Saturday, November 29, 1997

Thanksgiving is over - time to talk Christmas trees

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

All right, Thanksgiving has come and gone.

People will be putting up their Christmas decorations.

Well actually, this farm writer noticed that many homes - and more especially businesses - already had their Christmas decorations out several days well before Thanksgiving. (More like Halloweenish, for some).

But now the Christmas festivities and displays for the holiday season will really hit high gear.

Decorations vary - but the Christmas tree is the traditional starting place for most folks. Many want a real tree.

Good news here.

Abundant rainfall in many parts of the state during 1997 has translated into a bumper crop of Texas Christmas trees.

Texas Ag Commissioner Rick Perry says trees 5- to 7-feet tall should be plentiful on the "choose-and-cut" Christmas tree farms. Such farms are found in 66 Texas counties.

It's good for the economy, Perry notes. Sales of real Texas Christmas trees now amount to $8 to $10 million each year.

"Good rains during this past year ensures there will be high-quality trees available on all Texas Christmas tree farms," Perry said. "Families who want to celebrate the holiday season with a Texas touch should have no trouble finding the right Texas tree for them."

Between 250,000 and 300,000 Christmas trees await cutting on tree farms.

Choosing the right tree

Virginia pines make up about 83 percent of the estimated crop.

Perry says that Virginia pines resemble Scotch pines, but have longer needles.

The rest are mainly Afghanistan pines. The Afghan pines have more space between their limbs and display soft, short needles.

Both Virginia and Afghan pines are beautiful, fragant and have sturdy limbs for holding ornaments.

Many of you in the Abilene region are familiar with Afghanistan pines, which often are seen on farms in a protective windbreak pattern.

You also will see the Afghanistan pines throughout Abilene where they've helped serve as both windbreaks and to beautify the city throughout the year.

Prices will vary with desired tree

Perry said prices for a traditional 6-foot "choose-and-cut' tree will vary.

They may be as low as $3 per foot to as a high as $6 per foot. A lot depends upon the location in the state.

Most Christmas tree farms in Texas opened yesterday. It has been tradition to open the Friday after Thanksiving.

Many offer hayrides and other family activities that can be fun for the kids.

For a list of Texas choose-and-cut tree farms, you can call the Texas Department of Agrioculture in Austin at (512) 463-7472, or the nearest TDA regional office weekdays.

And for those with Internet access, you can check out the TDA web site at <I>http://www.agr.state.tx.us<I> for a list of Christmas tree farms.

At this same TDA site, you can also get holiday recipes, decorating and menu suggestions.

Like Good Ol' Charlie Brown, you want to find just the right tree.

Speaking of old-fashioned trees

Gov. and Mrs. George Bush will get their Texas Christmas trees Monday.

A team of horses will deliver several 7-foot-tall Virginia pines at 5 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion.

Ginny and Cal Ebner of J-Jack Christmas Trees in Deweyville will formally present the trees. Cal is president of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers' Association.

How poor were you?

We were so poor when I was growing up in Foard County that some people had to put lights on a little mesquite bush. (They put gum drops on the thorns).

One family that I knew put Christmas ornaments on a tumbleweed. They didn't want to catch the house on fire, so they didn't dare put electric lights on the ol' tumbleweed. Just the colorful ornaments.

Which reminds me - if you choose a real tree, be careful not to let it get too dry. Make sure your electrical cords are safe. Never have the tree lights on when you're gone from the house - or leave little children home alone with the tree.

Every holiday season, there are horrible tragedies from Christmas trees and fires - all of which could have been avoided.