JW: After the holiday cheer, it may be hard to let go to put away the decorations, especially that beloved Christmas tree. I'm Judy Wagley, this is “From the Ground Up.” I am at Vander Sys Tree Farm in Weidman, with Laura Allen. Thanks for having me here today, Laura.
LA: I'm so glad you came!
JW: Laura, what should we do with that beautiful tree after the holidays? What options do we have?
LA: Well, I think probably the easiest one is to set it outside for the birds. And I know that they recycle them, which you can't do that with a plastic tree. So it's very important to let it go back to the earth. And it will keep its needles outside usually well into March, and then it can be shelter for the birds.
JW: For the birds, should we feed them some way then too?
LA: Well, I mean, they do make little ornaments and stuff out of bird seed and pinecones and peanut butter, and roll them in bird seed--and I know my kids have done that. Or string popcorn and they birds really like that.
JW: That's a nice after the holiday project to do that too! Laura, you have a beautiful Christmas tree farm here. And of course these trees are growing all year long.
LA: It takes about seven years to grow a Christmas tree. So people think that it's just a fast income for us, but we've been growing that tree and taking care of it for seven years, and it's really quite a bargain. Because if you think a bouquet of flowers could be about the same price as a Christmas tree-- and that grew in one season. And we've been taking care of a tree for seven years.
JW: So the trees that you grow-- their mission is to make someone's home beautiful for the holidays.
LA: Exactly right. And the trees that don't make it for somebody's home we use for bows, and they're good for wreaths and roping garland. I make a lot of garland-- like almost a mile of garland every year.
JW: And then of course we can extend the life of that tree by putting it out for the birds, stringing the popcorn, putting the birdseed ornaments there-- and that tree has had quite a life hasn't it?
LA: It sure has.
JW: Laura Allen from Vander Sys Tree Farm in Weidman. Thank you for all you do to make the holidays so special.
LA: Thank you very much!
