Have you ever wondered how an evergreen tree becomes a true Christmas Tree? It certainly must possess an inverted cone shape just right for stunning, sparking ornaments and room for Santa's gifts. In the wild conifers have evolved their unique shape in response to environmental factors such as wind, cold and light. With a little help from Ebenezer, his trees attain the perfect shape and are ready to adorn your home.
Currently, Ebenezer's tree farm has approximately 4,000 trees. Each year Ebenezer prunes about 2,000. While his helpers join in during the holiday season to sell trees and make wreaths, all the pruning is done by Ebenezer. You can be certain your tree has been shaped by Ebenezer himself with a whole lot of effort and a bit of an artistic eye (though he is too humble to admit it).
The entire pruning process is vitally important because pruning creates a denser tree by promoting the growth of existing branches. Spruces and firs can be pruned anytime when they aren't actively growing, but pines need to be sheared when they are actively growing, usually in late June to early July. That is the time when if you were to visit the farm you would see Ebenezer out in the fields with his shears. He prunes the trees, mows between the rows and usually gets stung by quite a few bees which enjoy making their nests in the trees or on the ground nearby.
When pruning the trees Ebenezer first evaluates the central leader, which is the top branch where the star or angel will be placed. The central leader is cut back each year, after the tree is 3 to 4 feet tall. This cut is done in order to make a well shaped, dense tree with relatively even spacing between the whorls or lateral branches.
After the central leader is cut, Ebenezer then stands by the tree and pictures it as that inverted cone shape we all know and love. Any branch tips that extend outside this imaginary cone are cut to give the tree a better appearance. As a tree matures, lighter shearing is usually required. Much like people, trees don't all grow the same and each is a unique individual. Ebenezer prunes with the intention of maximizing the tree's natural beauty and particular desirable traits.
Occasionally, inconsistencies or problems can occur during a tree's growth. These can sometimes be corrected by gentle pruning over 2 or 3 years. For example, if the tree is a bit lopsided, the side with the largest branches should be pruned more heavily, allowing the weak side to grow in. This method does not always compensate for a tree that is just not growing well, and so in some cases, it's best to start over with a new seedling.
When you bring home that special evergreen tree from the farm, the one that has tickled your fancy, know that is has all the elements needed to turn it into a real Christmas Tree. It has been pruned with care so that when you set it up, put on those beloved ornaments and string up the lights, all it needs is your special Christmas traditions to turn it from just a well pruned conifer into your family Christmas Tree of 2015.
Currently, Ebenezer's tree farm has approximately 4,000 trees. Each year Ebenezer prunes about 2,000. While his helpers join in during the holiday season to sell trees and make wreaths, all the pruning is done by Ebenezer. You can be certain your tree has been shaped by Ebenezer himself with a whole lot of effort and a bit of an artistic eye (though he is too humble to admit it).
The entire pruning process is vitally important because pruning creates a denser tree by promoting the growth of existing branches. Spruces and firs can be pruned anytime when they aren't actively growing, but pines need to be sheared when they are actively growing, usually in late June to early July. That is the time when if you were to visit the farm you would see Ebenezer out in the fields with his shears. He prunes the trees, mows between the rows and usually gets stung by quite a few bees which enjoy making their nests in the trees or on the ground nearby.
When pruning the trees Ebenezer first evaluates the central leader, which is the top branch where the star or angel will be placed. The central leader is cut back each year, after the tree is 3 to 4 feet tall. This cut is done in order to make a well shaped, dense tree with relatively even spacing between the whorls or lateral branches.
After the central leader is cut, Ebenezer then stands by the tree and pictures it as that inverted cone shape we all know and love. Any branch tips that extend outside this imaginary cone are cut to give the tree a better appearance. As a tree matures, lighter shearing is usually required. Much like people, trees don't all grow the same and each is a unique individual. Ebenezer prunes with the intention of maximizing the tree's natural beauty and particular desirable traits.
Occasionally, inconsistencies or problems can occur during a tree's growth. These can sometimes be corrected by gentle pruning over 2 or 3 years. For example, if the tree is a bit lopsided, the side with the largest branches should be pruned more heavily, allowing the weak side to grow in. This method does not always compensate for a tree that is just not growing well, and so in some cases, it's best to start over with a new seedling.
When you bring home that special evergreen tree from the farm, the one that has tickled your fancy, know that is has all the elements needed to turn it into a real Christmas Tree. It has been pruned with care so that when you set it up, put on those beloved ornaments and string up the lights, all it needs is your special Christmas traditions to turn it from just a well pruned conifer into your family Christmas Tree of 2015.