CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="763c8662egerdp.png"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Native Spirit</B></FONT><B> </B><B>   </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Native Spirit"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Earrings"><U><I><B>Earrings</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RINGS"><U><I><B>RINGS</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Necklaces"><U><I><B>Necklaces</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bracelets"><U><I><B>Bracelets</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Watches"><U><I><B>Watches</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glassware"><U><I><B>Glassware</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dreamcatchers"><U><I><B>Dreamcatchers</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GIFT INFO"><U><I><B>GIFT INFO</B></I></U></A><I><B>   |   </B></I><I><B>CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE</B></I><I><B> <A NAME="top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I></div> <div> <I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1922/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="154" height="46">  </B></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>on 11/11/2008</B></I></FONT></div> <div> <I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1920/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="120" height="156">                                                           </B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="id33_choosing_a_christmas_tree.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GIFT INFO"><U><I><B>BACK</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <I><B> </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>                             Types of Christmas Trees                                                                              </B></I><A HREF="mailto:nativespirit95@verizon.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:nativespirit95@verizon.net"><U><I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1921/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="150" height="106">  </B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Ready to Plant—for those who want to add a tree rather than subtract one, </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>buying a live tree and then planting it after the holidays may be a rewarding option. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>In this case, buying criteria will include the choice of a tree that will be suitable </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>in the spot in which it will be planted. Consider the climate, the mature size, </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>and the whether the tree is natively found in the area. </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Natural Trees—here are some notes about some of the most popular Christmas tree species.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> Some species characteristically cost more than others, reflecting (at least in part)</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> a longer growth period to attain their height.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Spruce </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>                                         <IMG SRC="78305470.jpg" border=0 width="261" height="327" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                                                                         </B></I><A HREF="#top" TITLE="CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE"><U><I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1928/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="68" height="46">  </B></I></U></A></div> <div> <I><B>Colorado Blue Spruce: a short needle tree</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> that has good needle retention </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>for a spruce; holds its shape even with heavy ornaments. </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="769c8b40.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="180" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I><I><B><IMG SRC="767d4f90.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="249" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Norway Spruce: a popular, traditional choice, </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>but prone to dropping its needles; </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>works best if you only intend to keep it for a short time.</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Fir </B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="76b17740.jpg" border=0 width="279" height="372" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Balsam Fir: a fragrant tree with short, soft needles of bright green </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="76fdde20.jpg" border=0 width="221" height="226" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I><I><B><IMG SRC="76d6e710.jpg" border=0 width="110" height="113" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                                             </B></I><A HREF="#top" TITLE="CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE"><U><I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1927/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="68" height="46">  </B></I></U></A></div> <div> <I><B>Douglas Fir: a long-lived tree with a pyramid shape with blue-green needles, </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>and one of the most popular Christmas trees </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="7740a110.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="773e7f60.jpg" border=0 width="231" height="246" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Fraser Fir: a fragrant tree with needles that are deep green on top and silvery below, </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>it is usually slender and a popular choice. </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="776a1ee0.jpg" border=0 width="161" height="238" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Grand Fir: a full tree with bicolor needles like the Fraser Fir </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>and a strong fragrance </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="78485af0.jpg" border=0 width="133" height="175" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="77778600.jpg" border=0 width="120" height="96" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Noble Fir: known for having good needle hold and an attractive blue-green color,</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> the noble fir is increasing in popularity as a Christmas tree</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Pine                                                      </B></I><A HREF="#top" TITLE="CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE"><U><I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1926/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="68" height="46">  </B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="779d4f80.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Eastern White Pine: </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>a tree with little fragrance, </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>it can be less prone to triggering allergies;</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> it has good needle retention and long soft-green needles </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="77c9f7e0.jpg" border=0 width="159" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="77adcf80.jpg" border=0 width="220" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Scotch Pine: the most popular cut tree, </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>the Scotch Pine is a conical tree which, </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>some say, is prone to dropping needles </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>while others say it has good retention.</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Cedar </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="77fcb440.jpg" border=0 width="203" height="324" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Eastern Red Cedar</B></I><I><B>: </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>a pyramid-shaped tree with</B></I></div> <div> <I><B> dark, shiny leaves, </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>more often found at </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>tree farms than Christmas tree stands</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Tips for Purchasing</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Choose a tree that is two feet (61 cm) shorter than the ceiling. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>This allows room for the stand and any treetop ornamentation you may wish to use. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Walk around the tree to make sure it is balanced and has a straight trunk. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Gently check the “hold” of the needles and the spring of the branches </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>to ensure a fresh tree.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Tips for Set-Up</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Store a cut tree outdoors as long as practical. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Make a fresh cut on the trunk and place the tree in water as soon as you can. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Set the tree in a cool place, not too close to radiators, </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>and—if it’s a cut tree—keep it well watered.</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#top" TITLE="CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE"><U><I><B> <img src="HTMLobj-1925/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="68" height="46">  </B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>