Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline - Tuesday, December 8, 1998

Tips for Selecting and Keeping a Fresh Christmas Tree

Suggested Intro:

MORE PEOPLE THESE DAYS ARE LEAVING CHRISTMAS TREES UP INTO THE NEW YEAR. AND AN EXPERT IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SAYS THAT MEANS IT'S IMPORTANT TO BUY A FRESH TREE...AND KEEP IT FRESH. CHUCK GILL HAS MORE:

Story:

(:13) PENN STATE PROFESSOR OF ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE LARRY KUHNS SAYS YOU'LL GET THE FRESHEST CHRISTMAS TREE BY CUTTING YOUR OWN AT A CHOOSE-AND-CUT TREE FARM. IF BUYING A CUT TREE...LOOK FOR NEEDLES THAT DON'T BREAK EASILY WHEN BENT. KUHNS SAYS SEVERAL VARIETIES HAVE GOOD NEEDLE RETENTION:

Kuhns Actuality:

(:14) "THE MOST POPULAR SPECIES ON THE MARKET TODAY ARE FRASER FIR AND DOUGLAS FIR. THEY HAVE A SHORT NEEDLE...THEY'RE A SOFT NEEDLE...HAVE GOOD FRAGRANCE. AND THEY'VE GOT EXCELLENT KEEPABILITY."

(:06) TO KEEP A CUT TREE FRESH...KUHNS SAYS CUT AN INCH OFF THE BOTTOM TO OPEN THE PORES BEFORE PUTTING IT UP...AND BE SURE TO KEEP IT WATERED:

Kuhns Actuality:

(:13) "THE WATER BOWL REALLY HAS TO BE FILLED TWICE A DAY, BECAUSE IF THE TREE DRIES OUT THOSE WATER CONDUCTING PORES CAN CLOG UP AGAIN AND PREVENT THE TREE FROM ABSORBING WATER."

(:08) KUHNS SAYS ADDING ASPIRIN, CLOROX OR SUGAR TO THE WATER DOESN'T WORK...AND SUGAR CAN BE HARMFUL BY PROMOTING BACTERIAL GROWTH. FROM PENN STATE, I'M CHUCK GILL.

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