The Science Behind Your Christmas Tree by Elaine Lockey

photo courtesy of SeattleTimes.nwsource.com

Going to pick out a Christmas tree is always an exciting holiday tradition.  It’s one my family never really took to though.  My father preferred the variety of tree that didn’t drop needles or require watering.  Once I had a home of my own, I decided that I wanted a “real” tree from then on – I sought the fresh smells and natural beauty that an artificial tree just can’t provide. 

As I perused the tree lots looking for the right tree, I have to admit, it never crossed my mind to think about why the choices are Douglas Fir, White Fir and Scotch Pine for the most part. What makes them the tree of choice to adorn my living room?  And once I brought the tree home, what can I do to keep it greener longer?

It turns out, there is an incredible amount of research behind the selection of trees specific for growing as a Christmas tree, and another whole body of research into how trees can behave more to our liking when growing in a tree stand - way more than the time that it takes me to pick out the perfect tree.  Just who is doing the research?  One such place of research is the Christmas Tree Research Center at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.  

Focusing on the Balsam Fir, one of the main trees grown for Christmas trees in Canada, the Center has focused much of their study on how to keep needles greener longer.  This goes well beyond just remembering to put water in the tree stand.  The bonuses of this research are many, from the longer duration of freshness of trees in tree lots to how long they can look good in your house.

Needle drop is triggered by the hormone ethylene.  Ethylene is the same hormone that is released when an apple ripens. With some manipulation of the hormone, the Center has been able to find some possible solutions to slow down needle drop by half so a tree has a much longer life span. Two different solutions, one taken in through the trunk in liquid and the other in a gas “bath” affect the synthesis of the hormone and also the needle abscission layers from forming.

Other research from the Center has found that white LED lights provide the most benefit over other color spectrums, no lights, or regular incandescent or florescent lights.  Needle retention in white LED light was much higher. Blue performed the worst.  Additionally, there is more benefit to the tree if you leave the lights on all the time instead of turning them off at night.  Consequences to your electrical bill aside, if you want to keep needles on your tree longer, trees do better in the constant light.  When they are in the dark, respiration increases and they use up a lot of calories that they aren’t taking in.  

Christmas trees and greenery are more than a billion $ industry around the world. There are more than 30 million live Christmas trees sold just in the US every year.  Countries like Canada, are spending more to help the industry find solutions and eventually hope to create the perfect Christmas tree, or at least a much improved one.  New Mexico State University’s Christmas Tree Research Program has done extensive work on tracking the provenances of many commonly used trees and has introduced a tree to the industry that does better in the climate of the SW.  Some other institutions, such as Oregon State University’s College of Forestry research genetics, fertilization and disease management.  

Picking out the right Christmas tree for your home can be a science in itself for you and your family.  No matter how you go about doing your research and making a selection, it is fun to know some of the institutional science that has gone on behind the scenes to keep this long-standing tradition going. Oh, and keeping ripening fruit away from your Christmas tree is recommended.  Who knew?

Tip: Charlie Brown Christmas trees can solve that search for perfection.  There is no bad-facing side to one of these trees because they are all irregular. You can get away with just hanging one ornament and no lights.  In Charlie Brown’s world you don’t even need a tree stand, just some planks of wood! 

2011 Annual Flower Trials at CSU

Salvia 'Summer Jewel Red'

Dr. James E. Klett,  CSU professor and Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist,  invites us to come view the 2011 Annual Flower Trials conducted by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in Fort Collins. The trial garden consists of approximately 1100 varieties of annual bedding plants, both in the ground and in containers. Twenty-five plant and seed companies are participating in the 2011 trials.  The site, located at 1401 Remington Street, in Ft. Collins, Colorado, is also an official All American Selection Test and Display Garden.

Compare many new bedding plant varieties against some of the standards. The best viewing time is now through mid-September or first killing frost. Visit the website for photos of last year’s winners and other updates: www.flowertrials.colostate.edu



Here's the 2011 AAS Winners.

Espalier: The Art of Plant Training by Elaine Lockey

Espalier at Denver Botanic Gardens

Espalier, pronounced esp-al-ee-er or esp-al-ee-ay, is the practice of training and pruning a plant to grow on a flat plane against a wall, fence or building.  This can create a beautiful focal point in a garden, can save space in small areas, and help fill in space if you have a large wall or fence that you want to hide.

Espalier can be informal or formal and there are several common forms practiced.  Certain plants respond best to certain types of espalier as well.  Informal espalier can be as simple as a vine climbing up a wall to a pyracantha hedge that is pruned in a flat plane but is allowed to branch where it wants vertically and horizontally.  Formal designs can be like the French palmette verrier in which a plant, commonly a pear tree, is attached to a frame that helps to shape it into the desired structure.  This particular one looks like a box shape or candelabra. This enables the pear tree to grow wide but the height is limited.

Simple backdrops work best to highlight the trained plant. When thinking about site selection look for walls or fences that would be enhanced by the espaliered plant. Normal growing conditions should be provided such as proper soil, water and light. Often a south or east-facing wall is a great place to put a plant but keep in mind that walls also add extra heat and that can be a problem in winter for plants that are susceptible to winter injury.

Espaliered fruit trees can produce heavy fruit loads and can be positioned in areas such as against a south-facing wall where they receive more sunlight and warmth.  Fruit trees and most other plants need to be attached to a trellis or the fence or wall in some manner to lend the branches support. With informal design a frame may not be needed, but supports might be. Plants should be spaced at least 6” from walls to allow for air circulation and to reduce potential pest issues.

photo courtesy of colonialsense.com

You can buy plants that have already been started with a trellis so that all you have to do is transplant them. Untrained plants can be started fairly easily as well with a little more time upfront to get them ready. Prune new plants sparingly until they are established.  Plant limbs are most flexible in the summer so this is the best time to train new twigs to your supports. Espaliered plants must be pruned and trained annually. There are numerous resources available to aid in teaching this art form so I won't go into the actual pruning and training practices here.

Plant choices should be based on the type of espalier design you want to achieve and also in selecting plants with interesting foliage, fruits or flowers.  Some common plants used are pyracantha, Japanese maple, redbud, forsythia, crabapples, viburnum and yews. Many of the various dwarf or semi-dwarf fruit trees can be trained for a beautiful and edible espalier.

Once you have an idea of where you’d like to put your plant and if you want a fruit tree or not, you can begin making your selection at the nursery of the species. Then the hard work begins -but you will have a true conversation piece and work of art that you’ll be proud to show off!
 

Urban Gardens Germinate Seeds of Better Health in Denver

In Denver, groups such as Feed Denver, Revision International, the GrowHaus, Denver Urban Gardens, Slow Food Denver, the University of Colorado's Learning Landscapes program and Sprout City Farms may have different approaches and differing philosophies. But all share one thing: They are bringing lettuce lifelines, one neighborhood at a time, to a nation drowning in high-fructose corn syrup.

Read more about it here:
 

Urban gardens germinate seeds of better health in Denver - The Denver Post

Recycle Those Garden Pots!

 Did you know that gardeners cell packs, flats, and assorted nursery pots alone account for over 320 million pounds of waste annually to landfills each year.  And we think we are being "green" gardening!


Here's a list of garden centers in Colorado who will take your used garden pots and send them off to the recycler to create other products!



Recycling | Garden Centers of Colorado

20 Masterpieces of Green Graffiti

Okay, gardeners, let your inner "tagger" express him or herself!  How about producing this kind of graffiti all over Jefferson  County, Colorado!


20 Masterpieces of Green Graffiti

How to Make Moss Murals

I'll meet you at dusk with my green milkshake of "moss paint"!  Where shall we begin?

Lakewood! Zoning Improvement Urban Agriculture in Lakewood, Colorado

Gardeners!  Got an opinion on beekeeping in the city?  How about city chickens?  Now's the time to let your ideas be known! The City of Lakewood is hosting an event to explore the topic of urban agriculture. The event will allow residents and business owners to hear from experts on the topic and to share their comments and ideas as a part of the Lakewood! Zoning Improvement Process. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, with an open house in the Civic Center South Building and a formal presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Both sessions will be at 480 S. Allison Parkway.

Here's the complete scoop:

City Of Lakewood: Events Calendar - Lakewood! Zoning Improvement Urban Agriculture...

How Green Is Your Garden?

As gardeners, we think we are "green" but really, just how green are we?  Here's a provocative article about creating a carbon-neutral garden! 

How Green Is Your Garden? - National Wildlife Federation

Top 10 Landscape/Garden Trends for 2010

Chuck Montera , of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado shared these gardening trends for 2110.

Landscape Pros Identify What’s Hot and What’s Not

Warmer temperatures are a sure sign it is time to start planning and planting!  Before you begin, be sure to review the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado’s (ALCC) top ten landscape and garden trends for 2010.  According to ALCC’s professional landscape contractor members, this year’s trends involve keeping things local – from the food you grow in your garden to the entertaining you do in your own backyard.  

Top Ten Landscape Trends for 2010

1. Eat locally – out of your own backyard.  The momentum for kitchen gardening that started in 2009 is even stronger as more plants and ways to grow them are available.  It’s now pretty and practical to plant vegetables throughout your landscape as long as their needs for water and sun are compatible.

2. Outdoor rooms that cater to comfort and practicality are in.  Patios with food prep areas, grills, fire pits and restful spaces with plenty of shade and outdoor ambiance will be the top destination for family living and entertaining this season.

3. Greening-up your landscape.  Earth-friendly approaches to landscape design and maintenance are stronger than ever.  Homeowners want less area to water and maintain and are installing sprinkler systems that operate only when water is needed.  City-sponsored rebates are also rewarding them for their water conserving choices.

4. For annual color, vast, opulent displays are long gone.  For trends in container gardening, look for strategically placed annual flowers for maximum pop.  Also look for long-loved flower varieties in new combinations that are planted in non-traditional and attention-grabbing containers. 

5. Water features are now for everyone.  Once a luxury, it is common practice for homeowners to request water features in their garden design.  Coveted for their practicality as much as their aesthetic qualities, water features buffer street traffic, provide ambience and can feature plants that only grow in water – like water lilies.   With proper design and installation, they are also a water conserving element within the landscape.

6. Whether it’s your wardrobe or your yard, fashion basics never go out of style.  Lush grass that is well maintained through aeration, fertilizer and regular mowing is a timeless standard as are neatly pruned trees and shrubs.  A colorful palette of flowers and foliage—like any good accessory—makes an eye-catching statement.  Playing to these basics will keep your yard in style.

7. Light it up. Night lighting that highlights your house and landscape is one of the fastest-growing landscape innovations. Not only does it look great, but it increases home security. And new fluorescent and LED lighting options mean using less electricity. LEDs even come in multiple colors, adding variety to your nightscape.

8. Save money by doing it right the first time.  Homeowners who are watching dollars closely are wary of quick, cheap fixes that are short lived.  Find the right professional contractor for the job and use durable products that enhance property values, provide ease of maintenance and save money over the long haul.

9. Landscapes are growing native with lush, low-water plants.  Based on appearances, you might not guess that the vibrant plants now finding their way into Colorado landscapes are native and as water conserving as they are stunning.  Even their names sound exotic, like red birds in a tree, red torch lily and partridge feather. 

10. Gardening with a purpose.  Whether planting a kitchen garden to harvest many varieties of herbs, creating a meditation garden or designing a yard to attract more wildlife or to be more user-friendly to the family dog, gardening with a purpose is here to stay.  

With more than 700 members across the state, the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado is the premier professional organization for Colorado’s landscape contractors. ALCC has been at the forefront for more than 40 years helping the landscape industry address Colorado’s unique climate, and promoting responsible use of water and other natural resources. ALCC member firms provide a range of landscape services including design, installation, maintenance, consultation and water management. To find a qualified landscape professional or subscribe to ALCC’s lawn and garden “tip of the week,” visit the Web site www.alcc.com. 

Images courtesy of Neils Lunceford, Inc. and Changing Landscapes, Inc.

Gardening Trends - The Worst Gardening Trends of the Last Decade

And here's the worst!  Can you guess these?


Gardening Trends - The Worst Gardening Trends of the Last Decade

Gardening Trends - The Best Gardening Trends of the Last Decade

The title says it all.  Can you guess what were the best trends in the last decade?

Gardening Trends - The Best Gardening Trends of the Last Decade