​I know there are militant anti-tree-choppers out there that say there’s something wrong with the annual harvest – I’m looking your way fake tree manufacturers, Ents, and Kim Jong-un. With all due respect to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Shepherds of the Trees”, cutting down real trees every December is actually better, and here’s why. 

First, you can’t beat real trees in the old-school Christmas tree nostalgia department. Second, the eco-footprint of an artificial tree is rather un-Christmassy since the plastic conifers come from far away “mom and pop” factories located in “traditional” Yuletide meccas such as China and Bangladesh. And fake trees are constructed of toxic materials that harm the environment and have EVEN been linked to poisoning some of Santa’s elves and reindeer. It’s all Ho! Ho! Horrendous! For more information on why real trees are better than artificial, click on the following Spruce Meadows link: http://www.sprucemeadowschristmastrees.com/why-buy-real.html
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​And yet, I must admit I too used to have tree-cutting guilt. WHAT??!!! Yep. I held this belief before I found the ‘light’, and I’ve been a firm believer in getting a real tree ever since.
 
But let me explain why I had this guilt to begin with…
 
I had to get over my anti-chopping attitude fairly quickly because I married into the family that owns and operates Spruce Meadows! But as a kid growing up in Kingston during the 70s and 80s, my family’s Christmas tradition never included a freshly cut spruce of fir. Every December, we used to gather around the step-ladder to watch my late father Hubert crawl into the attic and yank down the large dog-eared Woolco box containing an 8-foot “White Pine Special” with sprayed-on snow blanketing its long needle-tips. (The sound you hear is Charles Dickens rolling in his grave.) 

I guess watching Dad connect those wires and posts together using a trusty diagram had its own kind of romantic charm; plus, I didn’t know the difference back then since most families in my neighbourhood also had fake trees.
 
Anyway, back to cutting my first tree…
 
I whittled my choices down to two healthy evergreens but I still harboured niggling pangs of guilt regarding which spruce would be felled by my mighty Paul Bunyan-like axe. ​Actually, I used one of Spruce Meadows’ candy-cane-coloured hacksaws… but it was a manly-looking candy-cane-coloured hacksaw.

My choice didn’t quite rival Sophie’s Choice, nor was I afraid that a squirrel would leap out from the branches and attack my jugular. Nonetheless, the decision was torturous. After some soul-searching and quiet contemplation, I mustered enough courage to pick what I thought was a tree suitable for my apartment’s living-room, and sawed away. I cried and cried and cried, with tears freezing to my face, as I bored through its massive majestic trunk. I dragged the tree back to the farm to be bailed. My father-in-law saw my prize catch, further scarring me with his words: “You cut down a baby!” 

​To this day, I swear the 5-footer looked about the size of my old Woolco 8-foot “White Pine Special” when it was still rooted in the field. Humbug! 

The Second Cut (is the most important, so listen up!):

When you get your tree home, cut ¼ or ½ inches off the base, put it into the stand, and fill with water immediately. (Fresh-cut trees are thirsty and can drink up to 4-6 litres of water in the first day and a litre or more on the following days.)

Make sure the second cut is straight; this will make putting the trunk into the stand easier and it’ll also help the tree drink more efficiently.

 If you don’t plan on putting your tree up immediately, store it - for no longer than a few days (better freshness) - in a cool shaded area such as a porch or garage. Note: if you don’t re-cut the trunk before putting the tree in the stand, sap will seal the original cut and thus the tree will have trouble being able to drink water. 

As William Shakespeare once wrote in Hamlet: Where to put up your Christmas tree, where not to put up your Christmas tree? That is the Question.

To preserve your tree’s freshness once it has been erected in your home, try to keep it away from drying sources such as heating vents, radiators, fireplaces (for obvious reasons), and direct sunlight.

Safety Tip For Dummies:

Of course, nothing says “Traditional Christmas” like a fresh cut tree. But when it comes to lighting your spruce, pine, fir, etc., I highly recommend NOT going traditional, as in decorating branches with lit candles like our hip-but-dangerous forefathers did. Sure, lit candles will look really beautiful, but your house going up in flames will really NOT! That being said, please use newer model lights, and always remember to turn them off when you are not home, or turn in for the night. 

Ground-breaking, life-altering, a white-knuckle thrill-ride…

Arguably, none of these words will be used to describe my first-ever blog for Spruce Meadows Christmas Tree Farm. Regardless, thanks for checking in and I hope you enjoy reading this short piece with the not-so-short title:

What else is there in Flamborough besides farms, roadkill and Christmas Trees?

For those unfamiliar – or familiar - with the region and are looking for interesting and fun things to see and do to compliment your visit to Spruce Meadows, allow me to offer a few suggestions, and perhaps present some good gift ideas too!

First, do yourself a BIG favour and visit the tiny picturesque Rockton Village, home of the famous Rockton World’s Fair (it celebrated its 161st anniversary this past October), located just a stone’s throw, literally (one-minute drive toward Hamilton, just off HWY 8), from Spruce Meadows.

Saint Albans The Martyr United Church (the Gothic-inspired place of worship was built in 1869, but more importantly, I was married at its alter in 2006!).

Along with its sprawling fairgrounds, public library, limestone fire hall, two churches and small cluster of Victorian-era houses, Rockton’s main street is also home to two of the region’s true hidden treasures: Pavlo Pottery, makers of renowned handmade earthenware (I bet you don’t leave without buying something, even a mug or wine decanter); and The Cookhouse Bistro. Trip Advisor awarded the family-run restaurant with an impressive ****1/2/5, although I give it a perfect score.

Pavlo Pottery Studio and Shoppe

I get excited just thinking about The Cookhouse’s gourmet menu (including great wine choices), impeccable service, charming atmosphere and kid-friendly vibe. Speaking of the little ragamuffins, I’d even give up my soon-to-be-born first child in exchange for the recipe to one of the bistro’s signature dishes, specifically the delicious rolled spare ribs.

The Cookhouse’s interior is equally inviting.

No trip to the area is complete without a stop at the Rockton Berry Farm, located just outside of town on HWY 8. The throwback general store and market has something for everyone, from local crafts, cards, books and food (homemade pizza, pies, cakes, fruit and veggies, dairy, bread, meat etc.). Heck, there’s even a well-stocked LCBO with a pretty impressive variety of adult beverages (I’m particular to the many import and micro beer options … and I’ve sampled as many as humanly possible).

If you have ever wanted to experience Canadian history a la Black Creek Pioneer Village, located just down the road from Rockton is Westfield Heritage Village, again off HWY 8. The beautifully restored 30-building settlement offers interactive tours complete with costumed interpreters who reflect on what life was like in the 1800s. Take my word for it: Westfield Heritage Village is EVERY BIT as amazing as the aforementioned Toronto tourist mecca. Check the website for more details, including some special festive Christmas-themed events.    

And there’s more…

Flamborough Downs is located off HWY 5, 10-minutes east of the new Peter’s Corners roundabout linking HWY 8 to #5. The OLG-run gaming facility has slots, roulette wheels, craps, cards, harness racing and a sports pub. But for the love of Santa, please wager responsibly, because you wouldn’t want to blow all your Christmas savings and NOT have any money left to buy presents for your family...or your tree at Spruce Meadows!