GlenysThe Christmas Tree - a family ritual for most families in Australia
December 21st 2010 08:29
We lived on a farm and every year Dad would take the children and choose a suitable tree (or branch of a tree) to cut down and bring home to be loved and decorated for our Christmas Tree. Over the years we had gum trees, banksia trees and pine trees. Every year, as they gleefully departed on this excursion, I (Mum) would say, "Remember - not too big!" - but every year they would return with a tree that would hardly fit in the door and always reached the ceiling.
"It didn't look so big when we chose it," was the stock excuse.
The tree always stood in a big tin and held upright with stones packed around the stem.
Decorations that had been freshly brought home from school, and the decorations that had been carefully packed away each year (for many, many years) were once again aired, admired and hung on the tree.
Now we are retired and have to buy our Christmas Tree each year. This year we decided to take two grandchildren to a Christmas Tree Farm where we could wander around and cut down the tree of our choice.
Growing trees to be used as Christmas Trees is an intensive farming exercise. Large areas of land are not needed - 20-30 hectares are ample. The trees are cut when they are fairly small, usually from 1 1/2 to 2 metres tall, so they can be grown fairly closely. They are usually grown in neat rows, rather like an orchard, so they can be pruned, tended and weeded as necessary. Pruning is necessary so the trees grow into the shape people like for a Christmas Tree. Over its life a tree will need 3 or 4 prunings.
Pinus radiata is the usual variety of tree grown in Australia for use as Christmas Trees, but a number of different trees can be grown.
Growers usually buy the small seedling trees from a nursery and are not expensive.Seedlings are planted during winter and not usually watered or irrigated. They can take anything from 3-6 years to grow to a suitable size, when they are cut at the base.
Some Christmas Tree Farms deliver to homes on order, some sell directly from the farm, sometimes the trees are sold in the suburbs from depots or they may be collected from nurseries. Once they are cut they only last a day or two without of water. Farmers are kept busy at Christmas time keeping supplies fresh for market. Unsold trees have to be dumped.
Customers who purchase a fresh tree and care for it can expect it to last up to 3 weeks. It is advisable to set the tree up in a place away from sunlight and draughts. Eventually, even fresh water is no help and the tree will lose its colour and look unattractive.
"It didn't look so big when we chose it," was the stock excuse.
The tree always stood in a big tin and held upright with stones packed around the stem.
Decorations that had been freshly brought home from school, and the decorations that had been carefully packed away each year (for many, many years) were once again aired, admired and hung on the tree.
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Now we are retired and have to buy our Christmas Tree each year. This year we decided to take two grandchildren to a Christmas Tree Farm where we could wander around and cut down the tree of our choice.
Christmas Trees growing on a Christmas Tree Farm in Wanneroo, Western Australia
Growing trees to be used as Christmas Trees is an intensive farming exercise. Large areas of land are not needed - 20-30 hectares are ample. The trees are cut when they are fairly small, usually from 1 1/2 to 2 metres tall, so they can be grown fairly closely. They are usually grown in neat rows, rather like an orchard, so they can be pruned, tended and weeded as necessary. Pruning is necessary so the trees grow into the shape people like for a Christmas Tree. Over its life a tree will need 3 or 4 prunings.
Cutting down our chosen Christmas Tree
Pinus radiata is the usual variety of tree grown in Australia for use as Christmas Trees, but a number of different trees can be grown.
Growers usually buy the small seedling trees from a nursery and are not expensive.Seedlings are planted during winter and not usually watered or irrigated. They can take anything from 3-6 years to grow to a suitable size, when they are cut at the base.
Our Christmas Tree ready to be transported to the car.
Some Christmas Tree Farms deliver to homes on order, some sell directly from the farm, sometimes the trees are sold in the suburbs from depots or they may be collected from nurseries. Once they are cut they only last a day or two without of water. Farmers are kept busy at Christmas time keeping supplies fresh for market. Unsold trees have to be dumped.
Customers who purchase a fresh tree and care for it can expect it to last up to 3 weeks. It is advisable to set the tree up in a place away from sunlight and draughts. Eventually, even fresh water is no help and the tree will lose its colour and look unattractive.
Our Christmas Tree - ready to be decorated
Christmas Eve
*Wishing you all the joys of the Christmas Season*
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