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The Helpful Gardeners Podcast | Ep41: The legend of the Christmas Tree

Posted on by Brandi

Whether you love the scent and tradition of going out and finding a real tree or love the ease and familiarity of your artificial tree, how did Christmas trees become one of the more popular symbols of the festive season? We’re going to talk about their roots (haha), types, care, and also a look into some of the more famous trees we flock toward every year.


Christmas Tree Roots & Traditions

Christmas trees are said to have roots in Germany. There’s a story about a “holy tree” and evidence of evergreen “Paradise Trees” which were evergreens adorned with apples and featured in homes on December 24th. that evolved into Christmas Trees which were trees adorned with candles. By the 19th Century, Christmas trees were mainstream in Germany and spread across Europe. It hopped the pond to the US and were popular festive symbols by the 1870’s. Obviously, it takes years to grow a tree, so with increasing popularity, this would impact forests and led to the alternative trees made with goose feathers, potted up Norfolk Pines, or even artificial trees. In the UK, Christmas Tree farms are still a common tradition for many. In many areas of Canada, you can buy a permit and cut down your own Christmas tree in the wild!

READ MORE

 

Christmas Tree Decorations

The first Christmas trees were fir, or yew, and decorated with food and more natural decor. Candles were a popular decor element, but a challenge due to their flammable nature. Christmas lights would replace this tradition for the most part. Tree Skirts were originally called Christmas Tree Carpets and went under the tree stand to catch needles and falling candle wax. How we decorate our Christmas trees is a very personal task. Some people like to follow a specific theme, some like to have multiple trees to represent different things, and some like having a tree full of memories.

 

Types of Christmas Trees | LINK

  1. Scotch Pine
  2. Balsam Fir
  3. White Spruce
  4. Douglas Fir
  5. Fraser Fir
  6. White Pine
  7. Noble Fir
  8. Colorado Blue Spruce

Famous Christmas Trees

Rockafeller Centre

A Christmas experience with ice skating, hot chocolate, and the annual tree lighting ceremony. This year, the 80ft Norway Spruce comes from Vestal, NY.

The Boston Common Tree Lighting  |  Treemont St, Boston | Nov 30th

An annual tradition that celebrates the longstanding friendship between Boston and Nova Scotia that started all the way back in 1917 after the Halifax harbour explosion. This year the lucky tree comes from the Gourley farm in Stewiacke, NS.

Follow the Tree For Boston Instagram | LINK

 

Wood the Talking Tree @ Micmac Mall – Dartmouth, NS (Since 1983)

This family tradition has gained international attention this year! Visit with woody, much like with Santa Claus, and apparently you can get a free tree sapling to take home!

New this year is Woody’s Store, where you can purchase themed clothing, magnets, car fresheners, and more. All proceeds go towards the Izaak Walton Killam Killam Hospital for Children Foundation. 

Spoof Account: Woody The Tweeting Christmas Tree

Caring for Christmas Trees & Post-Holiday

  1. If your tree provider allows you to hold your tree, take advantage of that. Chilled tree lots will keep your tree preserved longer. If you’re required to bring it home, but can’t put it up yet, don’t lay it out outside. If there’s moisture, it’ll rip branches and needles off when you pick it back up again. 
  2. Give your tree a few taps on the ground before getting it into the tree stand so you can loosen any dried needles. 
  3. Always cut of at least 1.5in off the trunk to remove the sap blockage and increase water flow. Place your tree in water right away so it can take it’s “big drink”
  4. Give your tree 24hrs unwrapped to allow branches to settle before decorating. 
  5. Consider using a tree preservative to encourage water uptake and prevent drying out. 

Hypothetical Question of the Week….

“If you were to decorate your Christmas tree with your fav food, what food would it be?

 

NEXT TIME:

We’ll have a holiday special coming up in the next few weeks so we’ll chat more about traditions around the world and next week we’ll be talking more about

 

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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.