2. Making a Green Christmas

A writer of the seventeenth century declared that "a green Christmas is neither handsome nor healthful." He was referring to Christmas outdoors, of course. Indoors, the use of evergreens in decoration is traditional. It is interesting to note that evergreens were not used, at first, for their decorative value, but because of their symbolism.

In many parts of the world, any tree which seems to defy the killing cold of winter is given a mystical significance and is frequently associated with religious feasts and ceremonies. The evergreen tree serves this purpose beautifully. It brings nature indoors. The scent of some, such as the balsam fir, adds fragrance to beauty and builds up enduring memories. Perhaps the sense of smell is the most nostalgic of all. We are probably remembering our childhood when we say that a decorated room not only looks, but "smells like Christmas."

Americans inherited the use of evergreens for Christmas decorations from a varied ancestry. They have used them so freely and enthusiastically, indeed, that some species have been threatened by extinction. Fortunately, many people interested in conservation of our natural resources have paid due attention to the evergreens. They have made garden club members, if not others, aware of the fact that certain evergreens may be used freely, while others need protection from individuals carried away by Yuletide exuberance.

Each section of the United States has its own problem. Everywhere, or nearly everywhere, there is a wealth of plant material, but some species are plentiful in some states and scarce in others. For this reason conservation committees of garden clubs have published lists of plants that should not be used for decorations, or should be harvested carefully.

It is impossible to recommend plants for all sections. Everywhere, it seems to me, it is wise to use but not abuse, to cut carefully, and to plant and produce the evergreens most needed. In general it may be said that balsam fir, white pine, spruce, hemlock, red cedar, arbor-vitae, juniper, yew, box, ivy, barberry and privet are plentiful and may be used freely. Holly, laurel and ground pine are relatively scarce and should be used with respect and discretion.

Holly belongs to Christmas by tradition, but it does not flourish in the wild in all parts of the country. Fortunately for the Christmas decorator, it is now being grown commercially in many places, especially Oregon. There it is harvested properly and legally. This is also true of Christmas trees. Great numbers are sent to market from our national forests, where they are selected and cut with forethought for the future of our timberlands.

Sometimes scarcity is a good thing. It inspires a search for substitutes, and sometimes the substitute turns out to be more satisfactory than the original commodity. Because holly grew scarce and it was no longer quite respectable to use it freely for wreaths, decorators became interested in other appropriate greens. Now holly no longer commands the scene, for nearly every kind of plant supplies material for holiday decorations.

The center of the Christmas picture is still the tree itself. Many different trees may be used, but some are much better for the purpose than others. The best are the firs (Abies), the white, Nordmann and balsam, because they do not shed their needles. The balsam fir (Abies balsamea) has the added charm of fragrance. Many people do not know evergreens by name, but the difference between the fir and spruce can be detected by touch. Most firs are soft, while spruce trees are prickly as pincushions. More technically, fir needles are attached to their stems by suction-like cups at the base. In addition to the true firs, a tree of good qualities is the so-called Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia).

Common hemlock is frequently used but would be much better left outdoors. As Emily Dickinson wrote, "the hemlock's nature thrives on cold," and its needles fall rapidly in the heat of the house, unless the tree or branches are kept in water. If the ends of hemlock stems are sharpened and inserted in white potatoes they will keep fairly fresh. This is true of all greens, but the hemlock properly belongs outdoors. The common hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a magnificent tree. Few can compare with it for grace and beauty. In winter, with its branches weighted down with snow, it is far more lovely than any man-made decorations of the season. And to walk in a grove of old hemlocks at any time of the year is a moving spiritual experience. The needles are a beautiful dark green, desirable and suitable for Christmas, but they drop so soon indoors that decorations in which they are used often grow shabby before they have been fully enjoyed.

Pines (Pinus) are not very popular for Christmas trees, though they are used in some parts of the country. The white pine and the Austrian are probably the most satisfactory. Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and arborvitae (Thuja) are seldom used, except in sections where they grow wild.

Many people like to trim living trees, which are certainly most attractive. Some gardeners can point with pride to trees that have celebrated a Merry Christmas and lived for many years more to add beauty to a home's surroundings. The spruces (Picea) are preferable for this purpose. The Norway spruce is least desirable, but also the least expensive in most localities. Indoors it is important to give living trees plenty of water so that they will not die soon after they are planted in the open.

So much for the choice and care of the tree. For wreaths and cut branches there is also a good selection of evergreens. Yew (Taxus) is a rich dark green, similar to hemlock, but more rigid. It does not shed its needles. Of the pines, the white, Scotch and yellow are the most popular. They are valuable for sprays and to work in among other evergreens of heavier texture and darker shades. They keep their needles well. The colors vary; one of the most useful is the white pine, a blue green which adds a light and airy look to other greens in wreaths and displays.

Arborvitae (Thuja), the junipers (Juniperus) and false-cypress (Chamaecyparis) may be had in many varieties. Chamaecyparis pisifera squarrosa is desirable for its color and feathery effect. There are other hues available in. these greens-dark green, blue-green, yellowish or golden. The false cypress has the advantage of being easier to handle than the prickly spruces and junipers.

Many of the broad-leaved evergreens are suitable for our purpose. American holly (Ilex opaca) has dull leaves in contrast to the dark and shining foliage of the English holly (Ilex aquifolium). American holly is hardier than the English, but not nearly so handsome. The leaves and fruits of both are very decorative. The leaves of evergreens vary in size and color. Boxwood (Buxus), Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), western huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), and the evergreen barberries (Berberis) are all small-leaved. Rhododendrons, mountain laurel (Kalmia lati-folia), evergreen privets (Ligustrum) and leucothoe have larger and longer leaves. Those of the galax are round, dark green and bronzy in color. English ivy (Hedera helix) also gives a rounded effect; the Oregon holly grape (Mahonia) and the hollies (Ilex) are more pointed.

Some plants should not be cut, unless they are plentiful on your own property. California laurel (Umbellularia californica), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and ground pine (Lycopodium) need protection until the supply increases. The lycopodiums spread by running stems, which careless harvesters root up in great masses. It takes seven years for a plant to reach maturity from a spore, so the need for protection is apparent.

All evergreens should be cut carefully with clean, sharp shears so that wounds will quickly heal. Proper cutting stimulates growth and thickens the plant. Although the correct time for pruning is before new growth starts, winter trimming does no harm.

Bundles of mixed evergreens are obtainable from most nurserymen at Christmas time. Many nurseries also ship gift boxes of greens, a present welcomed by those who make their own Merry Christmas. Collections usually include fir, leucothoe, galax leaves, holly and Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). The broom is linear in form and fine for arrangements. Add a few suitable berries to these gift materials, arrange them artistically, and a really satisfying decoration will result. (Drawing 23, top).

If these evergreens are not available in quantity, preparation for Christmas should not stop with buying and setting up a tree. Instead acquire two trees. Cut up the extra one for wreaths and other decorations.

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