North Bay Woman Magazine
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1416326
F A L L | W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 NORTH BAY WOMAN 23 transplanted after the holidays, living trees can help keep our air clean, absorb Co2, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to animal habitats." There are so many benefits to buy- ing a living tree that it's like giving a Christmas gift to the planet. Keep the living tree happy inside If you decide to bring a living Christmas tree home for the holidays, you'll want to keep it healthy. Untermann suggests that you plan to keep it inside for only 10 to 14 days, keep it moist, and keep it away from a heat source or hot window. "You don't want it to dry out so it can become a fire hazard," he says. Because these trees can come in a variety of sizes from tiny-tabletop to 7 feet or higher, they can be deco- rated and used throughout the home just like any other tree. A tabletop tree for the bedroom of a young sports fan, for instance, can be decorated with small soccer, tennis or footballs, skates, horses or fishing poles. Or it could be trimmed with or- naments of fruit for a kitchen coun- tertop or with pretty decorations of birds, squirrels and acorns for a powder room. A slightly larger tree, decorat- ed with colorful weather-resistant globes, can welcome guests at the front porch while string lights and family heirloom ornaments can grace the largest living tree in a living or family room. You can find lots of inspiration at The Christmas House at West End Nursery, which has been a holiday tradition in Marin County since 1985. Its doors open in early November when holiday shoppers can browse a display of more than 60 themed trees with festive light strings and more than 10,000 ornaments for sale. Give your living Christmas tree a second life One of the most compelling rea- sons for choosing a living Christmas tree is that it can enjoy a second life after the holidays. Untermann says that many of his customers leave the slow-growing trees in their pots – or transplant them to a larger pot – to bring them in the following Christmas. Above: West End Nursery's annual holiday display is a must stop for decor, accessories and inspiration. Below: Smaller live Christmas trees decorate an entryway, tabletop or additional room in the house. – Photos courtesy of West End Nursery, istock/Getty Images