Choosing a Tree:

First decide where it will go and measure the space... then measure again. Don't forget to measure your stand as well.

Make sure that the tree you choose will fit in your space and inside your stand. Whittling the sides of a tree's trunk to make it fit a too-small stand will interfere with its water intake, as well as making the tree less stable. Also check to be sure the tree has a tall enough 'handle' (the area bare of branches at the bottom) that you won't need to trim bottom branches off to put it in the tree stand. Allow a couple of extra inches so that you can make a fresh cut.

The most important consideration in choosing a cut tree (outside of finding one you like) is to find a fresh tree. Some techniques:

• Bend several needles. If they bend and bounce back, the tree is probably fresh. If they break or don't bounce back, it probably isn't.
• Shake the tree or bounce it on the ground to see how many needles drop. Some needles will fall naturally but if they fall like rain, the tree may be dried out.
• You can also feel the bottom (cut portion) of the tree. If it feels damp and full of sap, the tree is fresh (note: this technique can be negated by people bouncing the tree off the ground).

Caring for Your Fresh-Cut Tree:

If you will have to carry your tree home on top of your car or in some other exposed place, bring along a tarp to wrap it up and protect it from wind damage, and tie it securely.

When you get the tree home, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk (cut off about 1/2" perpendicular to the trunk). If you will not be setting it up immediately, put it in a pail of water and store it away from heat and sunlight.

Before putting the tree inside, you may want to give it a good shaking to dislodge any loose needles.

Also be sure your stand will hold enough water. You'll need, daily, about one quart per inch of trunk diameter (a 2" wide trunk would take a half gallon per day). You probably won't want to be adding water more than once per day, so make sure your stand holds enough!

December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, designated by Congress to honor the flower and Joel Robert Poinsett, botanist and the first United States Ambassador to México. Native to México, the poinsettia, with over 70 million sold annually, is the "Número Uno" flowering potted plant sold in the United States.

History of Poinsettias

The Aztecs called poinsettias "Cuetlaxochitl." During the 14th-16th century the sap was used to control fevers and the bracts ( modified leaves) were used to make a reddish dye.

Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, would have poinsettias brought into what now is México City by caravan because they could not be grown in the high altitude.

Centuries later, Joel Roberts Poinsett became the first United States Ambassador to México, being appointed by President Andrew Jackson in the 1820's; because of his interest in botany he introduced the American elm into México. During his stay in México he wandered the countryside looking for new plant species.

In 1828 he found a "beautiful" shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina.

Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a United States Congressman and as an Ambassador, he will be best remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States.