by jaybob

Created on: February 21, 2009

The deep and fragrant green of Balsam fir is an ornamental adornment as ancient and profound as any other Christmas tradition. The aromatic needles of the Balsam fir carry with them the timeless memories of sweet smelling bearded grandfathers in long winter coats, crimson candles nestled in balsam fir advent wreaths, and Christmas trees still smelling of December winter forests. Patricia DeLong, of Nova Scotia's DeLong Farms Christmas Wreaths has had a long history with Balsam fir and Balsam fir Christmas crafts. In order to select and care for your indoor Balsam fir Christmas trees and other Balsam products such as wreaths and centerpieces, a little advice and a few trade secrets will help keep your children's holiday memories as fragrant as your own.

Choosing Choice Balsam Fir:

"Finding beautiful Balsam fir is never very hard," Patricia explains, "The trick is to find those few discrete signs in the brush that can tell you just how hearty and full the Balsam fir will be after a month indoors." If you select Balsam fir that is not healthy enough, shedding, or harvested too early in the winter season, a Balsam fir Christmas tree or wreath will not keep for very long indoors. Inside your home, where the air is dry and warm, ill chosen Balsam fir can succumb and turn brown very quickly. This is why there are a few things you should keep in mind when cutting, harvesting, or purchasing Balsam fir.

The Freshness of the Brush

"Balsam fir should be as fresh and crisp as possible," Patricia emphasizes. "A few simple tests can tell you if the Balsam is healthy and moist inside, and still ideal for wreath making." By running your fingers against the grain of the fir, the needles should not fall off, but rather bounce back into place. This means the Balsam fir is still fresh and full of sap, keeping well when cut and used in Christmas wreaths and centerpieces. A Christmas tree should be selected in much the same manner; seeing to the robustness and health of the tree before using it as an indoor ornamental tree with electric lights and candles. By bending the outer stems of the tree, the Balsam fir should bend naturally and, again, bounce back into place. If the tree is not healthy enough, or too dry, the stems will snap and break dryly, showing there isn't sufficient moisture or sap in the Balsam fir's system to keep very long indoors.

The Needles:

"Nova Scotian Balsam fir farmers such as my brother, Jim DeLong, really appreciate the quiet idiosyncrasies of quality Balsam

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