Editor: Andrea Kinder Co-editor: Marion Ashley

Turnip News Master Gardener –

Prince William County

December 2013

MG President’s Words Inside of this Issue Page

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Christmas Tree Farms

The Season’s Trees

Upcoming MGPW Events

Annual Philadelphia Bus Trip

Happy  Holidays!  

I  hope  you  are  enjoying  the  cooler  weather!  According  to  most  weather  people  we  will  have  a  good/bad  winter  with  little/lots  of  snow  and  cold.  You  get  the  idea…  Don’t  forget  to  submit  any  Teaching  Garden  or  other  receipts  by  December  15  to  get  any  reimbursement  you  deserve.  The  reimbursement  form  and  instructions  are  on  the  MGPW.org  website,  at  the  bottom  of  the  User  Menu  on  the  left,  after  you  sign  in.  I  am  also  very  happy  to  announce,  in  cooperation  with  VCE,  a  new  webpage  on  our  MGPW.org  website  providing  Master  Gardeners  and  the  public  the  opportunity  to  donate  to  MGPW,  the  Teaching  Garden  and  VCE  (see  MGPW.org  at  the  bottom  of  the  Main  Menu).  It  points  out  the  value  of  such  tax  deductible  donations  to  our  organization  and  also  lists  the  many  generous  donations  of  items  and  funds  that  MGPW  has  received  in  2013.  Please  consider  a  donation  if  you  are  able  to  help  support  our  many  wonderful  programs.  Unlike  many  MG  organizations  in  Virginia,  MGPW  does  not  collect  dues.  Have  a  wonderful  holiday  season!  Ed  Rishell  President,  MGPW  

Picture: Andrea Kinder

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Christmas  Tree  Farms  When  we  first  moved  here,  we  felt  that  chopping  down  a  live  tree  just  to  decorate  it,  put  presents  under  it,  then  dispose  of  it  was  a  very  wasteful  thing  to  do.    We  instead,  virtuously,  bought  an  artificial  tree  at  CVS  and,  my  husband  being  as   clever  as  he   is,   attached   to   this   tree  whatever  evergreen  boughs  came  from  trimming  back  the  trees  that  needed  to  be  pruned.    This    “plumped  up”  the  tree  but  the  result  has  been,  justifiably,  labeled  the  “Frankentree”  in  honor  of  Dr.  Frankenstein,  and  the  creature  he  created.        The  tree  does  serve  its  purpose  and  has  for  all  the  years  we've  been  here,  but  it  is  not  as  elegant,  tree-­‐like  or  sweet-­‐smelling  as  the  real  thing.    In  fact,  the  fake  Christmas  tree  image,  particularly  the  older  sort  I  remember  from  my  childhood,  was  further  tarnished  when  I  happened  on  the  fact  that  the  Addis  Brush  Company,  in  1930,  made  the  first  Christmas  trees  from  brush  bristles  using  the  machinery  they  used  to  make   toilet  brushes  and   then  dying   the  bristles  green.    Since   then,   I   learned,  much  research  has  been  spent  in  improving  them,  making  them  more  fire  resistant  and  perhaps  making  them  look  more  like  the  real   thing  but,   even  with  a  balsam  air   freshener  hidden  at   the  base,   they're   just  not   the   same.    These  days,  most,  if  not  all,  artificial  trees  are  made  in  China.    In   searching   for   information   on   the   benefits   of   evergreen   trees   grown   on   farms   and   to   be   sold   at  Christmas,  I've  found  quite  a  wealth  of  interesting  information.  Evergreens  were  used  before  the  birth  of  Christ  in  celebration  of  the  arrival  of  winter.    There  is  some  confusion  as  to  when  the  first  Christmas  tree  was  decorated  but  Riga,  Latvia  in  1510  was  given  in  several  sources  as  was  Tallinn,  Estonia  at  an  earlier,  unspecified,  date.    In  this  country,  before  World  War  Two,  most  people  cut  their  own  trees,  either  on  their  own  properties  or  in  surrounding  forests.    Eventually,  there  were  farmers  who  would  bring  cut  trees  to  New  York  City  from  upstate  to  sell.  The  first  Christmas  tree  farm  per  se,  is  supposed  to  have  been  in  business  in  1901  on  a  farm  near  Trenton,  NJ  that  grew  25,000  Norway  Spruce.          Christmas   tree   farms  began   to  grow   in  number  after  World  War  Two.      Early  on,   they  were  seen  as  a  means  to  make  profit  out  of  waste  farmland  not  suitable  for  growing  other  crops.    Besides  providing  a  living   for   the   farmer,   they   perform   an   important   environmental   benefit   by   reducing   the   amount   of  carbon   dioxide   in   the   atmosphere   and   the  National   Christmas   Tree  Association   (NCTA)   has   said   that  each   acre   of   Christmas   trees   returns   sufficient   oxygen   to   the   air   to  meet   the   daily   needs   of   eighteen  people.    In  addition,  the  trees  hold  the  soil,  protect  water  supplies  and  provide  a  secure  place  for  wildlife  to  live.    They  can  be  recycled  as  mulch  after  Christmas  is  over.  They  also  provide  a  pleasant  view  to  the  passing  motorist.    The  farms  have  done  so  well  that  now  nearly  98  percent  of  all  natural  Christmas  trees  are  grown  on  Christmas  tree  farms.        

 

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I  was  surprised  to  find  how  labor  intensive  a  Christmas  tree  farm  can  be.  It  takes  from  six  to  ten  years  for  a  tree  to  reach  marketable  size,  six  to  seven  feet.  The  trees  are  best  grown  on  flat  or  gently  sloping  land  with  good  drainage.  After  planting  the  trees  (3  seedlings  for  every  tree  harvested  was  mentioned  as  an  average),  the  farmer  must  deal  with  the  pests  and  diseases  that  attack  evergreens.    If  the  soil  is  deficient  in   any   of   the   sixteen   elements   necessary   for   growth,   fertilizer   is   generally   used   to   improve   the   soil.      Weather  extremes,  severe  cold,  heavy  snow,  hot  and  dry  summers  can  destroy  a  crop.    Most  trees  require  pruning  and  shaping  to  achieve  and  keep  the  classic  Christmas  tree  shape.  Farms   grow   a   variety   of   pine   and   fir   species   but   the   sort   of   tree   you'll   find   at   the   farm   in   your   area  depends  on  where  you  live.      Scots  Pine,  Douglas  fir,  Noble  Fir,  Balsam  Fir,  Fraser  Fir  (Fraser  fir  will  not  grow  well  in  poor  soil),  Virginia  Pine,  and  Eastern  White  Pine  are  all  popular  for  the  northern  market.    In  southern  areas  you  might  find  Eastern  White  Pine,  Red  cedar,  Virginia  Pine,  Leyland  Cypress,  and  Arizona  Cypress,  all  of  which  survive  the  hotter  climate  and  in  Florida  you  would  also  find  Sand  Pine  and  Spruce  Pine.    In  England  Nordmann  Fir,  Norway  Spruce,  Serbian  Spruce  and  Scots  Pine  are  used.    The  tree  grown  will  depend  upon  the  market  to  be  served.    Once  the  trees  are  grown  and  ready  for  market,  the  question  of  how  to  get  the  buyer  to  the  tree  arises.    For  the  farmer,  the  simplest  of  all  answers  is  to  have  the  buyer  come  to  the  farm  and  cut  his  own.    Some  farms  pot  trees  with  their  roots  so  that  the  buyer  can  plant  the  tree  on  his  own  property  later  on.  This  has  the  added  advantage  of  harvesting  the  trees  at  an  earlier  stage  when  they're  smaller.        As  you  will  have  noticed  in  times  past,  when  the  season  approaches,  there  are  many  parking  lots,  vacant  spaces  and  other  outdoor  locations  in  towns  and  cities  where  Christmas  trees  are  stacked,  each  with  its  limbs  bound  up  to  prevent  breakage.    This  method  is  the  most  labor  intensive  because  the  farmer  and  his  workers  must  cut  the  trees,  bind  up  the  branches,  move  the  trees  to  a  place  where  they  may  be  picked  up  and  taken  to  places  where  they  will  be  sold.    To  add  to  the  stress  of  this  method,  there  is  a  short  window  of   opportunity   in   November   to   do   this   so   that   the   trees   are   still   live   and   green   when   Christmas  approaches.  Larger  farms  have  even  used  helicopters  to  bring  the  trees  from  the  farm  to  market,  cutting  the  time  needed  to  bring  in  the  harvest.    We   love   the   sight   of   a   natural   tree,   fastened  with   Christmas   ornaments,   scenting   the   air  with   a   piney  fragrance.  But  not  in  our  house.  This  year,  like  many  previous  ones,  the  “Frankentree”,  with  its  now  fading  green  wire-­‐twisted  branches  augmented  with  grafted  boughs  from  pruned  firs  and  cedars,  will  once  more  stand  proudly  and  defiantly  in  the  corner  of  the  living  room,  with  its  assorted  and  ill-­‐matched  branches  covered  with   tinsel   and  ornaments.    There's  no  avoiding   the   fact   that   this  patchwork   tree  has  become  traditional  and  our  children  and  grand  kids  would  feel  really  cheated  if  it  wasn't  there  to  greet  them  on  Christmas  day.    What's  Christmas  without  family  tradition?    Article  by  Abbie  Panettiere  and  Co-­‐Author  Vincent  Panettiere  More  information  on  page  10    

                                                       

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The  Season’s  Trees  As the December Turnip News goes on line it is annual Christmas tree purchasing time. Following are just a couple tests to determine if your fresh cut tree is really fresh. Next what to do with the tree when its show time is over. If you’re interested in the various types of Christmas trees, and their qualities, the web site of the National Christmas Tree Association will give you all the details. You can offer a little Christmas tree history to your family with this sites information tracing the use of the first recorded Christmas tree in the year 1510. Fresh Cut Trees On the shopping expedition, one freshness test is to pick a few needles and with your fingers bend them. They should snap, not just feel rubbery or limp. Another test, gently run your hand down a branch, no needles should fall off. Hopefully the tree lot where you make your selection will trim one inch off the tree stump when you purchase it. If not you will need to do this at home. This is to remove any clogged wood which will prevent the tree from absorbing water. At home the tree should be erected in a stand with a good water reservoir and checked daily to keep it full. The day will come when the tree has to go. Instead of being a disposal problem the tree can become an asset in your own yard. After removing all decorations and tinsel stake the tree in the ground or tie it to a fence or the bare trunk of a large existing deciduous tree and redecorate it. This time use strings of popcorn, orange slices, peanut butter stuffed acorns, suet, or disposable bird seed hangars. Besides serving as a bird buffet this will also provide birds’ winter protection from strong winds and predators. The evergreen branches can become cover for flowerbeds or larger branches can be chopped or ground for mulch around trees and shrubs. Smaller branches can be cut and stuck in the empty containers waiting for spring flowers. Keeping the container somewhat moist the greenery should last quite a while. For me one year the result was a rooted branch-(but don’t count on it). You can also stake larger branches, in front of your broad leafed evergreen shrubs such as Camellias to protect them from those drying winter winds. Finally, the Chimney Safety Institute advises that you should never burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace, firs and pines have so much sap they can explode sending sparks into the room, or up the chimney, even setting fire to the creosote in the chimney. If you can’t recycle your tree in your own back yard Prince William County provides the following places where you may drop off Christmas trees

Prince William C. Landfill, 14811Dumfries Road, Manassas, Monday—Saturday 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Balls Ford Rd. Compost Facility, 13000 Balls Ford Rd. Manassas, Monday-Saturday7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Leesylvania State Park, Shelter 2, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge, (off Neabasco Road)

For more information on the above sites call 703 702-4670. Northern Virginia Electric Corporation has a drop off place for holiday greenery at 5399 Wellington Branch Drive, Gainesville, from Dec. 26, 2013 to Monday Jan. 13. They also have a program for providing and delivering chipped trees for mulch from December 26 to January 11. Customers interested in this free mulch offer, may contact NOVEC’s right of way Department at (703) 335-0500 or 1 (888) 335-0500, extension 1633 or 1661, or via e-mail at www.novec.com under Customer Services; click on “Products and Other Services” and select “Wood-Chip Mulch.”

 

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Rooted Trees If you decide to purchase a rooted tree, this requires special care to make sure the tree will retain its health. First, when you bring it home, it should be placed in a sheltered space, like an unheated garage or shed for a couple days before you subject it to the heat of your house. The inside location should not be in direct sun, nor near a direct heat source. The root ball should be kept moist. The tree should not be a houseguest for more than ten days. Then the tree should be reconditioned to the outside cold, by going first to that protected area in your garage for a minimum of two or three days. If you cannot plant it immediately place it in a sheltered area with the root ball kept moist and mulched heavily. With this careful treatment you can add a permanent attraction to your landscape a happy evergreen “ghost of Christmas Past.” Article  by  Marion  Ashley  

 

 

Upcoming  MGPW  Meetings  and  Programs  The  Basics  of  Gardening    

The  MGPW  Board  has  selected  the  dates  for  the  Basics  of  Gardening  classes  in  2014.    The  three  dates  are  January  25th,  February  22nd,  and  March  15th  with  March  29th  as  the  snow  date.    Of  course  these  are  all  Saturdays.    The  classes  will  be  held  from  9  am  to  1pm.    The  location  will  be  at  the  offices  of  the  Realtor  Association  of  Prince  William  4545  Daisy  Reid  Ave  #150  Woodbridge  VA  22192.    This  will  be  the  first  time  we  have  held  Basics  on  this  side  of  the  county.    Please  help  on  advertise  this  event.    Brochures  are  available.    Stop  by  to  get  a  few  and  help  us  spread  the  word.    You  can  also  call  Jennifer  and  ask  her  to  email  the  brochure  to  you  for  making  copies.  703-­‐792-­‐6285.  The  Basics  of  Gardening  program  is  the  main  source  of  income  for  MGPW’s  general  fund.        Income  from  the  general  fund  is  used  to  cover  necessary  expenses  such  as  our  website,  the  Memorial  and  the  fees  for  great  speakers  for  our  Master  Gardeners.    This  is  our  way  of  raising  money  for  this  purpose.  Each  Saturday  will  consist  of  three  classes  focused  on  a  main  topic.    The  main  topics  and  Best  Management  Practices  we  will  cover  each  day  are:  Right  Plant  Right  Place  –  this  will  highlight  soil  testing,  soil  pH,  building  good  soil,  Plant  Requirements,  Plant  Selection,  and  Basic  Principles  of  Design.  We  will  briefly  cover  Problem  Free  Trees,  Shrubs,  and  Plants  and  grasses.        Turf,  Weeds,  and  Groundcovers  Disease  and  Insects.    If  you  think  you  would  like  to  help  with  support  for  this  major  project,  please  let  me,  Nancy,  and  Paige  know.      We  would  be  grateful  for  your  assistance.    My  email  is  ljp6651@comcast.net      

 

 

 

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Sustainable  Vegetable  Series  is  a  great  way  to  pass  your  winter  Saturdays.    The  class  is  on  February  8th,  March  15th  and  22nd,  from  10am  –  noon  at  Chinn  library.    Read  more  about  what  you  will  learn:  Come  learn  how  to  grow  your  own  food,  using  nature  as  a  guide.  Learn  how  to  incorporate  sustainable  practices  which  are  good  for  our  bodies  and  good  for  the  earth.  February  8  -­‐  Getting  your  soil  ready  for  your  garden  March  15  -­‐  Using  best  practices  in  your  vegetable  garden  March  22  -­‐  Plant  families  and  how  to  manage  them    Philadelphia  Flower  Show  Bus  Trip  Would  you  believe  it  is  time  to  sign  up  for  the  Philadelphia  Flower  Show  Bus  Trip?    We  will  be  going  on  Wednesday  March  5th  2014.    Save  the  Dates:      Recertification/Annual  Meeting  for  all  Master  Gardeners  will  be  Monday,  January  6th  2014.    It  is  from  630pm-­‐  830pm  at  the  Edward  Kelly  Leadership  Center,  14715  Bristow  Rd  Manassas  VA.    The  State  Master  Gardener  Coordinator  and  his  assistant  will  be  speaking.    Come  and  meet  David  Close  and  John  Freeborn.    Saturday,  January  11th  at  9am  Training  Class  for  the  Audubon@Home  program.    This  is  for  interns  and  anyone  else  who  is  interested.    Any  questions  send  Leslie  and  email  at  ljp6651@comcast.net  .    It  will  be  held  in  the  CSB  Room  at  Sudley  North.  Saturday,  February  8th  Pruning  Class  at  the  Monastery.    Starts  at  130pm  in  the  Subiaco  Room.    Dress  for  the  weather.  Sunday,  February  16th  Lecture  by  Doug  Tallamy,  author  of  Bringing  Nature  Home.    2pm  at  the  Manassas  Park  Community  Center.  March  22nd  Dedication  of  Memorial  Garden’s  New  Brick.    This  will  be  at  11  am  at  the  Teaching  Garden.  March  27th  Pocket  Meadows  with  Kevin  Munroe  7pm  at  Chinn  Library,  following  the  MGPW  Board  meeting  at  530pm.  Circle  of  Love  at  St  Benedict  Monastery  will  be  May  31st  2014.    We  will  be  giving  tours  of  the  Teaching  Garden  and  also  selling  flowers  from  our  Spring  Plant  Sale.    If  you  would  like  to  help  out  please  let  Leslie  know.    Ljp6651@comcast.net    Master  Gardener  College  2014  will  be  June  25-­‐29  2014  at  Virginia  Tech.    The  Steward  program  this  year  will  be  Land  Steward.    Consider  attending  this  year.    If  you  have  any  questions  talk  with  Nancy  Berlin.    MGPW  Reimbursements  

Reimbursements  form  MGPW  for  supplies  bought  for  any  project  we  undertake  are  given  with  proper  documentation  of  your  receipts  and  the  designated  form  Rob  Powers  has  updated.    Please  be  advised  that  for  2014  all  receipts  must  be  submitted  within  6  months  of  purchase  and  by  the  15th  of  December.    The  Board  appreciates  your  understanding  and  help  with  closing  out  our  budgets  before  the  end  of  each  year.  

 

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Turnip News

End  of  the  Season  at  the  Teaching  Garden  

Here  we  are  in  December.    I  do  wonder  how  this  year  passed  so  quickly.    We  had  a  great  year  in  the  Garden.    Kathy  Burch  is  always  saying:  “The  Garden  is  just  beautiful”  and  it  doesn’t  matter  which  season  we  are  speaking  about.    This  is  because  of  all  the  Bed  Leaders  and  the  help  from  Master  Gardener  Interns  and  veterans.    I  appreciate  you  all  giving  of  your  time  and  talents  to  support  the  Garden.    I  can  hardly  wait  until  next  season  to  see  what  we  beauty  we  create.  If  you  have  time  and  want  a  sneak  peak,  drive  out  and  see  our  Zen  Bed.    The  hard  part  of  the  renovation  is  done.    More  plants  will  be  added  in  the  spring.    Sally  Peterson  and  Trish  Bendorf  and  their  crew  of  helpers  accomplished  a  lot  with  all  their  hard  work  and  preparation.  Next  season  we  will  be  busy  as  ever  and  remember  we  always  can  use  more  help.    We  will  see  Mary  Wright  renovating  the  Celebration  Garden  back  to  a  red,  white,  and  blue  theme.        

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Picture:  Sally  Peterson    

By  Leslie  Paulson  

   

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8

Turnip News

Annual  Meeting   The  following  notice  was  mailed  to  each  active  Master  Gardener  on  November  8,  2013.  Please  note  the  two  important  agenda  items  we  will  consider.      Comments  regarding  the  proposed  revisions  to  the  Bylaws  have  been  positive  and  helpful.  The  final  revised  version  approved  by  the  MGPW  Board  has  been  posted  on  the  MGPW.org  website.  Hopefully,  by  giving  all  Master  Gardeners  an  opportunity  to  discuss  the  changes  and  suggest  improvements  ahead  of  time,  we  will  be  able  to  minimize  the  amount  of  time  needed  to  do  during  the  Annual  Meeting  at  Recertification.   Dear  member  of  Master  Gardeners  of  Prince  William,  In  accordance  with  Article  VII,  Section  2  of  the  Bylaws  of  Master  Gardeners  of  Prince  William  (MGPW),  the  Executive  Board  is  hereby  providing  notification  of  the  MGPW  Annual  Meeting  to  be  held  on  Monday,  January  6,  2014  as  part  of  the  Master  Gardener  Recertification  agenda  between  6:30  pm  and  8:30  pm  at  the  Edward  Kelly  Leadership  Center,    14715  Bristow  Rd,  Manassas,  Virginia.    The  Annual  Meeting  of  MGPW  will  include  the  following  two  agenda  items:  

• Election  of  MGPW  Officers  o Nominees  are:  Bill  Willis  for  President-­‐Elect,  Rob  Powers  for  Treasurer,  Beth  Marty  for  Secretary  

and  Don  Peschka  for  Member-­‐at-­‐Large  o Nominations  will  also  be  accepted  from  the  floor  

• Vote  on  the  proposed  revisions  to  the  Bylaws.  o See  existing  and  proposed  revisions  MGPW  website  at    http://www.mgpw.org/    

 If  you  have  any  questions,  please  contact  Ed  Rishell,  President  of  MGPW  at  ed.rishell@verizon.net  .  In  the  event  of  bad  weather,  and  if  the  Recertification  meeting  is  rescheduled,  the  MGPW  Annual  Meeting  will  likewise  be  rescheduled  to  the  same  date,  time  and  location.    Sincerely,    The  Executive  Board  of  MGPW      

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9

Turnip News

Master  Gardeners  of  Prince  William  sponsored  bus  trip  to  the  PHILADELPHIA  FLOWER  SHOW  Wednesday,  March  5,  2014  

ARTiculture!  

Art's   influence   in  gardening is   the  theme  for   the  2014  flower  show.   It  will   focus  on  how  landscapes,  gardens  and  floral  arrangements  have  inspired  artists  from  the  Old  Masters  to  the   Impressionists   to   today's   Post   Modernists.   The   main-­‐entry   feature   will   include   20-­‐foot-­‐tall   frames   of   plants   representing   famous   paintings   and   sculptures   created  throughout  the  centuries.    As  in  the  past  2  years,  high-­‐tech  features  will  be  woven  in,  such  as   digital   projections,   3D   special   effects   and   interactive   elements.   The   participating  landscapers  and  florists  also  will  show  how  working  with  plants  is  an  art  form  itself.  You'll  have  more  time  to  view  the  world's  largest  indoor  horticultural  exhibition,  shop  for  plants  and  gifts,  sample  wines  and  spirits,  attend  special  events  and  activities,  and  stop  to  smell  the  roses  -­‐  there  will  be  thousands  of  them.    

6:15  am     Meet  motor  coach  at  VCE  Extension  Office  6:30  am     Depart  for  Philadelphia  Convention  Center  9:30  am     Arrive  at  Flower  Show  6:15  pm     Meet  motor  coach  in  designated  area  6:30  pm     Depart  Flower  Show  for  home  9:30  pm     Approximate  arrival  back  to  Extension  Office    Price  includes  deluxe  motor  coach  transportation,  admission  to  flower  show,  and  morning  snack,  and  driver  gratuity.    VCE  Extension  Office  is  located  at  8033  Ashton  Ave  Manassas  VA  20109,  next  to  Bull  Run  Library.  Questions?    Call  the  Extension  Horticulture  Help  Desk-­‐-­‐703-­‐792-­‐7747  or  Jennifer  Graham  703-­‐792-­‐6285  or  email  master_gardener@pwcgov.org.    PRICE  PER  PERSON  =  $85  This  payment  will  reserve  your  seat.    Price  includes  deluxe  motor  coach  transportation,  admission  to  the  flower  show,  a  morning  snack,  and  driver  gratuity.    Make  checks  payable  to  “MGPW”  and  mail  with  note  to  Philly  Flower  Show,  8033  Ashton  Avenue,  Suite  105;  Manassas,  VA  20109.    PLEASE  INCLUDE  A  CONTACT  NUMBER  AND  AN  EMAIL  WHERE  YOU  CAN  BE  REACHED.    Cancellation  Policy:  Refunds  will  be  offered  if  a  substitute  passenger  can  be  found.  If  the  bus  is  cancelled  due  to  weather  at  last  minute,  refunds  will  be  given  only  after  monies  are  refunded  by  the  Philadelphia  Horticultural  Society  and  the  bus  company  and  all  costs  are  divided  evenly.  

MGPW and VCE and their representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided.

 

Happy Holidays! Picture: Andrea Kinder

Christmas Tree Farms Information Christmas  Tree  Farms  http://www.realchristmastrees.org/dnn/default.aspx  National  Christmas  Tree  Association  FACT!    http://www.realchristmastrees.org/dnn/Education/EnvironmentalBenefits.aspx  Environmental  Benefits  Real  Christmas  Trees:  The  Best  Choice  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree_cultivation  Wikipedia,  the  free  encyclopedia  Christmas  tree  cultivation  http://urbanext.illinois.edu/trees/facts.cfm  University  of  Illinois  Extension  Christmas  Tree  Facts  Great  Moments  in  Christmas  Tree  History