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Show Christmas Shopping Guide, New Utah - December 4, 2003 - Page 7 Make your Christmas tree last this year It's that time of year again, time to trim the tree, put the lights up and deck the hall with boughs of holly. No one wants a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree with its sagging branches and skimpy needles. According to Western Garden experts, certain cer-tain varieties of pine and fir trees serve as sturdier Christmas trees.' "People are decorating sooner and expect their trees to last several weeks," comments Dave Brown of Western Garden Center in Salt Lake. "Alpine firs and Jack pines, grown in Montana, Utah grown Pinion pines, and Fraser firs that are plantation grown, will all hold their needles longer than other types of trees." Whether you cut your own Christmas tree or purchase it from a retail lot, there are several sev-eral things that can be done to keep trees as fresh as possible. When inspecting Christmas trees, experts recommend doing a test. Grab a branch and gently pull it toward you. If many needles come off, the tree is not fresh. Also, check the bottom of the stump as well to make sure it's moist. Lastly, look at the ground around the tree. If an excessive amount of green needles are on the ground, the tree isn't fresh. It is alright to store your tree outside if you purchase it before you are ready to put it up, but make sure it's stored in a cool, protected pro-tected place outdoors. When the tree is brought indoors for decorating, deco-rating, a straight cut should be made across the butt of the tree about one inch from the original cut, then place the tree in a stand filled with water. Trees can absorb two pints of water or more per day depending on the size of the tree. - Use a tree stand that holds at least one gallon and check the water level daily to make sure it does not drop below the cut end of the trunk. The tree should also be kept away from all heat sources, such as fireplaces, fire-places, radiators, and the television. Heat can dry trees out easily, making them a severe fire hazard. "Remember to turn off tree lights when leaving home and before going to sleep and never use combustible decorations, especially candles," cautions Brown. "The best thing you can do is make sure light cords do not have any cracked insulation insula-tion or any broken sockets before decorating your tree." When the Yuletide season comes -to a close, many cities offer recycling options. For more information about this program call the Streets and Sanitation office at 535-.6999.-. . ' ,. . For information about tree removal in your local area, contact your local municipal department to see if recycling is an option. Western Gardens is locally owned and operated and has been selling Christmas trees for three generations. They provide high quality gardening and decorating services. servic-es. Western Gardens operates three retail locations, 550 S. 600 E., Salt Lake City, 4050 W. 4100 S., West Valley, and 9201 S. 1300 E., Sandy. For more information call 801-364-7871. 4 t r, i v-' - w - i. rrnnnp nnri l Marin's 'Christmas Livts In tvcry Quaint jhjpendCramy' ft Complete selection of Eddie Walker originals V Willierae Figures y ?n0n HUE All flifirhnM Tim (rmmmk jia hiJ U VII 111 VllllJUWU II vv viuuiuvuu 1 Dec. M-Dec. 13th Beautiful Wreaths Florals Candles Votives M If Lanterns Quilts Treeskirts Stockings J v Table Linens Metalware Table Accessories RA Pottery Stoneware Dolls Tea Sets J5 Wonderful Children's Books Lamps o) Throws Pillows Furnishings lU AND SO MVCH, MUCH MORE! r Q if w;w u.m. w 6:00 PM j Mon,,Thurs. JSat.y IT . m r At fP Scrooge and Marley's rM I flm North 100 East Lehi 768-0379 nr I 3 A k limST" G Kencraft Factory Outlet 4 Join us for, our annual tl ' Christmas Trbition Visit with Santa and view the Live Nativity Scene with the Fungs Camels Fri., Sat., & Mon. Dec. 12th, 13th & 15th 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. , Sample Our New Chocolates: ; Harry London, Fernwood, Hallmark, Mrs. Fields Seethe terrific Christmas Candy and Gifts ' , ; Ongoing Sale Items Available 4 '" 155 L 200 N. Alpine Store Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 - 6 756-7400 |