Document text
Tree shoppers flock to lots, farms Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Greg Snow and Justin Steffens look for the perfect Christmas tree at the Klark Tree Farm off West Main Street in Medford. Across the Rogue Valley, the sale of Christmas trees is well under way. By Jill Briskey Eyeing the Douglas fir that blocks about 18 feet of sky, 11-year-old Justin Steffens has to step back for a better view. "I want to get a real big one," the Applegate youngster says. "This one is big." His soon-to-be stepfather appraises the mammoth, prospective Christmas tree that may take over their living room during the holiday season. "Your mom is going to be thrilled to get that on the top of her van," Greg Snow says. Caring for fresh tree Rogue Valley nurseries, tree lot operators and tree growers offer a few tips that may keep that Christmas tree from turning into a dried-out fire hazard before the holiday is over. Purchase a fresh tree. Ask lot dealers when the tree was cut. Some trees are cut as early as October. Give the tree a good bounce to see how many needles fall off. Stroke the needles to see whether they fall and bend a few to see if they are brittle. If a lot of needles fall or feel brittle, the tree is already drying out. Disinfect and clean the tree stand before using it to stop the growth of certain types of fungus. Klark Tree Farm owner Jim Griffin suggests putting the tree in a large bucket of water as soon as you get home. Let the tree soak up the water overnight before bringing it inside to decorate. Keep the tree away from heaters, doors and vents. If possible, keep the temperature inside the house under 70 degrees. Make sure there�s plenty of water in the tree stand�s reservoir at all times. Try adding liquid tree preserver, available at many tree lots, to reduce falling needles and drying out. Flocking a tree may help prevent a tree from drying so quickly. Turn electric tree lights off when you�re not home or in the same room. Don�t burn candles on or around the tree. Justin�s mother, who is engaged to Snow, has other worries. "Where are we going to put our furniture?" Michelle Steffens asks. "We�re going to be able to see under the angel�s dress!" With the sky darkening, Justin is finally given permission to wave a flag high over his head. Klark Tree Farm owner Jim Griffin spots the flag and arrives shortly � chainsaw in hand � to cut down the family�s choice and haul it back to the parking lot. Around here, he says of the Medford tree farm off West Main Street, "you get to pick �em and we get to cut �em." Across the Rogue Valley, the sale of Christmas trees is already well under way. For Griffin, it�s one of the best times of the year. In his opinion, there is no better place to look for a tree than on a farm. There�s a huge selection, Griffin adds, and you know the trees are fresh. "There�s a lot of work involved, but we have fun doing this," he says. "The kids just love it." An estimated 5,000 trees are grown on the property, but Griffin never has taken the time to count them all. He does know that there are about 3,000 mature trees for customers to chose from � natural and sheared � ranging in size from five to 12 feet tall. A trip to a tree farm may seem a little tame for some. Many holiday enthusiasts prefer hiking into the forest for a natural tree. According to Mike Mitchell of the Applegate Ranger District, 6,941 tree permits were issued in Southern Oregon by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Bureau of Land Management in 1999. "It�s still a pretty strong tradition around here," Mitchell says. "The people that did this as kids are all grown up now and taking their own kids out." Permits to cut trees on federal land cost $5. Participants are given a free map showing harvest areas. For harried shoppers, tree lots are a time-saving choice. Many prefer to shop at lots that donate proceeds to charity groups or local organizations. At lots, trees range in price from $9 to more than $100, depending on the type and size. Stacey Cooper, whose family runs the Medford auto shop Sure Stop, has sold Christmas trees from that business for several years. The popular � and most expensive � tree this year seems to be the Noble fir, Cooper says. "They hold up better, they�re branches are a bit stronger," she says. "There�s a bit of a shortage this season, and prices may be higher." Purchasing a tree at a lot or farm means disposing of it after the holidays. While some choose plastic trees for convenience, others have begun to use live trees. Nursery Manager John Door says living trees have become a popular choice for environmental and sentimental reasons. Door, who works at Good Earth Nursery and Landscape Co. on Jacksonville Highway, says live trees begin selling right after Thanksgiving. "It certainly isn�t for everybody, but it�s a good business for us," Dorr comments. "It�s a way to conserve trees. You have it for years and years to come." Living trees require a little more tender loving care, Dorr says. They should be acclimated to the home several days before they are decorated by moving them from outside, to a garage to a cool room. Living trees should be decorated about one week before Christmas, and then acclimated back to the outdoors, Door recommends. "For the health of the tree, it�s best to put it in the ground as soon as possible," he said. "Winter is an excellent time to plant trees, when they are dormant." Dorr encourages customers to choose a tree that will fit into their landscaping after the holidays when it�s time to plant. "A lot of people give the trees as gifts after Christmas," he adds. "It�s a great part of the holiday season." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.