WHERE FLORA IS SECOND TO NONE

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Flora-4

(This brief note is to me from me) A-HEM! Look up the word Natasha from the dictionary. Here is the result from the plant kingdom dic:

A stupid person; author of plant kingdom blog; me.


Yes, well lets proceed. Oh, did you read the above? If not, I STRONGLY recommend not to. If you do, it's OK. Understood? I hope you did!!!!!!!! Now, this is just ANOTHER brief note to those who read:

23rd December, 2010; Day before day before Christmas; Today; Wednesday; Whateva

A-HEM, A-HEM! Now listen, doc. Next time, don't go pokin' ya nose at my business! OK? Now, rem'ber 'ris, fella: IT'S MINE!!!!!! (the BUSINESS, YOU HUNKA JUNK!!!!!)

Sorry if I were too im'plite! Then, shall we get on ta business?


In North America, Central America and South America most commonly used are:
Several other species are used to a lesser extent. Less-traditional conifers are sometimes used, such as Giant Sequoia, Leyland Cypress, Monterey Cypress and Eastern Juniper. Various types of spruce tree are also used for Christmas trees (including the Blue Spruce and, less commonly, the White Spruce); but spruces (unlike firs) begin to lose their needles rapidly upon being cut, and spruce needles are often sharp, making decorating uncomfortable. Virginia Pine is still available on some tree farms in the southeastern United States, however its winter colour is faded. The long-needled Eastern White Pine is also used there, though it is an unpopular Christmas tree in most parts of the country, owing also to its faded winter coloration and limp branches, making decorating difficult with all but the lightest ornaments. Norfolk Island Pine is sometimes used, particularly in Oceania, and in Australia some species of the genera Casuarina and Allocasuarina are also occasionally used as Christmas trees but by far the most common tree is the Monterey Pine. Adenanthos sericeus or Albany Woolly Bush is commonly sold in southern Australia as a potted living Christmas tree. Hemlock species are generally considered unsuitable as Christmas trees due to their poor needle retention and inability to support the weight of lights and ornaments.
Some trees, frequently referred to as Living Christmas trees, are sold live with roots and soil, often from a nursery, to be stored at nurseries in planters or planted later outdoors and enjoyed (and often decorated) for years or decades. Others are produced in a container and sometimes as topiary for a porch or patio. However, when done improperly, the combination of root loss caused by digging, and the indoor environment of high temperature and low humidity is very detrimental to the tree's health; additionally, the warmth of an indoor climate will bring the tree out of its natural winter dormancy, leaving it little protection when put back outside into a cold outdoor climate. Often Christmas trees are a large attraction for living animals, including mice and spiders. Thus, the survival rate of these trees is low.[19] However, replanting when done properly provides higher survival rates.[20]
European tradition prefers the open aspect of naturally-grown, unsheared trees, while in North America (outside western areas where trees are often wild-harvested on public lands[21]) there is a preference for close-sheared trees with denser foliage, but less space to hang decorations.
In the past, Christmas trees were often harvested from wild forests, but now almost all are commercially grown on tree farms. Almost all Christmas trees in the United States are grown on Christmas tree farms where they are cut after about ten years of growth and new trees planted. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agriculture census for 2002 (the census is done every five years), 21,904 farms were producing conifers for the cut Christmas tree market in America, 180,897 hectares (447,006 acres) were planted in Christmas trees, and 13,849 farms harvested cut trees. The top 5 percent of the farms (40 hectares / 100 acres or more) sold 61 percent of the trees. The top 26 percent of the farms (8 hectares / 20 acres or more) sold 84 percent of the trees. Farms less than 0.8 hectare (two acres) comprised 21 percent of the farms, and sold an average of 115 trees per farm.[22]


A tree with fibre optic lights
The life cycle of a Christmas tree from the seed to a 2-metre (7 ft) tree takes, depending on species and treatment in cultivation, between 8 and 12 years. First, the seed is extracted from cones harvested from older trees. These seeds are then usually grown in nurseries and then sold to Christmas tree farms at an age of 3–4 years. The remaining development of the tree greatly depends on the climate, soil quality, as well as the cultivation and tendance by the Christmas tree farmer.[23]

[edit] Artificial trees

Main article: Artificial Christmas trees
The first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany during the 19th century,[24][25] though earlier examples exist.[26] These "trees" were made using goose feathers that were dyed green.[24] The German feather trees were one response by Germans to continued deforestation in Germany.[25] Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 2-inch (51 mm) tree to a large 98-inch (2,500 mm) tree sold in department stores during the 1920s.[27] Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as candle holders.[28]
Over the years, other styles of artificial Christmas trees have evolved and become popular. In 1930, the U.S.-based Addis Brush Company created the first artificial Christmas tree made from brush bristles.[29] Another type of tree, the aluminum Christmas tree, is made from aluminum.[25] The trees were manufactured in the United States, first in Chicago in 1958,[30] and later in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where the majority of the trees were produced.[31]


Evolution of Artificial Christmas Trees to adapt to changing modern styles and trends.
Most modern artificial Christmas trees are made from 100% recycled plastics of used packaging materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other plastics.[25] Approximately 10% of artificial Christmas trees are using virgin suspension PVC resin and despite being plastic most artificial trees are not recyclable or biodegradable.[32]
Other gimmicks have developed as well. Fiber optic Christmas trees come in two major varieties, one resembles a traditional Christmas tree.[33] One Dallas-based company offers "holographic mylar" trees in many hues.[26] Tree-shaped objects made from such materials as cardboard,[34] glass,[35] ceramic or other materials can be found in use as tabletop decorations. Upside-down artificial Christmas trees became popular for a short time and were originally introduced as a marketing gimmick; they allowed consumers to get closer to ornaments for sale in retail stores and opened up floor space for more products.[36]
Artificial trees became increasingly popular during the late 20th century.[25] Users of artificial Christmas trees assert that they are more convenient, and, because they are reusable, much cheaper than their natural alternative.[25] Between 2001 and 2007 artificial Christmas tree sales in the U.S. jumped from 7.3 million to 17.4 million.[37]

[edit] Environmental issues

[edit] Artificial


An artificial Christmas tree.
The debate about the environmental impact of artificial trees is ongoing. Generally, natural tree growers contend that artificial trees are more environmentally harmful than their natural counterpart.[37] On the other side of the debate, trade groups such as the American Christmas Tree Association, continue to refute that artificial trees are more harmful to the environment and maintain that the PVC used in Christmas trees has excellent recyclable properties.[38] In the past, lead was often used as a stabilizer in PVC, but is now banned by Chinese laws. Most trees are made of recycled PVC rigid sheets using Tin stabilizer in the recent years. Its use of Lead stabilizer in the old Chinese imported trees has been an issue of concern among politicians and scientists over recent years. A 2004 study found that while in general artificial trees pose little health risk from lead contamination, there do exist "worst-case scenarios" where major health risks to young children exist.[39] Another report, this time a 2008 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report, found that as the PVC in artificial Christmas trees aged it began to degrade.[40] The report determined that of the 50 million artificial trees in the United States approximately 20 million were 9 or more years old, the point where dangerous lead contamination levels are reached.[40] A professional study on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of both real and fake Christmas trees revealed that one must use its artificial Christmas tree at least during 20 years to leave an environmental footprint as small as the natural Christmas tree.[41]
A small amount of real-tree material is used in some artificial trees. For instance, the bark of a real tree can be used to surface an artificial trunk.[42]

[edit] Natural


Christmas tree recycling point in Paris, France
Natural Christmas trees on the other hand are entirely biodegradable and are generally disposed of in landfills.
Real or Cut trees are used only for a short time, but can be recycled and used as mulch or used to prevent erosion.[43] Real trees are carbon-neutral, they emit no more carbon dioxide by being cut down and disposed of than they absorb while growing.[44] An independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, conducted by a firm of experts in sustainable development, states that a natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gases every year (based on purchasing 5km from home) whereas the artificial tree will produce 48.3 kg over its lifetime.[41] Some people use Living Christmas or potted trees for several seasons, providing a longer life cycle for each tree. Living Christmas trees can be purchased or rented in by local market growers. Rentals are picked up after the holidays, while purchased trees can be planted by the owner after use or donated to local tree adoption/urban reforestation services.[45]
Live trees are typically grown as a crop and replanted in rotation after cutting, often providing suitable habitat for wildlife.[citation needed] In some cases management of Christmas tree crops can result in poor habitat since it sometimes involves heavy input of pesticides.[citation needed]
Concerns have been raised about people cutting down old and rare conifers, such as the Keteleeria evelyniana, for Christmas trees.

[edit] Decoration and ornaments

 This section does not cite any references or sources.
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[edit] Tree trimming decorations


A bauble decorating a Christmas tree

An LED lit Christmas tree
Tinsel and several types of garland or ribbon are commonly used to decorate a Christmas tree. Delicate mould-blown and painted coloured glass Christmas ornaments were a speciality of the glass factories in the Thuringian Forest especially in Lauscha in the late 19th century, and have since become a large industry, complete with famous-name designers. Lighting with candles or electric lights (fairy lights) is commonly done and a tree topper, traditionally either an angel or a star, completes the ensemble.
Silvered saran based tinsel was introduced later, although its inability to drape as well as metal tinsel led to the demise of tinsel in tree decorating in the United States (it remains popular in European countries). Baubles are another common decoration, consisting of small hollow glass or plastic spheres coated with a thin metallic layer to make them reflective, with a further coating of a thin pigmented polymer in order to provide colouration.


A toy bear Christmas decoration.
Individuals' decorations typically include a mix of family traditions and personal tastes; even a small unattractive ornament, if passed down from a parent or grandparent, may come to carry considerable emotional value and be given a place of pride on the tree. Conversely, trees decorated by professional designers for department stores and other institutions will usually have a "theme"; a set of predominant colours, multiple instances of each type of ornament, and larger decorations that may be more complicated to set up correctly. Some churches decorate with Chrismon trees, which use handmade ornaments depicting various Chrismon symbols.
Many people also decorate outdoor trees with food that birds and other wildlife will enjoy, such as garlands made from unsalted popcorn or cranberries, orange halves, and seed-covered suet cakes.

[edit] Tree mats and skirts


A tree of poinsettias in San Diego
Since candles were used to light trees until electric bulbs came about, a mat (UK) or skirt (US) was often placed on the floor below the tree to protect it by catching the dripping candle wax, and also to collect any needles that fall. Even when dripless candles, electric lights and artificial trees have been used, a skirt is still usually used as a decorative feature: among other things, it hides the Christmas tree stand, which may be unsightly but which is an important safety feature of home trees. What began as ordinary cloth has now often become much more ornate, some having embroidery or being put together like a quilt.
A nativity scene, model train, or Christmas village may be placed on the mat or skirt. As Christmas presents arrive, they are generally placed underneath the tree on the tree skirt (depending on tradition, all Christmas gifts, or those too large to be hung on the tree, as in "presents on the tree" of the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas").
Generally, the difference between a mat and skirt is simply that a mat is placed under the Christmas tree stand, while a skirt is placed over it, having a hole in the middle for the trunk, with a slot cut to the outside edge so that it can be placed around the tree (beneath the branches) easily. A plain mat of fabric or plastic may also be placed under the stand and skirt to protect the floor from scratches or water.

[edit] Christmas tree stand

A Christmas tree stand is an object designed to support a cut, natural Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree. Christmas tree stands appeared as early as 1876 and have had various designs over the years. Those stands designed for natural trees have a water reservoir to hydrate the live tree. Artificial Christmas trees usually have a plastic or metal stand, with 3 legs shaping like a Y.

[edit] Flocking

In the 1940s and 1950s flocking was very popular on the West Coast of the United States. There were home flocking kits that could be used with vacuum cleaners. In the 1980s some trees were sprayed with fluffy white flocking to simulate snow. Typically it would be sprayed all over the tree from the sides, which produced a look different from real snow, which settles in clumps atop branches. Flocking can be done with a professional sprayer at a tree lot (or the manufacturer if it is artificial), or at home from a spray can, and either can be rather messy. This tradition seems to be most popular on the West Coast and Southern parts of the United States.
Because flock contains flame retardants, a flocked tree can be placed in a public building in accordance with local fire codes.
In the late 1800's and, most probably, long before, home-made white Christmas trees were made by wrapping strips of cotton batting around leafless branches creating the appearance of a snow-laden tree. This family tradition eliminated killing and care of a live tree and needle drop in the house while providing a beautiful way of displaying ornaments. After Christmas, the cotton batting was unwrapped and stored with the Christmas presents and the branches were burnt or discarded. It is thought these home-made white trees at least, in part, inspired flocking popularized by Hollywood films in the late 1930s.

[edit] Controversy

The Christmas tree has seen an amount of controversy, mainly involving separation of church and state, the secular and non-secular usage of the tree as well as groups who oppose usage of the tree on the grounds of interpretation of scripture and pagan origins or pagan character of the custom.
In 2005, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport removed all of its Christmas trees in the middle of the night rather than allow a rabbi to put up a menorah near the largest tree display.[46] Officials feared that one display would open the door for other religious displays,[46] and, in 2006, they opted to display a grove of birches in polyethylene terephthalate snow rather than religious symbols or Christmas trees.[46]
In 2005, the city of Boston renamed the spruce tree used to decorate the Boston Common a "Holiday Tree" rather than a "Christmas Tree".[47] The name change drew a poor response from the public and was changed back to "Christmas Tree" after being threatened with several lawsuits by Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Alliance Defense Fund. In the same year, Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., asked that the tree that decorates the Capitol grounds to be renamed back to "Christmas tree". It had been renamed "Holiday tree" in the 1990s.[48]

[edit] Christianity


Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

In Kharkov
Jeremiah 10:1-5 in the Bible says the following (King James Version):
[1] Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
[2] Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
[3] For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
[4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
[5] They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
This is interpreted by some fundamentalist Christians as referring to a Christmas tree, and that therefore the Bible would explicitly forbid the practice. However, the more common interpretation is that the passage refers to idol worship, and it is the practice of making an object out of wood, silver, and gold, and then worshiping that idol.[49] Others feel that since "Christmas Trees" are not biblically ordained, they should not be used. Such individuals and Christian denominations, such as the United Church of God, are unlikely to celebrate Christmas at all, for the same reason.
Also, Isaiah 55: 13, refers to the evergreen tree as a joyful sign to the Lord in celebration of life everlasting, that shall not be cut off, though some apologists feel this is saying that the Messiah will live forever just like an evergreen tree never dies, (it doesn't lose it leaves when Autumn comes).
Some churches however use Christmas trees as decoration at Christmas time. Others use the same stripped Christmas tree as a Christian cross at Easter.[citation needed] See the poem The Dream of the Rood. Both Ezekiel 47:12 and the Book of Revelation 22:2 use trees as a symbol of new fruitful life, compared to the Tree of life denied Adam in Genesis 3:22-23. Paul makes the link between Adam and Christ clear in Romans chapter 5:
Adam is a type of the one who was to come. (v. 14)
In the same way the Christmas tree can be seen as mirroring the tree of life, a symbol or type of the Crucifix which brings redemption.[citation needed]


Syncretising traditions in Northern Spain, the Bilbao airport displays the foreign tree and the Basque Olentzero.
In some Catholic countries, the tree is seen as a recent Protestant or American influence detracting from the Mediterranean traditions of the Christmas crib.[citation needed] However in many Catholic homes, both types of decoration coexist.

[edit] Industry

See also: Christmas tree production
Each year, 33 to 36 million Christmas trees are produced in America, and 50 to 60 million are produced in Europe. In 1998, there were about 15,000 growers in America (a third of them "choose and cut" farms). In that same year, it was estimated that Americans spent $1.5 billion on Christmas trees.[50]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Balthasar Russow. 1584. Chronica der Provinz Lyfflandt.
  2. ^ a b Ingeborg Weber-Kellermann, Das Weihnachtsfest. Eine Kultur- und Sozialgeschichte der Weihnachtszeit, Luzern [u. a.] 1978, ISBN 3-7658-0273-5
  3. ^ Friedrich Amelung, Geschichte der Revaler Schwarzenhäupter: von ihrem Ursprung an bis auf die Gegenwart: nach den urkundenmäßigen Quellen des Revaler Schwarzenhäupter-Archivs 1, Die erste Blütezeit von 1399–1557. Reval: Wassermann, 1885.
  4. ^ Chartrand (2004), p. 311
  5. ^ a b Marling, Karal Ann. (2000) Merry Christmas! celebrating America's greatest holiday. P.4. p.244. Harvard University Press ISBN 0674003187
  6. ^ The girlhood of Queen Victoria: a selection from Her Majesty's diaries. p.61. Longmans, Green & co., 1912. University of Wisconsin
  7. ^ Lejeune, Marie Claire. Compendium of symbolic and ritual plants in Europe. p.550. University of Michigan ISBN 9077135049
  8. ^ The Prince Consort: man of many facets : the world and the age of Prince Albert. p.78 Oresko Books, 1977.
  9. ^ a b Shoemaker, Alfred Lewis. (1959) Christmas in Pennsylvania: a folk-cultural study. Edition 40. p.52,53. Stackpole Books 1999. ISBN 0811703282
  10. ^ "The History of Christmas". Gareth Marples. http://www.thehistoryof.net/the-history-of-christmas.html. Retrieved December 2, 2006. 
  11. ^ Professor Brought Christmas Tree to New England
  12. ^ Encyclopediavirginia.org
  13. ^ "Flashback Blog 'The World's Largest Decorated Christmas Tree'". Palm Beach Post. December 3, 2009. http://www.historicpalmbeach.com/flashback/2009/12/the-worlds-largest-decorated-christmas-tree. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  14. ^ Newcastle City Council Town twinning: Bergen, Norway
  15. ^ "Norwegian Christmas at Union Station: Tree Lighting Ceremony and Concert". Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway.org). 25 November 2008. http://www.norway.org/xmas/signatureevents/TreeLightingCeremony.htm. Retrieved 25 November 2008. [dead link]
  16. ^ a b "Lighting of the National Christmas Tree - History", President's Park - White House, nps.gov, accessed April 5, 2009.
  17. ^ Customs of the Weeks after Epiphany
  18. ^ Christmas Superstitions, December 2006
  19. ^ "Living Christmas Trees". Clemson University. http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/other/seasonal/hgic1751.html. Retrieved 2010-07-12. 
  20. ^ For.msu.edu
  21. ^ US Bureau of Land Management: Christmas tree permits
  22. ^ US National Christmas Tree Association: Statistics
  23. ^ MK Weihnachtsbaumkulturen
  24. ^ a b Forbes, Bruce David. Christmas: A Candid History, (Google Books), University of California Press, 2007, pp. 121-22, (ISBN 0520251040)
  25. ^ a b c d e f Hewitt, pp. 33-36.
  26. ^ a b Perkins, Broderick. "Faux Christmas Tree Crop Yields Special Concerns", Realty Times, December 12, 2003, accessed December 21, 2008.
  27. ^ Silverthorne, Elizabeth. Christmas in Texas, (Google Books), Texas A&M University Press, 1994, p. 62, (ISBN 0890965781).
  28. ^ Marling, Karal Ann. Merry Christmas!: Celebrating America's Greatest Holiday, (Google Books), Harvard University Press, 2000, pp. 58-62, (ISBN 0674003187).
  29. ^ Cole, Peter, et al. Christmas Trees: Fun and Festive Ideas, (Google Books), Chronicle Books, 2002, p. 23, (ISBN 0811835774).
  30. ^ Fortin, Cassandra A. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (1958)", The Baltimore Sun, October 26, 2008, accessed December 21, 2008.
  31. ^ Andrews, Candice Gaukel. Great Wisconsin Winter Weekends, (Google Books), Big Earth Publishing, 2006, p. 178, (ISBN 1931599718)
  32. ^ Berry, Jennifer. Fake Christmas Trees Not So Green", LiveScience.com, December 9, 2008, accessed December 21, 2008.
  33. ^ Neer, Katherine. "How Christmas Trees Work", howstuffworks.com, December 2006, accessed December 21, 2008.
  34. ^ "Table-top Christmas Tree", (Google Books), Popular Mechanics January 1937, p. 117.
  35. ^ "Glass Christmas Tree", Diablo Glass School, one-day course listing, accessed December 21, 2008.
  36. ^ "Demand Grows for Upside Down Christmas Tree", (Audio), National Public Radio, "All Things Considered", November 9, 2005, accessed December 21, 2008.
  37. ^ a b Hayes, Sharon Caskey. "Grower says real Christmas trees are better for environment than artificial ones", Kingsport Times-News (Kingsport, Tennessee), November 26, 2008, accessed December 21, 2008.
  38. ^ "Facts on PVC Used in Artificial Christmas Trees", American Christmas Tree Association, official site, accessed December 21, 2008.
  39. ^ Maas, Richard P. et al. Artificial Christmas trees: how real are the lead exposure risks? (Abstract via PubMed) Journal of Environmental Health, December 2004; 67(5): 20-4, 32, accessed December 21, 2008.
  40. ^ a b Levin, Ronnie, et al. "Lead Exposures in U.S. Children, 2008: Implications for Prevention", Environmental Health Perspective October 2008; 116(10): 1285–1293, accessed December 21, 2008.
  41. ^ a b Ellipsos Inc. "Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Christmas trees, A study ends the debate over which Christmas tree, natural or artificial, is most ecological", December 16, 2008; accessed online September 22, 2009.
  42. ^ Grist environmental commentary: Christmas trees
  43. ^ Engineer Update: Old Christmas trees protect town beach
  44. ^ Biello, David."I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas (Tree)", Scientific American, transcript, podcast, December 4, 2008, accessed December 22, 2008.
  45. ^ Christmastree.org
  46. ^ a b c "Nativity to be Allowed in Capitol Rotunda: Lawsuit Settlement Calls for Fair Treatment for Christian Beliefs". WorldNetDaily.com, October 23, 2007.
  47. ^ "Boston's "Holiday Tree" Sparks Controversy". TheHarvardCrimson.com. 2005. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=510132. Retrieved 2008-01-08. 
  48. ^ At Christmas, what's in a name?: ABC report, November 2005
  49. ^ Ourtribune.com
  50. ^ Chastagner, Gary A. and Benson, D. Michael (2000). "The Christmas Tree". Archived from the original on 2006-12-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20061206194229/http://apsnet.org/education/feature/1225tree/top.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-08. 

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Christmas tree
Wikisource has the text of the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article Christmas.

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