Anyone using a real tree for Christmas?

[Sumpter]

Here is a video in real time on what happens to a dry tree when a fire starts.
Keep those smoke and CO2 detector batteries fresh, and please everyone have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. :thumbsup:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQT8yOYJKxQ

 

[Sumpter]

Try again. Sorry.


YouTube - Christmas Tree Burn Video

 

[crazyal]

My GF was all set to go cut one down this weekend but Tuesday we got this.

Those are PT 2x10s.

So we'll see what the new plan is, no pre cut trees close to us.

 

[Alan L.]

We always get a real tree. Cut off the bottom and get it in water and it stays green and moist. Plastic just doesn't smell like Christmas.

 

[RippySkippy]

I'm with ya...real trees are the best, at least in my family.

One thing I did several years ago is take a 5 gallon bucket, paint or drywall, cut the ribs off the top.

Trim the trunk of the tree to a V and cut enough branches off the bottom so when the tree is placed in the bucket, they are just above the edge. Place the tree in the bucket nearly centered.

With a family member steading the tree, get a piece of 2" PVC and a funnel and dump the sand into the bucket. Tap the side to pack the sand around the trunk, not hard, just gentle taps. Leave an inch of so space from the top of the sand to the upper rim of the bucket.

With the same PVC pipe, start pouring water into the sand, it'll sit there and burp and gurgle, maybe a couple of gallons of water will fit. The sand makes a fantastic base, and the couple of gallons of water keep the tree well hydrated.

When the sand settles in around the tree, it really grabs ahold and provides a solid base. To remove the tree, just start moving it in circles, and the sand will eventually let go, and you can lift the tree out easily. Store the sand in the bucket for the next year.

Merry Christmas! Be safe.

 

[Sumpter]

I did forget to mention keeping the tree moist, but my point is a dry tree and how fast it will burn. In the area I am in the trees are dormant and it's hard not to have a dry tree. I always have a real tree and cut my own, I enjoy being out and searching for the right one.

Crazyal.....Nice snowfall. Seat time gauranteed :thumbsup::drool:

 

[beenthere]

We cut a live tree every year. Have never had a fake one.
Fresh cut trees are dormant, but still not dry unless they are dead.

 

[Cat_Driver]

At the rate things are being regulated or banned, or politically INCORRECT, a real tree is one of the last bastions or the real Christmas. Am I still allowed to say Christmas by the way?

Nothing can replace the smell of the house when you wake up the day after the tree is decorated.

I feel sorry for the kids today, they may have more "things", computers, electronics etc., but they never lived like us old people did with open doors and not being afraid to talk to strangers.

Ya I will move heaven and earth to get a live tree till the day they make fertilizer out of me for the trees.

 

[ArtMech]

I don't use real Christmas tree (fir) anymore (used in the past with the candles). It's my input to save firs as many as possible. Our familly uses a branch of a fir, and you may dress it quite attractive.

 

[devildog1]

Yes we went to BoB's Trees in Galway, N.Y., have been doing that for as long as I can remember. They have pre-cut trees, all different sizes and if you like you can go out and cut your own.Picked out a nice 8' Blue Spruce, love the smell of a REAL Christmas Tree, Oh Merry Christmas Everyone! Oops, can we even say that anymore without being arrested or offending anyone?
DevilDog

 

[jimmyj]

We are lucky enough to have enough trees on our own land that we always just cut our own. It's great having a real tree!

 

[HiTechTed]

We were planning on planting some around here for future use. I think that if a real one is properly dealt with, you don't get all the needles falling and such. I hate having to store the fake tree and the box weighs a ton. Of course it probably takes 6 or 7 years for a tree to grow to be the right size so in the mean time I might just go cut my own somewhere. My vote goes for the real tree, as long as it's done properly.

 

[TripleR]

My wife and I had to quit using real trees a few years ago due to her allergies; sure do miss them.

 

[forgeblast]

We normally go with a live tree, (the place that sells ours drills the base, and then has a rebar stand that has a spike in the middle with a green plastic bucket with a gasket so that it seals the spike and the tree gets water. but every year we get one i end up getting bad sinus problems from it, it starts when the tree arrives and doesnt go away until the tree "leaves". So that along with having a two year old who likes to climb i went with a 30 dollar black friday 7 1/2' from home depot that was pre lit.
have to say i am impressed, and it was easy, and its pre lit, and the little one loves playing with it and i am not cleaning sap off her.
I will be going pre lit anymore, i can walk to the end of our driveway to smell the trees lol.

 

[picker77]

Are you kidding? I'd be sleeping in the shop for the next year if I came home with a fake tree. :laughing:

 

[check]

Fake works for me! These days they are very realistic and even come preloaded with lights. Have a dog that chews wood big time, and also have to leave the tree unattended for periods of time.

Good points about the smell, however. I think I'll go out and buy some!

Oh, and a very Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and please don't be afraid to say so, and also to give the appropriate greeting to those who celebrate other holidays at this time of year - I'm sure they will be happy to hear it!

 

[Dutch445]

My GF was all set to go cut one down this weekend but Tuesday we got this.

Those are PT 2x10s.

So we'll see what the new plan is, no pre cut trees close to us.

We're in the same boat here, had 31" this week and more coming sunday-thursday. And saturday's going to be nice, but we are booked for the day.

 

[Lurch]

We take a slightly different approach. We have a covered porch on the front of the house and a floor to ceiling window in the living room. We'll buy a real tree from the nursery(root ball wrapped in burlap) and set it on the porch in a BIG pot. Keep it watered and in the spring we have a nice pine to pant in the yard. Cost around here is about the same as buying a cut tree, depending on species.

 

[Alan L.]

Since I hate cedar trees and mesquite trees don't make real purty Christmas trees, we have to get ours at Lowes or Walmart. Usually pay $30 or so for a 7 footer.

 

[grnspot110]

I spent too much time as a firefighter, no real tree in the house! We do decorate a live tree in the front yard though. ~~ grnspot110