It’s a great day to cut down our Christmas tree! 
Over a decade ago, I decided that it was silly (and expensive) to go out “over the river and through the woods” to purchase a tree when my property has plenty of space to grow tiny conifers. So I planted over a dozen seedlings and over the past 5 years or so, we have been harvesting a variety of spruces (Picea) for our Christmas tree.
Over a decade ago, I decided that it was silly (and expensive) to go out “over the river and through the woods” to purchase a tree when my property has plenty of space to grow tiny conifers. So I planted over a dozen seedlings and over the past 5 years or so, we have been harvesting a variety of spruces (Picea) for our Christmas tree.This year’s choice is a 13 year old blue spruce (Picea pungens). Chatrlotte is on hand to help me with the tree.
She pushes one side of it as I cut it close to the soil. Soon the tree is liberated from its trunk and Charlotte and I make our way up the steps toward the house.
The smell of the spruce is intense after it has been cut; sap begins to emerge from its cut base.
I carry the tree up the stairs to our living room where I need to cut about a foot off the base so it will fit. Because the tree is placed on a plywood platform, it needs to be shorter than the space would suggest.
I easily get the tree into its stand, filling it with water, which will be sucked up over the next few days.
The needles are fresh and fragrant with tiny cones beginning to form on its extremities. This looks to be another great tree.
