I love it. I wanted a tree from the woods this year, a little wildling that would not be perfect or so full I couldn't hang ornaments on it. This one was growing on an old gas line right-of-way and it fit all my criteria pretty well. I would have preferred a more perfect shape, but then my own shape isn't so perfect so who am I to judge?
For the past 5 years we've had an artificial tree because my allergies were so bad we were removing all potential causes. It took a while to realize that the main culprit was our little cocker spaniel, and even longer for my allergies to settle down to the point where one pill a day is all I need for control. This year, I wanted a live tree again. And not one from a tree lot. So Larry and I went for a walk a couple weeks ago and found this little guy. He's just what I wanted.
Got your tree up yet? What kind do you have this year? Has anyone tried a "twig" tree--one with no needles at all?
We will get our tree up this week. An artificial, pre lit tree that can be seen through the front windows up to the street. Will probably have a live wreath to bring in the aroma.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned a twig tree, I thought of my dad telling of his childhood in the 1910s on a southern Oklahoma farm. His mother would take a branch (there were not many to be found... maybe from a cedar tree.) All year she would save cotton balls and fabric scraps and those would be her decorations.
Their gifts for the 3 boys would be their yearly pair of shoes. And I'm thinking marbles, jackknives, and other small toys.
Can you imagine a child today being happy with that, DGranna? And yet it was true in our parents' time--children usually got a stocking with candy, an orange, an apple and nuts, maybe a small toy or two. And the stocking was often their own sock! I know mine was, for many years.
ReplyDeleteI was reading a book about Christmas trees tonight, and it showed a picture of a "tree" of one of the English princesses in the 1800's. It was an evergreen branch as you describe, with candles on it.
I admire the thriftiness of your husband's mother. She knew how to manage, even with little to manage with.
Your tree is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWe usually purchase a live tree but for the past two years we have used an artificial.We prefer live but we don't have a place that we could cut our own for free and the prices of real trees are outrageous. Or at least I feel they are for all the more you have them up.
I agree, Jessica. I am not going to pay that much for a tree that only lasts a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteIn that book I was reading tonight, they said the English used to keep evergreens in big planters, and then bring them inside for Christmas. I have two little evergreens in pots on my deck and I've had them for 5 years. I'm thinking that if I put them in bigger pots, they might get big enough to be my tree. I'm going to try it anyway.
About 10 years ago we bought live trees and planted them. We did it for 4 years and two survived. They're huge now, about 25 feet tall. Back then we could buy the trees for about $30. I hate to think what they might cost now.
My trees are up. They are artificial. Real trees are too expensive to buy and we don't have a hillside where we can go cut one down like we did when I was growing up. But that's okay, I like my "fake" ones.
ReplyDeleteWe got our tree up last weekend. We made a special trip to lowes. I refuse to have a fake tree and prefer to go to a tree farm. I know they are expensive, but it is the one time a year I am willing to spend the money. The excitement the kids get from picking one to decorating is well worth it. As far as a twig tree, as fast as the needles are falling off it won't be too much longer.
ReplyDeleteOur tree went up yesterday, it's a real tree from a tree plantation on a local National Trust property. I love the scent of live trees.
ReplyDeleteWe have an artificial tree, because we bought it after Christmas eleven years ago for £15, when most live trees on lots cost 25. It's saved us money over the years, but I do miss a live tree!
ReplyDeleteMy sister once did a beautifully artsy 'twig tree', which in her case was an urn filled with twisty branches from the woods, that she draped with bead garlands and star ornaments. It was very pretty, but she has a magic touch with decorating, and I *never* try to emulate what she does because the results are often laughable (not that there's anything wrong with laughing!!)
I love the story of how you adopted your tiny tree; it is cute as a button and so in the spirit!
Janet, I was happy with the savings from my artifical tree too! We used to have plenty of the right size trees on our land, but they are hard to find now as the oaks and poplars take over. I've got my eye on another tree for next year already. And I do want to try that planter thing. I think that's the best idea of all.
ReplyDeleteChris, where you are I can see that finding a free live tree to cut would be a little tricky and probably illegal! I know some people who put up several trees over the holidays, removing them as the needles drop. Expensive and a lot of work, I tihnk, unless you just really like decorating trees.
ReplyDeleteRowan, our house is filled with the scent of pine now and I love it. I put pine trimmings in jugs of water all over the house. Now that is a Christmas smell, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy mother waited until Christmas Eve to bring in the greens. We would put big branches of evergreens over the mantels and even today I remember the excitement when everything was decorated and ready.
There's no doubt that the artifical trees save a lot of money--and mess. I know many people who have several, one in each room of their house. With the amount of decorations I've accumulated over the years, I could probably do three or four trees myself. I plan to do a clear-out of decorations this year. There are too many that I bought at different times that hold no meaning for me now. I prefer the ones given to me or made by myself or my friends and family.
ReplyDeleteGSue - I put my tree up last night - it is John's parents old one, and when they first gave it to us they forgot to give us the pole! So we had the branches and the pretty green tote they came in, but no pole. Got it this weekend though and put it up last night.
ReplyDeleteI've had a real tree in the past, and thought I was doing a good deed because I bought it from the local Boy Scout fundraiser. It didn't look quite as nice when I got it unbundled - it was actually more like a shrub than a tree. Almost perfectly round! Then it dried out and needles fell everywhere - and then I went to my parents' over the holiday, came back, and the tree had dried out completely. The weight of the ornaments (which I had only put on the one side I could reach) pulled the tree over onto the living room floor, and there were fallen needles all over the room.
When I moved out of that apt almost two years later, I was still finding pine needles! I can just imagine if this happened again, especially with two cats who would love to play "jungle kitty" with a real tree and it's falling needles.
I've been wonrdering if our new kitty will decide to climb our tree, Jason. She's not inside much, and so far hasn't shown any interest. But if she does the tree will probably topple right over. And that would be a BIG mess.
ReplyDeleteGranny Sue!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is beautiful! We went to a tree farm and cut our down not far from our house. The kids had a great time. Felt a little like Christmas Vacation. We've done that for years.
I never thought about a twig tree. That would be really cute if done right. You've got me wanting to see if I can find a trig tree to put in our living room. I can't put a live tree in here because of the heat from our fireplace would kill it way too soon.
I saw your post about getting your tree, Angela--it looked like fun!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to post pics if you try the twig tree. I think it could be way cute too.
I love your tree. I hope that next year when I have my own place I can have an imperfect tree.
ReplyDeleteWe have a nice, perfect atificial one now. It is pretty but lacks character.
I am thinking of a twig tree.
Several twigs set in a large pot of dirt for support and with tiny white lights and maybe a string of fake pearls.
Love your tree!
ReplyDeleteWe have an artificail one because of mess and allergies. When I was a kid dad would take us to get our tree and to a movie so mom could have a night by herself. She finally realized we all ended up sick by the end of the holidays so we switched to an artificial one.
Homesteaderwriter, I love it! Especially the pearls. I hope you post a photo.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I'm taking a chance this year with my allergies because they've been a lot better. Last year and the year before I brought in lots of pine with no problem. We'll see what happens this year.
We put up our tree this past weekend. Every year we find one on our land that is doomed to be thinned due to poor shape or too close to the road or too close to better and bigger trees. We mark it with a special ribbon during the summer and cut it down ourselves. This year we have a Doug fir tree that was about 15 years old but growing under the power lines. There are advantages to living in a forest. Betsy in Idaho
ReplyDeleteYou have some beautiful trees there too, Batsy. We're stuck with Virginia Pine or Short-needle pine, not the prettiest of trees. But then once they're inside they are lovely.
ReplyDelete