![\"decorated](\"http:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/DSC_1655.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPermanent trees require little maintenance and can be enjoyed for years.\u00a0 Most are hinged, making assembly a\u00a0 simple matter of sliding each section’s center post into the next, then fluffing out the branches.\u00a0 The fluffing is the key to making your tree look full and lush look.\u00a0 In most cases, permanent trees are pre-lit.\u00a0\u00a0 Traditional bulbs come in both clear and assorted colors.\u00a0 They have a softer look than the newer LED lights.\u00a0 LED lights are energy efficient and long lasting, but are significantly brighter than their traditional counterparts. \u00a0 In both types, the lights will remain lit as long as the circuit isn’t broken.\u00a0 That means if one light goes out, the rest will still remain lit, unless you remove the bulb from the strand. \u00a0 Permanent trees can be found in an array of colors from black to red, to purple.\u00a0 However, most of us will choose the life-like green trees.\u00a0 The construction quality of permanent trees is the key to their durability and determines the years of enjoyment the tree will provide.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many newer styles incorporate injection molded branches which mimic living trees with greater accuracy.\u00a0\u00a0 It’s a good idea to have a bulb tester handy as your tree ages.\u00a0\u00a0 Most of them will last 10 years or longer, which means you may need to replace a bulb or two over its lifetime.<\/p>\n
Fresh cut Christmas trees are the preferred tree for most people.\u00a0 Their fragrance fills our homes and delights the senses.\u00a0 There are quite a few types of fresh cut trees available.\u00a0 We stick to those we feel perform best in our dry winter climate.\u00a0\u00a0 Fraser Fir, Noble Firs, Nordman and Douglas Fir are some of the most popular choices.\u00a0 Frasers and Nobles hold their needles longer and have sturdy branches to hold larger ornaments.\u00a0 For a little something different, try a Princess Pine.<\/p>\n The average humidity in Colorado homes is 30% or less.\u00a0 That means the needles don’t retain their moisture well.\u00a0 There are a few things we can do to help.\u00a0\u00a0 First, give your tree a fresh cut, removing two inches from the bottom.\u00a0 then place the tree in a stand that holds adequate water.\u00a0 The larger the water reservoir, the less likely your tree is to run out of water and dry out.\u00a0 You can also apply products that reduce the transpiration rate of the needles.\u00a0 These are sprays like Wilt Stop and should be applied outdoors or in a garage before bringing the tree indoors to its final destination.\u00a0 Once your tree has a fresh cut, is in place and water fills the reservoir, allow your tree to stand for a day or so to insure it is taking up water before decorating.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is important because no one wants to remove the decorations because the tree needs another cut or isn’t taking up water.\u00a0\u00a0 Keep water in the reservoir at all times.\u00a0 Once it runs dry, the tree may stop taking up water.\u00a0 Products like Keeps It Green can aid in the preservation of your tree through the season.\u00a0\u00a0 Please read instructions on anything you plan to add to the water, particularly if you have young children or pets who may attempt to drink water from the stand.\u00a0 If you are unable to prevent them from gaining access to the stand, stick to using plain water.<\/p>\n Decorate your tree with lights appropriate for indoor use.\u00a0 Older outdoor lights are too hot and can easily result in fire.\u00a0 Leave your lights on only when there is someone present to monitor them.\u00a0\u00a0 Remember to follow instructions.\u00a0 Most light strands will tell you not to link more than 3 strands, end to end. \u00a0 Safety first.<\/p>\n The average 6 foot tree takes about 6 years to grow.\u00a0 Christmas trees are grown as sustainable crops,\u00a0 meaning farmers replant their tree fields for future holiday’s use.\u00a0 If you don’t like the idea of cutting down a farmed tree, then perhaps a living Christmas tree is the choice for you.<\/p>\n Living Christmas trees are beautiful and can become a wonderful tradition that promotes giving back to nature. \u00a0 They do have some special needs in order to preserve them.\u00a0\u00a0 Live trees aren’t meant to live in our indoor temperatures for an extended time.\u00a0 Keeping them indoors interrupts their winter dormancy.\u00a0 In order to preserve their dormant period, they shouldn’t be indoors for more than 10 days.\u00a0 They can be kept potted, outdoors in a protected area until the ground can be worked for planting, following their use indoors.<\/p>\n When trees are potted, they are no longer part of nature’s care.\u00a0 It’s up to you to look after them until they can be planted and become an established part of the landscape.\u00a0This means you’ll need to water them when their soil dries about half the depth of the pot.\u00a0 Don’t fertilize them.\u00a0 Fertlizer stimulates growth that would be damaged in the next freeze.\u00a0 Larger potted trees are a bit easier to maintain, simply because the size of their pots provides greater soil volume to protect the roots from freezing.\u00a0 Raised above ground, there is a risk of the root system being damaged from greater exposure.\u00a0 It’s helpful to water them just before a freeze, as this acts as insulation to roots.\u00a0 Well hydrated plants are less susceptible to dehydration from winter winds and arid cold spells.\u00a0\u00a0 Pots can be wrapped in bubble wrap to provide a barrier to the cold, as well.\u00a0 Remember to water them and keep them out of dry winter winds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Christmas tree has been the centerpiece of the home through the holidays for several hundred years.\u00a0 What began in Germany in the 1500’s has evolved into a time honored tradition that has spread across the globe.\u00a0\u00a0 Today,\u00a0 there are many choices available to suit most anyone’s decor and style.\u00a0\u00a0 Typically, these choices are centered … Continue reading The Christmas Tree<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christmas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=130"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139,"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130\/revisions\/139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echters.com\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n