| The Behrend Beacon How did the tradition of decorating evergreens at Christinas begin? The tradition of docnratmg evergroeru can be triced back to ancient times m Rome and I-’pvpi in celebration of the winter sobrtice. Jo 1519. the first Chnstmas true was displayed in Rip. I at via. Parly decorations included ribbon, food, lace and tin. The custom was later brought to America during the Revolutionary War by Hessian mercenancs. 21 . What is the height of the tallest tree in history? The wort ds billed recorded Christmas tree vm a 221-foot IX'Hclus lir at the Nort ligate Shopping Center in Seattle m 1950, Jn 2001. the tallest arti ficial tree stood at 1706 feet and was displayed at Moinhosde Vento Park. Porto Alegre, Brazil. Also known as the “Peace Tree.” it was made of green PVC tbltage and trad a lightning rod and flashing lights to warn aircraft 3. Can I buy a tree, sight unseen? Yes. Apprc*imately TlO.OOO real Clin slims trees each year are sold via the internet or catalog. 4 « How long does it take a Christmas tree to grow? I Spending on the variety, the average tree takes seven years to grow* 6 fed. the average retail height. Some trees require 15 years of growth to reach the same height 5. How do trees get that perfect shape? hvergroens do not naturally grow into the pic ture-perfect shape that is popular for Christmas trees. As trees grew, farmers control their shape through regular shearing. By using clippers to control the width and fonn of the brandies, fann ers force trees to grow* into the popular cone shape. 6* What are the most popular Christmas tree varieties? The most popular Christmas tree varieties include: famm*'- . wm~ mrnmm feMtf .Jg j 7 . What should I expect when 1 90 to a faim to cut my own tree? I fere arc conic tips from the National Christmas Tree Association: IS Beware of fire-ant mounds, tree sunups, an occasional blackberry vine, uneven ground and sharp saws B Vfear comfortable shoes and old clothes. Bring rain gcur if the weather is threatening. Also bnng several pairs of work gloves, leave your pets at home, or keep them leashed at ail times. ® Saws ate usually provided by lire farm oper ator. « Some farms measure and price their trees individually, others sell them by the toot. Ask about the pneing policy before heading out in the field. » Select the tree that fits your pradetenninod needs t ceiling tophi, type of foliage, etc. i Chock the trunk to be sure ttiat it is sufficient ly straight Keep in mind that pines will usually leave, at least, some crook tn their trunks. Alv< deck that the tree has a sufficient ly loop handle to acconunodalc your stand U Cutung tlte tree is easiest as a tmvperson project. The person who is cutting ustully lies on the ground, while the hdper holds the bot tom limbs up. « Bring the tree to the processing area where it will be cleaned and netted. Netting makes transporting and han dling the tree substantially easier. » When you are chocking out remanto to pick up a tree removal bag It can be used as a tree skirt and then pulled up around the tree to help keep the ffoors clean when the tras is being taken down. 8. Where are most Christmas trees grown? There arc about 15,000 true grow ers in the l toted States, with farms in every state, lire top Christinas tree-producing states are Oregon, Cali forma. Wisconsin. Michigan. Peimsyl vania and North Carolina 0. How much do Americans spend on Christmas trees? Mere than 2* million real Christmas lives wen* sold in 2003., valued al $791 million. The awrape Christmas tree costs $33.80. til iiHI STUilHil'l' tiM Facts, tips and trivia i Jr 'S „> „ ,i£y/ > » about the holiday evergreen '-V ' ' ' '^3 * - ' >Z *- • : ' >-■ *w ' .> -; -v<t / A '■ : MUKO MCMAiXM Friday, December 10, 2004 10. How can I keep my Christmas tree fresh? Proper watering end care are necessary to keep a tree ftwh. The fallowing tip* can keep a tn» fiesh and hydrated through the holiday season: ■ Whim shopping for a troe, choose one that is not losing needles or fading. Both are sign* of excessive dryness. ■ Make a fresh cut before placing the troe to its stand to allow maximum water absolution. ■ The avenge tiee needs I quart of water a day. Adtfctives such as aspirin or commeicLai pow ders one not necessary and could harm the tree. ■ Place the troe away from heat sources such as fireplaces or television sets, which could cauae the troe to dry ad. 11 • Where is the national Christmas tree? The national Christinas trcoean be found on the White House lawn. In 1923. President CooKdg» started the ttaifction of the national Christmas (roe lighting ceremony. 12. Where can I find tire best tree in the United States? Every year, mem bers of Us National Chrutnus Troe Association pick the best tree and name it grand champion. The avtutd-wtrating tree is j«-t»or»ntrrl |q |j]g pfttß. dual and the first fiuni ly each year to be dis played inside the White House. 13. Hat the gov ernment ever mada any Iraa regulations? ThcgcMsrnment onco banned the use of lintel because tt contained lead and was a health board. Today's tinsel is made of plastic and it safe to use. fresidcntfcddy Roosevelt homed Christmas treat Enron the While House fora tone because he thought the tradition was harmful to the environment and wanted to encourage ccnservetian. 14. Am I hurting the environment if I <Sa play a reel tree? Nmety-eigltt percent of Christmas trees are harvested from urau. For every tree harvested, two to throe Medknja are platted in its place. Christina* treat alio create oxygen, which ban fits tu> environment. One acre of Christmas trees caa produce enough oxygea for 18 peopb. 15. Whet ia flocking and why is it used? Hocking is spmyiig adhesive ooating to the branches of Christmas treat. The trenches of a hocked tree look as if they are oorerod in mow. Color* other than while are atso evaitable. 16. Are real tress more popular than art* fidal onaa? Mott people prefer artificial trees bccrntw tiny require little weak. During the 2002 Christmas season, almost 50 peroral of households displayed an artificial tree Only 21 percent used real trees. 17. What are soma popular aMsmativss to traditional Christmas tress? la wanner regions, many people choose to decorate palm trees instead of (he tradi tions) evergreen. Some choose to make their own tree out of everyday dans, such as lights and drinking glasses. 13* Are Christmas trees recyclable? Red Christmas trees cbb he used in a variety of ways after the holi days, Thehunk and branches canbeccnveriodtntoirajkhforthegtgr den. They can also be used at bad feeder* or as a rcrfqge for fish in private pends. 19. Can I replant my trea attar tha holidays? Trass that can bo replaadod, also called *livnig traa." are gaining m popularity. Uviqg trea are sold with their roots intact so Urey can be potted or planted whoa takes borne. 20. Ar* real tr*«« a fir* haunt? Fresh Christmas tree* that are watered regularly are gcaertl ly ad a fire hazard. Lass tfiu 0.001 pen;eat of Christmas trees ate involved 101 Ore. souaciK tHC MAIKMAI CHKtkUIAS ICM, ASSOCIMIOM AIMKICAR HOC* AUOCMttOH. K»l CWmStWM IM( QROMltt amwciahoa iwokks. com GUIttNCM HOMO ft l CORD* Ktr umvKMßfro< im*c*»cxrt«sioii viaemi* CMRISf RAX mt OtOMCIIS AUCCMtIOM President George W. Bush and Laura Bush stand in front of the 200 2 Christmas tree. & four-foot pink turkey feather Christmas tree. Daittel Cooper. fbnUbnh Star-likgnm
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers