Wednesday, November 28, 2001
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Wednesday, November 28, 2001 |
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Usher in the holiday season with Christmas trees By MICHAEL
BOYLAN It is now time to choose a Christmas tree. This year, with many fmailies choosing to stay home for the holidays, the Georgia Christmas Tree Association expects close to half a million visitors at area farms. The use of evergreens as a symbol and celebration of life during the Winter Solstice started in ancient Rome. Over the centuries this tradition was incorporated in the Christmas celebrations in the Germanic areas of Europe. The first recorded display of a decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510. Celebrating the holidays with a christmas tree was widely practiced throughout Europe by the 1700s. The tradition was brought to the U.S. by Hessian Soldiers during the Revolutionary War. In 1804, U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn in Chicago used evergreen trees in their barracks to celebrate Christmas. The tradition has grown ever since, with many towns kicking off the holiday season with a tree lighting in the center of the downtown area. There are a number of local farms that will be selling Christmas trees this year. Christmas Forest, located at 822 S. Glynn St. in Fayetteville, will have trees that can be chosen and cut as well as wreaths and tree stands. Christmas Forest will sell Leyland Cypress, Va. Pine and Cedar trees. Phone 770-461-8850. Another tree farm in Fayetteville is the Wee Three Tree Farm located at 382 Ebenezer Church Rd. Trees can be chosen and cut, as well as merely selcted. They will offer Va. pine and Leyland Cypress as well as White Pine. phone 770-487-6397. There are also two farms in Palmetto; Irthus Tree Farm, located at 234 Meadow Chase Way in Coweta County and Spirit of Christmas Tree Farm at 8070 Campbellton Redwine Rd. The Irthus Tree Farm has a variety of trees to choose from but they are potted and balled. Spirit of Chirstmas allows customers to choose and cut their own trees and will also sell wreaths. To reach the Spirit of Christmas farm, phone 770-463-3818. If you are buying a fresh tree this year, remember these tips Determine where the tree will go in your house first so that you will be able to tell what size and shape you need. Do a freshness test. Hold a branch about six inches from the tip. Pull your hand toward the tip. Very few needles should come off if the tree is fresh. Make a fresh cut across the base of the trunk, 1/4 inch up from the original cut. When a tree is first cut, a seal of sap occurs naturlaly over its stump which keeps moisture in the tree. It's important to break the seal to allow the tree to take up water needed to keep it fresh during the holidays. Keep the tree outside in a bucket of water until you are ready to decorate. Keep plenty of water in the stand. Position the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and tv sets. Test your light cords and connections before hanging them on the tree and always shut off lights before leaving the house or going to bed. Phone 1-866-680-5262 or visit www.gachristmastree.com to find local farms, learn about trees and find out about children's activities, etc. |
