Know how big tree will be when fully grown before planting in front of house: Dan Gill

This article offers practical advice for individuals and families considering purchasing their first real Christmas tree, emphasizing the unique appeal of a natural tree, such as its scent, the family outing experience of selecting one, and the opportunity to support local farmers. It acknowledges that the process might seem challenging for those accustomed to artificial trees but assures that with proper planning, it can be a delightful holiday tradition. The initial step involves deciding on the tree's placement within the home. It is crucial to keep the tree away from direct heat sources, like fireplaces or furnace vents, as these can accelerate drying and water consumption. Proximity to an electrical outlet is also important to avoid unsightly extension cords. Measuring the available floor space and ceiling height is essential, as trees often appear smaller outdoors than indoors. The typical taper of a Christmas tree is about 2 to 3 feet per 6 feet of height, meaning a 6-foot tree requires a 4-foot wide space. Additionally, accounting for a few extra inches when placing the tree in a stand is necessary. The article then explores options for purchasing a real Christmas tree: pre-cut trees or choose-and-cut farms. Pre-cut trees are available at various retailers, including big box stores, supermarkets, garden centers, and freestanding lots. These trees are usually grown on large wholesale farms and shipped to retail locations, offering convenience for shoppers. Choose-and-cut farms provide a more immersive experience, allowing consumers to select and cut their own trees directly from the field. Many of these farms also offer agritainment activities such as hayrides, petting zoos, bonfires, gift shops, and seasonal refreshments, enhancing the family outing aspect. Readers are encouraged to consult additional resources from MSU Extension for guidance on selecting the right tree species. Ensuring the freshness of the tree is another critical aspect. If purchasing a pre-cut tree, a simple "pull test" can determine its freshness: gently tugging on a branch should not result in excessive needle loss. For trees cut at a choose-and-cut farm, freshness is inherent. If the tree cannot be set up immediately, storing it in an unheated space, such as a garage, with the cut end submerged in water, helps maintain its hydration. Setting up the tree in a stand can be a stressful step. The article recommends using a drill stand, which simplifies the process as many tree lots and farms offer to drill the tree base to fit these stands, ensuring it stands straight. For traditional screw-in stands, it is advised that two people handle the task, with one adjusting the screws while the other positions the tree for straightness. Keeping the baling twine on the tree until it is securely in the stand makes it more manageable to transport and set up indoors. Finally, tips for tree take-down and recycling are provided. To minimize mess, any remaining water in the stand can be siphoned out with a turkey baster or sponge. Laying a bedsheet on the floor and wrapping it around the tree during removal helps contain loose needles. Most communities offer recycling options for Christmas trees, either through curbside pickup or central drop-off points, which can be found by checking local government websites or papers. The Michigan Christmas Tree Association website is recommended for finding nearby choose-and-cut farms, retail lots, and recycling information. #ChristmasTree #HolidayDecor #HomeDecor #TreeSelection #TreeCare #MSUExtension #FarmGrown #TreeRecycling #HolidayTraditions

Evergreen trees provide a visually appealing, cost-effective, and durable alternative to traditional fencing for privacy. These trees maintain their foliage throughout the year, offering continuous screening and aesthetic value to almost any yard. This article explores 26 different types of evergreen trees suitable for creating privacy screens or serving as focal points, detailing their characteristics, growing conditions, and ideal applications. American Arborvitae, known for its longevity and adaptability, is a popular choice for fence lining, typically maturing at 10-15 feet. However, it requires protection from deer browsing. American Holly, a native evergreen, supports wildlife with its berries and offers deer resistance, though it needs winter protection in colder zones. Japanese Holly is ideal for formal shapes and topiaries due to its dense branching and tolerance for severe pruning. White Pine varieties range from towering 80-foot specimens to smaller columnar types, offering a soft, billowy texture and self-mulching needles. Austrian Pine is resilient against urban pollution and poor soil, providing a pyramidal shape that rounds with age. Bay Laurel, with its leathery, aromatic leaves, forms dense hedges and provides a rounded structure. Black Spruce is a tall, narrow, and very hardy tree suited for cold climates and wet sites, characterized by its drooping branches and blue-green needles. Black Hills Spruce, a slow-growing tree with dense branching, makes an excellent windbreak and features the classic pyramidal shape of a Christmas tree. Blue Spruce stands out with its dusty blue needles and thrives in cool, well-drained conditions, making a striking contrast with green-needled evergreens. Norway Spruce is easily recognizable by its pyramidal shape and gracefully hanging branches, with many popular varieties being on the smaller side. Canadian Hemlock, a stately tree with soft green needles, is native to dense forests and dislikes hot, humid weather. Chinese Juniper, with its prickly needles and dense branches, forms an effective barrier hedge, especially upright varieties. Concolor Fir, also known as white fir, adapts to various conditions, including hot and dry environments, and features attractive blue-gray needles. Douglas Fir, admired for its noble, spire-like shape, performs well in moist conditions. Korean Fir, like the 'Silver Show' variety, is a slow-growing, beautiful evergreen known for its striking purple cones and silver-white needle undersides. Eastern Red Cedar is highly adaptable, thriving in diverse environments from rocky slopes to swamps, and features dense, ruddy green foliage. Western Red Cedar, a fast-growing pyramidal tree with soft, scale-like leaves, is ideal for cooler climates and forms attractive, relaxed hedges. Deodar Cedar, a true cedar, is fast-growing and adaptable, forming a striking solo tree with graceful, weeping branches. Japanese Cedar offers a soft, fine texture and comes in various forms for hedges or mixed screens. False Cypress varieties provide a range of shapes and colors, some suitable for trimming into hedges, others for natural growth. Italian Cypress, native to dry, mountainous regions, is valued for its fast growth and upright habit, creating lofty hedges. Leyland Cypress, a warm-climate evergreen, forms natural screening hedges with its columnar shape and varied foliage colors. Thread Branch Cypress is a low-maintenance, compact conifer with striking golden-to-green threadlike needles, perfect for small hedges. Southern Wax Myrtle is a multi-stemmed tree or large shrub tolerant of various growing conditions, providing nectar for pollinators and forming living screens. Yew, known for its longevity, is often used for hedges and foundation plantings, offering dark green foliage and red berries that attract birds, though it is toxic to humans and pets. Finally, Live Oak, while botanically deciduous, appears evergreen due to its leaf retention and forms a majestic shade tree with a broad canopy, though it is highly flammable and should be planted away from homes. #EvergreenTrees #PrivacyScreens #LandscapeDesign #TreeSelection #GardeningTips #HomeGarden #PlantCare #YearRoundGreenery #OutdoorLiving