Fir real: Local farmers give holiday tree tips
Photo
Luke (left) and Steve Wolfe, employees at Tannenbaum Acres, work together to wrap a tree for travel.
JANESVILLE — Maybe you’d like to support an industry that produces natural air scrubbers.
Maybe you’d like to start a new family tradition that could be fun for years to come.
Either way, Mary Utzig and Paul Schilling recommend natural Christmas trees.
Specifically, cutting your own trees.
Utzig’s Tannenbaum Acres, 4839 Highway 11 West, Janesville, and Paul’s Tree Farm, 16239 W. Beloit-Newark Road, Brodhead, are two local Christmas tree farms that offer a cut-your-own option.
Both farm owners talked about the recyclable nature of natural evergreen trees and the fact that growing trees produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“People think they’re cut out of the forest, but they’re not,” Schilling said. “They’re raised on a farm just like every other crop. And for every tree cut, two or three are replanted.”
Utzig added that the evergreen is a symbol of hope in the cold winter season.
“The evergreen tree is put in your home to remind you that God is there and you have faith in him,” Utzig said.
The two tree farmers shared tips on choosing a tree, keeping it fresh at home and what to do with it after Christmas.
--Dress warmly and comfortably when you go to pick your tree, Schilling said.
Keep in mind you might be hiking through snow-covered grass, tree trunks and gopher holes. So wear your boots, he said.
--Spruce trees are trendy these days, Schilling said. But you might want to wait a couple weeks if you want a spruce. They drop their needles relatively quickly.
Fraser firs hold on to their needles the longest, Schilling said.
Firs have a stronger evergreen odor, Utzig added.
--Think about your decorating needs when you choose a tree. Pines have longer needles, so they’re softer to the touch. The shorter needles of the fir will be pricklier, but the sturdier branches will hold heavier ornaments, Utzig said.
--Plain, warm tap water is the best thing to keep a tree fresh, Utzig said. Ignore the myths that coffee grounds, syrup or sugar are good for trees.
--Fresh evergreen trees are not flammable, Utzig said. But the things around them such as electrical wires, curtains, wrapped boxes or carpeting might be. Don’t put your tree near a heat register, which will dry it out.
--If your tree isn’t fresh cut, use a saw to cut an inch or so off the bottom, Utzig said. Otherwise, old sap will act like glue, preventing your tree from soaking up water.
--You don’t need to put your tree in the landfill, Schilling said.
Leave it in the backyard where it will make shelter for birds or rabbits, he said.
Feel free to put suet in the branches to encourage the birds, he said.
In the spring, cut off the branches and use them as mulch for small shrubs and trees, Schilling said.
--Putting the kids in charge of watering the tree might not be a great option, said Nancy Sonntag of Janesville. Sonntag and her family have been cutting their own tree at Tannenbaum Acres for 15 years.
She doesn’t remember the year, but she remembers it was on Friday the 13th when she discovered the tree was standing in a puddle of water on the carpet. Underneath the carpet was hardwood flooring.
She ended up sliding the fully decorated tree onto a dry patch so she could cut out the carpeting and dry the spot.
Tree farms
--Country Side Trees, W6488 N. Walworth Road, Walworth. Choose from white pine, Scotch pine and blue spruce. Open from now until Dec. 24. Weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (262) 275-5105 or e-mail gbfeltham@genevaonline.com.
--Harmas Farms, N4917 County M, Delavan. Cut your own trees only, including balsam and Fraser fir and white spruce. Bring your own saw. Tree sizes range from 15 to 25 feet. Bailing available. Open Thanksgiving Day and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (262) 728-8381 or visit www.cutyourownchristmastrees.com.
--Out On A Limb Christmas Trees, 7776 S. County Line Road, Clinton. Choose and cut mostly Scotch and white pine trees. Wreaths and roping available. Horse- and tractor-drawn wagon rides and a petting zoo. Free shaking, baling and hot chocolate. Snacks available from local apple orchard. Open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call (608) 676-4372.
--Paul’s Tree Farm, 16239 W. Beloit-Newark Road, Brodhead. Choose and cut Scotch, white and Norway pine; five spruce varieties; Canaan, Fraser and balsam fir. Fresh, pre-cut Scotch and white pine available. Wreaths and gifts available. Open daily through Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (608) 897-2569 or visit www.paulstreefarm.com.
--Utzig’s Tannenbaum Acres, 4839 Highway 11 West, Janesville. Varieties include white and Scotch pine; blue and white spruce and Fraser, concolor, noble or balsam fir. Wreaths, roping and crafts available. Warming house with free apple cider. Tree shaking, baling or drilling. Hay wagon or bobsled rides available. Reindeer and occasional visits from Santa. Open through Christmas Day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (608) 752-9897 or e-mail tannenbm@ticon.net.
--For information on more Wisconsin Christmas tree farms, visit www.christmastrees-wi.org.
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