The number of trees they use varies from year to year. We have no idea how much they spend on trees, decorations or anything. I can tell you for sure that the main Christmas Tree in the Blue Room does not cost a dime, as the Grand Champion farm donates the tree and the shipping/hauling costs.
You might browse the White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov/
From: Chris & Sue
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 1:36 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: christmas tree care
Hi
Hope you can help me with this question. We want to put a Christmas tree on our enclosed, unheated porch this year. Apparently it's colder in there than we realized, because the water in the tree stand is freezing solid. Will a tree last for any length of time in a cold environment if it isn't getting any water? Thanks for your help.
Sue
Hello Sue.
Well, if it's below freezing, then tree is most likely not losing a lot of moisture, unless it is very dry (low humidity) in that room, or there is direct sunlight on the tree, or any kind of air is blowing over the tree. Those conditions are the most common to speeding up the rate of moisture loss out of the foliage of the tree. Even if it freezes over on top, I would recommend leaving water in the stand anyway.
From: JudCllns
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 12:13 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: water for the tree
Is there anything I should put into the water to help the tree stay fresh longer???
Thanks, and Merry Christmas
Judi
Hi Judi. No need to add anything to the tree's water. Nothing has ever been shown to increase moisture levels or needle retention better than plain tap water.
From: Vicki Gllam
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 11:41 AM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: urgent question
I have a problem with a Balaam Fir - my cat is trying to eat it! We purchased this with roots in large pot for Christmas with intentions of planting it in the spring. Our kitty seems to think it is food! Do you have any idea if any part of this tree may be poisonous to him. Should I be undressing it and putting it in the garage for the balance of the winter? Have not been able to find any info on the cat sites regarding the Balsam Fir tree and cats. Might be interesting to know however that his ancestors (back numerous generations) was half Desert Lynx. Don't know if that actually has a bearing on this problem or not as have never had another cat that was intent on eating the Christmas Tree. Would really appreciate any help you could give me regarding this
problem.
Not much of an expert on cats Vicki, but here’s a link we've found on pet safety:
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-27-2003-48932.asp
From: Vicki Gllam
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 9:05 PM
To: Rick Dungey
Subject: Re: thank You 2 U.Q.
Thank You for the quick reply. It was a rather strange question and we do appreciate your prompt help. We have solved the problem by undressing the tree and sticking it in the garage for planting in the spring. Went out this afternoon and bought an icky artificial one which I am certain I can make look nice and if our puss wants to tear it apart then he can go for it. Provided of course he does not try to eat this one. So far so good. Thanks Again and hope the Holiday Season is one of the Best for you and yours.
That's unfortunate to hear Vicki. Let's hope those warnings from environmental groups about lead dust coming off of fake trees is not true. If it were me, I would make double sure my cat didn't ingest any of the PVC needles from the fake tree.
From: Vicki Gllam
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:53 PM
To: Rick Dungey
Subject: Re: thank You 2 U.Q.
Hi Rick: Good Grief - I never heard about this one. Maybe it is time to forget about a tree and start a new tradition!! This little four legged chat is just too special to me to take any chances with. Wicked world out there - will do more research into the toxicity of trees and cats if and where I can find it. Perhaps by next year when he is a bit older he will not be quite so inquisitive and we can go back to our idea of buying live ones and planting them. Once again - thank you for the tip on the false trees. Starting to wonder how much is actually safe in this old world of ours.
Here's a page we have with links to stuff we have learned about fake trees...http://www.christmastree.org/faketrees.cfm
I've had a lot of people tell me that to prevent their cat from bothering their tree, they got a Blue Spruce one year and it never bothered the tree again. Blue Spruce has very prickly needles which cats dislike very much. I've never had a cat and a Christmas tree at the same time so I don't personally know, but it makes sense.
From: Mike
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 8:22 AM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Balsam Fir has no scent
I cut down a Balsam Fir Christmas tree at a local tree farm here in RI two weeks ago.It has no been in my house for 2 weeks and this tree still has absolutely no scent coming from it. Before putting it in the stand I gave it a fresh cut and the water level has never dropped too low in the stand. I water the tree every day. I have contacted the farm where I bought it and they don`t know why it has no scent. I have looked everywhere on the internet and can`t find an answer to why my tree has no scent. Can you please help me?
Hello Mike.
I'm going to give you the same answer as I gave Mr. Johnson in last Friday's blog:
Now, I will say this, at least you have done everything correctly in the care of the tree...I wish more people were as diligent as you. I can also tell you this, the "gooey" stuff in the needles and very thin branches contain most of the resin which releases scent. Try grabbing say 10 or 12 needles from the inside or back side, and snapping them open like a fresh carrot. Then smell. If there is a strong balsam scent (and balsam is known generally as one of the stronger scented species) coming from the crushed needles, then it isn't the tree.
I would also ask you this: has anyone else been at your place and not smelled the tree?
From: Mike
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:26 PM
To: Rick Dungey
Subject: Re: Balsam Fir has no scent
The tree does have a scent if I bend or break the needles. A few people have come over to my place and they couldn`t smell the tree either. At the same time my parents live downstairs from me, as soon as I walk into their place I can smell the tree they bought off of a lot. Now I`m thinking that my tree was never "stressed" it was cut and in the stand with water in under 3 hours. Where "lot" trees are usually cut a week or 2 before you buy them. I`m going to try letting the tree run out of water for a day or two, re-cut the bottom and then see what happens. Thank you for the quick reply.
Harvest time and "stress" level is merely a coincidence. I wouldn't let the stand run dry...that only inhibits and delays the tree absorbing moisture, even if you make another fresh cut. That just seems like a lot of hassle for no real benefit. Besides, its not uncommon for trees to go from harvest in the field to the retail lot in 2 days, not 2 weeks.
I would just keep letting the tree absorb water as it is. High moisture content is one of the main factors in aroma release.
From: Erika Heinz
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:48 AM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: not drinking
Hi, I found your site while I was searching the web to find help for my tree. I bought my tree the day after thanksgiving, same as every year. And I watered it every day. Almost a week ago it stopped drinking water. Not a drop. It looks fine. Nothing is turning brown or falling off...yet. But Christmas in not for a week! And I am getting nervous it may not make it. I drilled a couple holes in the sides at the bottom below the water line just a couple hours ago. I don't know if that helped. Any ideas? I saw all kinds of suggestions from different places online about boiling water, asprin, bleach. HELP!
Hello Erika.
Well, those crazy suggestions are not going to help anything. By no means should you put bleach in the tree's water. The rate of water absorption will fluctuate, but admittedly, yes it will also stop altogether eventually. If your tree took up water that many days in a row, I would say it's fine. As long as the water level in the stand did not fall below the cut surface for a long period of time.
From: H & L Cooper
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:39 AM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Christmas Tree Question
You say the best thing for my fresh tree is "plain, fresh, tap water." Does that apply is we have a water-softener. Might the salt hurt the tree? Thanks.
No, that won't impact the tree. Your water doesn't have higher salt content, just lower mineral content. The tree is absorbing H2O on a molecular level, and H2O is H2O whether you have a softener or not.
The main blog contributor is Rick Dungey, who works as Public Relations
Manager for the National Christmas Tree Association. Other people on the
NCTA staff and members of NCTA will also contribute posts. Rick has
answered media and consumer inquiries for NCTA for more than 9 years. You
are welcome to send responses or questions to the blog, but be aware that
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