Grand Junction Sentinel: How to … Choose and/or cut down a Christmas tree
Filed under: Earth 911 - November 23, 2007
By Samantha Stiles
Yes, a National Christmas Tree Association exists, and here’s how it can help.
“Cutting the tree is easiest as a two person project,” according to the association’s Web site, www.christmastree.org.
The association recommended the person doing the cutting lie on the ground near the trunk while sawing. The second person should hold the bottom tree limbs up and out of the way while tugging on the tree lightly on the side of the tree opposite the cut.
The association also offered these tidbits of advice for choosing a tree.
1. Remember to measure the space you have for a tree both vertically and horizontally before heading to a retail lot or a tree farm.
2. Do a freshness test on the trees. Green needles on fresh trees should break crisply, according to the association. Needle loss, discoloration, musty odor and wrinkled bark are dryness indicators.
3. As how to care for it and where you can recycle the tree at the end of the season.
If you’re in doubt of how to cut down a Christmas try, it might be better to let the pros do it.
Note: Trey Granger, spokesperson for Earth 911, Earth911.com, cautioned people against using the fake spray snow on their real trees. They can no longer be recycled.
Also Earth911.com has a zip code recycling center finder.
Christmas tree permits: Tree permits for the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre National Forests are available through Dec. 31 at the U.S. Forest Services offices in Grand Junction and Delta.
Permits for designated cutting areas on Grand Mesa are also available at the Mesa General Store in Mesa (credit cards are not accepted).
Some of the cutting ares are not accessible by vehicles. Varieties of trees are also limited to certain areas.
More information is available by calling 242-8211 in Grand Junction, 874-6600 in Delta or 240-5300 in Montrose.