Save A Tree...and Trim A Trimmings
(Page 3 of 3)
November/December 1981
By Helene Cole and Terry Francis
A prunings tree is a practical, lowcost alternative to an evergreen purchased from a lot. It'll be your creation, too ... and—without suffering the pangs of sawing down a beautiful live conifer—you can have some of the joy and excitement of that old-fashioned annual trip into the snowy woods in search of the perfect holiday tree ... and fill your house with the tangy scent that's said "Christmas" for so many generations!
RELATED CONTENT
How to grow these miniature fruit trees and miniature nut trees, including best tree varieties....
My Holiday Blues-Beater
December/January 2000
Last Christmas I went on strike. I was tired o...
With shears, a pruning saw and common sense, you don't have to be a tree surgeon to improve the app...
Guide to pruning procedures made easy, including removing a large branch, pruning fruit plants, dec...
A TABLETOP TREE FOR CITY FOLK
Urbanites who can't get large evergreen branches—and probably don't have room for a big tree anyway—can create a miniature model instead. We often use rosemary for such projects, because it resembles pine in both shape and fragrance. The fresh herb isn't always easy to find, but other materials can be equally attractive . . . including holly, juniper, pyracantha, and boxwood, as well as a bevy of evergreen herbs such as thyme, germander, winter savory, lavender, and sweet myrtle.
To make a tiny tree, begin by choosing a plastic or glazed ceramic pot without a drain hole. Now, cut a sturdy branch of your selected greenery that's about twice the height of the watertight holder. This will be the main trunk, to which smaller cuttings will be wired. Attach the sprigs (green or brown pipe cleaners or twist-ties work well) to create a pleasantly symmetrical shape. As with the large tree described in the main article, all cut ends should extend well into the container, where they can get a constant supply of water.
Center the wired-together tree in its pot, add sand to hold it upright, and saturate the grit with water. Check every few days to be certain the material is still moist, bearing in mind that the smaller your container, the more quickly it will dry out.
Decorate the diminutive evergreen with featherweight miniature ornaments in keeping with its elfin size. A mere dozen wee baubles will transform the little bundle of snippings into a replica of a magnificent Christmas spruce, to make your holiday table merry and bright!
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 | 3 |
