornaments) we've had for years, and a really ugly fake tree (on upstairs landing) I got off freecycle this year, which will be offered back up after xmas. This is 2 less trees than last year, but I may not be done yet! :)
Gwen |
Resin
Northumberland
United Kingdom (Zone 9a)
December 17, 2007 11:21 PM Post #4304982
| Quoting:bought a Living Tree this year, and after Christmas, I'll plant it outside ... Forgot to post the picture of it
Stone Pine Pinus pinea if you want the identity
Resin
|
Katlian
Carson City, NV (Zone 6b)
December 17, 2007 11:39 PM Post #4305027
| I picked ball and burlap but it's really a large rosemary in a pot that's shaped like a tree. It gets too cold here for most rosemary so it lives in the garage when it's not dressed up for christmas. Last Christmas we had young visitors so I decorated with bells, as well as the regular ornaments. The jingling bells worked kind of like a motion actived car alarm and no ornaments were broken. |
Kelli
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a)
December 18, 2007 1:11 AM Post #4305279
| I have an artificial tree and my family has had an artificial tree as far back as I can remember. So, strange as it might sound, an artificial tree is part of my heritage. No, don't think that such "artificiality" is typical of Hollywood. I grew up in Pennsylvania.
This message was edited Dec 17, 2007 5:13 PM |
kikisdad
Spring Hill, FL (Zone 9a)
December 18, 2007 2:40 AM Post #4305547
| Man made tree since 1999 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pepper23
KC Metro area, MO (Zone 6a)
December 18, 2007 3:07 AM Post #4305661
| We have a big artifical tree that we put up most years but this year decided to do a small metal tree that holds Christmas cards. So our Christmas tree is made out of Christmas cards that we have recieved this year. |
frogbutterfly
East Wenatchee, WA (Zone 5b)
December 18, 2007 3:16 AM Post #4305696
| I have over 30 varities of trees on the property. I don't think any of them would be too happy with me if I was to bring onto the property a cut tree. No way could I get it by them. An artifical tree is the way to go for us. They are easy to maintain, decorate and no watering required. And we still get wonderful presents to put under its treelike bows. A little pine scent goes a long way to making the area in the living room scene seem real enough...Happiness to this time of year from frogbutterfly. (and the other 11 months too) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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liebkostdrache
Ashland, OR (Zone 8a)
December 18, 2007 5:05 AM Post #4305962
| No tree yet, but will get a live tree so I can plant it later on! :) (Well, as soon as I manage to get time to even begin looking! LOL) :) |
gessiegail
Taft, TX (Zone 9a)
December 18, 2007 5:32 AM Post #4306013
| I grew up with big wonderful Christmas trees and only quit putting them up within the last five years. It is even more fun to decorate the inside with plants and the outside with lights, etc.
If the grandchildren were ever to spend Christmas morning here, I would definitely put a real tree up again! |
weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
Australia
December 18, 2007 10:15 AM Post #4306327
| We have a pop up tree with all the decos attached, It takes 5 minutes to set up (we don't have children) but I have purchased a Wollemi pine this year, which I hope to use in the future as a potted living xmas tree, and when it finally goes in the ground, I will decorate it with fairy lights! |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX (Zone 8a)
December 18, 2007 12:15 PM Post #4306422
| Congrats on the Wollemi! A friend purchased one of the first available. They have an interesting history. Merry Christmas! |
pbtxlady
Garland, TX (Zone 8a)
December 18, 2007 12:49 PM Post #4306480
| We got a pre-lit artificial tree this year. The reason is that we have tall ceilings, so need a large tree. We found that after all the hassle of getting a gazillion lights on a 10-foot tree, everyone was too tired and grumpy to mess with all the ornaments and other things. So we made it easier.
We used to always have cut trees, which we shredded and used as mulch for our acid-loving plants. That was great! But back then we usually went out of town for Christmas, and a real tree was a fire hazard unless we took it all down before we left. Didn't seem to be much point. |
rannveig
Hafnarfjordur
Iceland (Zone 5a)
December 18, 2007 1:42 PM Post #4306584
| Usually we buy a tree from a local lot but last week a big pine in our garden blew over in a storm so we've decided to cut the top off and use as a Christmas tree this year. It is "a tad" wide so there might not be any room for us in the living room once it's up. lol Might have to trim it a bit ;-) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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JanetS
Braselton, GA (Zone 7b)
December 18, 2007 2:06 PM Post #4306639
| We have a nine foot Frasier Fir. It is just beautiful! My children and grandchildren come over with their spouses, and the men get into the truck and go "find the perfect tree". They have a ball, telling stories of years they shopped for others that were less than perfect..lol They bring it home and get it in the stand, and then the girls put on the lights, and we all decorate together, while we laugh, have hot chocolate, and rice crispy treats. It is always one of my favorite days. They are all here for Christmas morning too.
Worse problem is the "taking down" part. We don't have a party for that, so I usually get stuck doing it alone...but I can't do that this year, I can't reach the upper third of the tree! LOL So I guess we will have to have another party to take it down! New tradition! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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JanetS
Braselton, GA (Zone 7b)
December 18, 2007 2:16 PM Post #4306659
| Wow! Nice pine tree, a shame, you had it blow over! |
ROBINDOG
Thomaston, CT
December 18, 2007 3:07 PM Post #4306836
| We had an artificial for 2 yrs. because we left for FL right after Christmas, but I could not stand it, no smell, too perfect. This year, we are not travelling due to husband's age & illness, so we bought a balsam hybrid from a neighbor who "sort of farms". I keep going into the living room with a big smile on my face--the tree is my best present! |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA (Zone 7b)
December 18, 2007 3:35 PM Post #4306927
| JanetS, that is a gorgeous tree!
Gwen |
JanetS
Braselton, GA (Zone 7b)
December 18, 2007 3:45 PM Post #4306957
| Thank you Gwen! I love the way it makes the house feel to have a big lighted tree inside. Some of the ornaments are 36 years old and a lot of them are ornaments purchased for my children when they were young. One day I will pass those on to them, when they get tired of decorating "our" tree and just have time for their own. I know that day will come, but I do enjoy what time I have! |
broncbuster
Waxahachie, TX (Zone 8a)
December 18, 2007 3:59 PM Post #4307011
| Artificial tree every year. Merry Christmas y'all! |
DonM47
Grand Forks, BC (Zone 5b)
December 18, 2007 4:56 PM Post #4307163
| Thanks Resin. :)
However, the label describes it as an Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis), grown at "the Pinery", Escondido, CA.
This message was edited Dec 23, 2007 12:14 PM |
pattysplants
Milton, WI (Zone 5a)
December 18, 2007 5:08 PM Post #4307188
| We cut ours down at a little tree farm that is only open the 1st and 2nd weekend of Dec. They only have firs, no pines. My husband use to cut in down, now our 16 year old son loves to do it. I think he doesn't want to see his dad work so hard at it or he does it so fast just to get back home. Either way it's a fun family outting. Have a Merry Christmas! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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JanetS
Braselton, GA (Zone 7b)
December 18, 2007 5:30 PM Post #4307255
| OH, my goodness, cutting down a tree in the snow! What fun! Love that picture! We took our children to cut theirs a few years when they were younger and all lived at home. It was a wonderful day trip! Normally the places we found would have a fire and a big pot of apple cider...it was a day filled with pleasant odors drifting in the wind! |
posyblossom
Athens, PA (Zone 5b)
December 18, 2007 6:01 PM Post #4307351
| WE used to go to the Towanda Tree Farm when we were young. My DH would cut it down and pop our 3yr old son on top of it while we dragged it to the car. Look what we resort to now that our son is 38yrs old☻ 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dianesjungle
Lubbock, TX (Zone 7a)
December 19, 2007 5:33 AM Post #4309480
| I grew up having an artificial tree. So my first Christmas with my husband when I said he wanted a real tree- I said- what do you mean?! Now I couldn't do with out the real tree! Nice smell, and just the decorations to find a place to store afterwards. PLUS our city collects them back to compost/mulch! |
Dyson
Rocky Mount, VA (Zone 7a)
December 19, 2007 8:26 AM Post #4309587
| We have used the same small artificial tree for the last 5 years. |
Zarebeth
Circle Pines, MN (Zone 4b)
December 19, 2007 3:35 PM Post #4310277
| My mom borrowed my little tree this year. We had it set up in the garage last year - with five cats and a dog there is no way it would survive in the house. |
pattysplants
Milton, WI (Zone 5a)
December 19, 2007 5:29 PM Post #4310559
| Here's our tree getting decorated with my son actually helping. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA (Zone 8b)
December 19, 2007 6:36 PM Post #4310791
| We have a fiber optic tree but I have these Melter pots in my house and burn fir and pine smelling wax and my house smells so Christmas treeish all the time. It helps me fill the memory of a real tree.
Love the little tree and the kitty. |
Sequee
Carmel, NY (Zone 6b)
December 19, 2007 9:57 PM Post #4311255
| With 5 cats and 2 dogs, I opt out on the tree. Instead I decorate the mantel, the china cabinet, and the bar. Festive and safe!
Happy holidays, to all! |
Lily_love
Central, AL (Zone 7b)
December 19, 2007 10:37 PM Post #4311355
| Cutting down a tree just for a few days - weeks of enjoyment doesn't justify its being. If at all possible, I'd prefer a ball & burlap tree so I could plant it outdoor afterward. Since space is limitted, we'll keep on the artificial tree. Spreading the joys of the season by other means.
Happy Holidays everyone.
|
Dave47
Southern, CT (Zone 6a)
December 20, 2007 12:58 AM Post #4311720
| WOW!
72% of DG's gardeners don't have a real tree! |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States (Zone 9b)
December 20, 2007 1:00 AM Post #4311726
| dave47, that's a funny observation isn't it! strange!
we had a fake tree some years growing up that would shed needles like a real one, lol! |
Garden4ever
Plymouth, WI (Zone 8b)
December 20, 2007 1:02 AM Post #4311732
| Two artifical trees here. Want to try to keep the trees in the ground here in Wisconsin. Years of beauty instead of just a few weeks... that and I hate cleaning up all the needles and having the dogs drink the water out of the bottom of the tree! :o)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
This message was edited Dec 19, 2007 8:03 PM |
Lily_love
Central, AL (Zone 7b)
December 20, 2007 1:02 AM Post #4311741
| Dave, guessed because the majority of us gardeners are tree-huggers. We love trees toooooo much. :-) |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH (Zone 6a)
December 20, 2007 3:43 AM Post #4312336
| I'm enjoying all the good tree stories here. So many have warmed my spirit!
We have a real tree this year--and it's a beauty, if I do say so myself!! (-;
For the past few years we had been going the quick and convenient route of using an artificial tree from Hobby Lobby but it just didn't 'do it' for us and we switched back to real. A little bit of a challenge to get up and decorated but we haven't filed for divorce yet... (just kidding). Still have to take it down, so I will keep you posted!
I smile every time I enter the room too. And I'm enjoying looking at all the old ornaments (from 30 years ago when the kids were making those dough ornaments in kindergarten and so on) that we unwrapped to fill up the tree (11 feet tall).
I thought the observation made a number of posts previously about the fact that the cut trees come from the tree farms (most of the time) which wouldn't have even been planted if not for the Christmas tree trade was interesting and on point. Hadn't thought of that before, but it makes so much sense.
Is there a Christmas tree thread this year to post pics? I would love to see more photos...
Merry Christmas! t. |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States (Zone 9b)
December 20, 2007 3:48 AM Post #4312356
| Tree hugger or not there would be many an empty tree farm/lot if trees were not planted for this single beautiful purpose. And to leave something bio-degradeable back to the planet well that just adds to the value. In Texas they recycle the trees to rebuild beaches from erosion. |
Dave47
Southern, CT (Zone 6a)
December 20, 2007 4:01 AM Post #4312404
| Artificial trees better for the environment than farmed trees?
I thought there would be more people with potted trees here. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH (Zone 6a)
December 20, 2007 4:15 AM Post #4312444
|
I'm not sure how the potted tree thing works...sometime ago I read that the good intentions are there when buying a potted tree, but few people can get them to thrive inside a home atmosphere, and then fewer still can plant them out into the garden successfully. We had potted trees for several Christmases and lost all of them to one thing or another...
Which tree to choose is turing out to be an Interesting dilemma...
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posyblossom
Athens, PA (Zone 5b)
December 20, 2007 11:14 AM Post #4312773
| After the Season is over, I haul every real tree that's out for recycle on our street into our yard and make a huge standing "Dried Tree" arrangement out in the back yard. Then after I get tired of my Dried Tree arrangement, I use them to fuel the Chimenea☺ Sometimes the folks in the Hood don't get all the tinsel and ornaments off, so I just leave the decors on till I chop them up for firewood. I have the trees positioned so the needle drop is left behind for ground cover and that way I have the fragrance of the needles long after the tree is dried up and gone☺Some of the neighbors have stopped by to see them and it brings back the memory of their tree they had for Christmas☺
♥Last year I had 10 trees, all standing tall and proud in my backyard☺☺♥ |
lafko06
Brimfield, MA (Zone 5a)
December 20, 2007 1:33 PM Post #4312977
| We cut ours down each year. It's family tradition. We get the biggest tree we can find usually about 9 feet tall and wide. It takes up the entire living room but it sure is pretty!!!!! |
Cordeledawg
Cordele, GA (Zone 8a)
December 20, 2007 1:43 PM Post #4313005
| For the last three years we have purchased a Frasier Fir from a tree farm in North Carolina. My cat loves her Christmas tree. You can't see her, but she's near the trunk laying on a branch. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
posyblossom
Athens, PA (Zone 5b)
December 20, 2007 2:11 PM Post #4313082
| I think I see that kitty in that beautiful Christmas Tree Cordeledawg. Is that her by the gold ball or maybe my imagination is working overtime?☺ |
Cordeledawg
Cordele, GA (Zone 8a)
December 20, 2007 2:14 PM Post #4313091
| I'm not sure, Lu. LOL She moved just as soon as I took the picture. |
mamajack
Fate, TX (Zone 8a)
December 20, 2007 3:01 PM Post #4313219
| lafko06...wish you could show a picture of your big 'ol tree.
and pattysplants...that first picture you posted...is that all the clothes yall wear outside when it snows? that looks like me on a day when it's 40 degrees outside. lol.
i use an artificial tree because my sister is allergic. |
pattysplants
Milton, WI (Zone 5a)
December 20, 2007 3:15 PM Post #4313255
| Hi Mamajack, Yes, that day it was in the upper 30's. That's warm for us here this time of year. Today it's suppose to be 38. That's almost balmy. It's when it's in the teen's that we really dress warm. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Patty |
sugarweed
Jacksonville & Okeec, FL (Zone 9a)
December 20, 2007 3:21 PM Post #4313276
| Often I would get potted Norfolk Pines and do minature ornaments, but now do a 2pc. prelit 5' ready for ornaments in 5 minutes.
;) |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA (Zone 7b)
December 20, 2007 4:13 PM Post #4313425
| Posy,do you have any photos of the dried tree arrangement in your yard?
Gwen |
posyblossom
Athens, PA (Zone 5b)
December 20, 2007 5:23 PM Post #4313593
| I will take a pic of them this year Gwen and post it here, if I do it. I have my very first digi camera new this past fall and I never thought to take a pic of those trees with the old 35mm I have. Darn! I wish I had a pic the very first year I did it. The neighbors thought I'd lost what marbles I have left☺One neighbor relented and helped me drag their tree all the way down the street to our house, but he worried all the way that someone would see us. How I laughed and laughed at the sight we must have made☺the more flustered he got the more I laughed,I should not have laughed so much, he didn't help me last year☻
|
Lenjo
Mount Angel, OR (Zone 8a)
December 20, 2007 9:04 PM Post #4314180
| We grow Christmas trees and so what else would we do, hubby goes out to the field and picks one out, it is a noble fir too. We always use the creche scene at its base and that is what we try to make our focus. I am amazed how many artificial trees after reading all of your posts. We even put a small grand fir tree up in room upstairs where we play games; kind of an extended family room. |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States (Zone 9b)
December 20, 2007 10:13 PM Post #4314346
| I love those upstairs family rooms! And 2 trees, you can't get better than that! |
Lenjo
Mount Angel, OR (Zone 8a)
December 21, 2007 1:15 AM Post #4314796
| Thank you Tir Na Nog, it really is just a big bedroom up there but no kids home anymore so we have just kind of taken over for other uses these bedrooms upstairs.
Merry Christmas one and all. :) :) :) Joann |
greenjay
Centennial, CO (Zone 5b)
December 21, 2007 3:32 AM Post #4315327
| I have allergies, so no indoor tree. But I have happily helped *other* people compost their formerly live trees after xmas. |
bordersandjacks
Seabrook, SC (Zone 8b)
December 21, 2007 11:43 PM Post #4317836
| I have the tackiest little silver tree with pink and glass ornaments. It's way cool. ;*> I just can't bear the thought of cutting a live tree any more. Although, I do have live cuttings on the mantle, etc.
Jenny |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA (Zone 7b)
December 22, 2007 5:51 AM Post #4318848
| Lots of people I know are doing the silver trees and all the retro stuff. They look very cool. I love it that so many different styles are out there for everyone to choose from.
Gwen |
Cordeledawg
Cordele, GA (Zone 8a)
December 22, 2007 12:26 PM Post #4319105
| Talking about those silver trees brings back memories of that turning circular color wheel spot light that I remember from my childhood. The changing colors on the tree would just mesmerized me for hours, or it seemed. |
grannyh
Monroe City, MO (Zone 5b)
December 22, 2007 3:17 PM Post #4319444
| We have a beautiful artificial tree in the house. We decorate the real ones that are growing outside and when it is snowing...
"Merry Christmas" to you all! |
chrissy100
Sydney
Australia
December 23, 2007 7:56 AM Post #4321357
| I put my hand up ...one of those tree huggers,I just can't bring myself to do it ...I am surrounded with Christmas tree farms and there are thousands here, I watch as hundreds are happily chopped down by excited families at this time of the year and that's nice ...I have no problem with it ...I just can't myself.No tree (my same old artificial tree that has seen all my grandchildren grow up)this year not in my home anyway ...my dear husband having lost two brothers and a sister(she passed over peacefully) in my care here in my home only 4 months ago ...we aren't in mourning but we aren't partying either.A quiet and reflectful Christmas for us ...
We do have a huge Norfolk Island Pine though that stands guard
over the front garden ...I truly consider it our real Christmas tree!
A very Happy Christmas to you all
chrissy |
ceeadsalaskazone3
Seward, AK
December 23, 2007 1:55 PM Post #4321556
| Chrissy, my Norfolk Island Pine is indoors and that's what I use, so I didn't fit into any catagory. When we were little we cut our trees, (quite an outing in Alaska, depending how deep the snow is. I remember parking the car and Dad having to stand on it to jump up over the plowed bank, then snowshoe to the top of one and saw it down. Later in summer we found the top cut off 20 feet up, way in the forest unseen by anyone else.
Carol |
rutholive
Tonasket, WA (Zone 5a)
December 23, 2007 3:06 PM Post #4321683
| When my children were small we went out into the woods and cut down a tree. the kids loved that outing. Now only myself I have used a small artificial tree with lights left on and covered with large plastic bag in the garage the rest of the time.
However I didn't even put it in place, but did decorate every other spot in the front three rooms.
Here is dining room table, the lights don't show well, but they are pretty.
Donna
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO (Zone 5a)
December 23, 2007 3:36 PM Post #4321788
| This is so interesting, seeing how others decorate for the holidays. |
Sequee
Carmel, NY (Zone 6b)
December 23, 2007 6:28 PM Post #4322209
| I didn't think to include a photo - just the mantel, bar, china cabinet and foyer table for me. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
woofie
Chewelah, WA (Zone 5a)
December 23, 2007 8:08 PM Post #4322413
| Had my last Christmas tree the same year I got my first rowdy malamute, over 20 years ago. But they do make nice Christmas decorations...here's the front of our Christmas card from a few years ago. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Sequee
Carmel, NY (Zone 6b)
December 23, 2007 10:56 PM Post #4322800
| Oh, he(?)'s gorgeous! And I like the concept - decorate the dog instead of a tree! My poor boys are soooooo lucky - they too get to be decorated for all the holidays! |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b)
December 24, 2007 1:49 AM Post #4323226
| Artificial. In fact 2 of them The 71/2 ft. is in the living room. In the master brdroom which has 3 tall windows on one wall I have a 3 ft. white prelit in the center window. I don't put any decorations on it. I think it looks so pretty at night. Even dh said it did...and he HATES Christmas with a passion.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
gardenmart
Saugus, MA (Zone 6b)
December 24, 2007 8:36 AM Post #4323900
| Artificial this year because we are away from home for the holidays and I couldn't mind a real tree. We have real when we are at home but we have been spending the last few Christmases with my husband's family because his dad isn't in the best of health. But I love having a tree so we put the artificial one up!
Merry Christmas,
Martha |
mamajack
Fate, TX (Zone 8a)
December 25, 2007 3:30 PM Post #4326024
| woofie, i am a past malamute owner...no, what do you call a human who lives with a malamute...definitely not owner. anyway i would love to see more pictures of your guy. malamutes are my favorite all time animal. |
