Women in Comfortable Shoes

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12/02/2003: "Fresh Cut (Part One)"

As we've done for the previous three years, Mel and I trekked to Elgin the weekend after Thanksgiving to cut our own Christmas tree. Because the tree is freshly cut, it doesn't curl up and die before Santa can eat his cookies and milk. Plus, it smells so good.

Evergreen Farms is our tree farm of choice. However, there are several tree farms all around Austin. You can find one at the Texas Department of Agriculture.

To those who wait until the week before Christmas to get your tree from the corner lot, here's a little tip: Those trees are the same trees that were sitting there on Dec. 1 and that were cut on Oct.1 somewhere in the Northwest and shipped to Texas. They don't get any fresher if you wait.

Advantages of cutting your own tree:
* It lasts a LOT longer than those trees you buy from a lot or nursery.
* Your money doesn't drive away in an RV with out-of-state-plates.
* After Christmas, you can recycle it with the city or mulch it yourself. If you live near the coast, you can use it in beach conservation efforts.
* Trees are a renewable resource. They clean the air and release oxygen.
* You get to spend a couple of hours in the country, enjoying the crisp autumn air.
* If you go to Evergreen Farms, you can pet the tiny donkeys and feed the silly goats.
* It's fun for the whole family, even if they don't come along to pick it out. If they come along, fine. If not, you have an afternoon in the fresh air to yourself and later you can brag about braving the dangers of dodging monster cow patties and wielding a sharp saw to cut down your wonderful tree.

You win either way.

Tomorrow: Tips on Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree