Living Christmas Trees

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Arizona Community Tree Council Encourages Arizonans to

Add Even More Trees to the 2012 Count

PHOENIX, Arizona (December 8, 2011) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . for tree decorating and trees for the planting and more trees for counting . . . Well, that’s not exactly how the song goes, but that’s how we feel at the Arizona Community Tree Council, where we’re in the midst of one of our busiest seasons where we make a list and check it twice on the number of trees that have been planted in Arizona this year and encourage homeowners and businesses to plant Christmas trees.

The Arizona Community Tree Council is very proud to report that 7,316 trees have been planted in Arizona this year, which is a huge 665 percent increase over the 2010 count of 1,100.

“We couldn’t be happier to be greener and cooler with 7,316 more trees. The benefits of adding trees in communities throughout Arizona are huge, making Arizona greener, cooler and cleaner. Adding trees also builds communities and encourages homeowners to put down roots,” said Harold Hummer, president of the Arizona Community Tree Council (ACTC).

More trees add to Arizona’s canopy, making Arizonans and their houses cooler. It reduces pollutants in the air, making Arizona cleaner. A cooler and cleaner community results in lower air conditioning bills for residents and businesses throughout Arizona. If homeowners and businesses plant trees on the west, south and/or east side of their homes, they would save 20 percent on their

Green is the New Fresh Fall Color

Salad a Day program aims to improve health and wellness

(PHOENIX, Ariz., November 15, 2011) – Had enough of summer? Fall springs eternal as most of us look forward to experiencing the fresh outdoors and opening windows that have long been shuttered to protect us from the blistering heat that seems to last for an eternal summer season.

Duncan Family Farms is right with you and wants to share your enthusiasm about the arrival of a crisper, cooler season by sharing with you their fall bounty of fresh greens. Beyond the asphalt network of roads, office buildings, convenient stores and fast food outlets is the Duncan Family Farm in Goodyear that is harvesting fresh crops of cool, crisp greens from their rich fertile soil.

Duncan Family Farms is making it easy for you to get their fresh leafy greens and fantastic vegetables this season through their new program: “Salad-A-Day ~ the Duncan-Way.”

Responding to requests from the public, Duncan is bringing the farm to your fork by offering this health and wellness

Living Christmas Trees

PHOENIX, Arizona (September 20, 2011) – Daniel Stevens climbed to the No. 2 spot in at the 2011 ISA International Tree Climbing Championships that were held in Sydney, Australia July 23 – 24. Stevens placed second in the world in the belayed speed climb with a time of 25:90 seconds and finished as the sixth-best climber overall in the World at the international championships, which drew 62 of the world's best climbers from 19 countries. All 62 competitors advanced from regional competitions in their own countries to qualify for the international climbs.

Stevens placed second in belayed speed climb, placing behind Mark Chisolm, from New Jersey, with a time of 24:82. Chisolm won the ITCC 2010 championships. Placing sixth overall in the world, Stevens' competitors who placed first through fifth included No. 1 Scott Forrest of New Zealand, No. 2 Jared Abrojena form the U.S., No. 3 Joe Harris from Australia, No. 4 Johan Gustavsson from Sweden, No. 5 Jonathon Turnball from the UK.

Join Duncan Family Farms in the Third Annual Friends of the Poor® Walk on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at The Hammers Complex on 99th Avenue and McDowell at 5:00 p.m. The three-mile Walk is a unique fund raising effort organized nationally and locally by Councils and Conferences of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul. It allows community members from all walks of life across the country to participate in a simultaneous, nationwide event to raise national awareness of the challenges faced by the nation’s poor and to raise significant funds for use in direct service to the poor. Funds raised locally will be used locally.

Duncan Family Farm's goal is to raise $10,000 as participants in the Annual Friends of the Poor® Walk. Arnott and Kathleen Duncan have a strong commitment to food access and participation in this national effort is one more way to support their goals.

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Living Christmas Trees

Living Christmas Trees

From the Arizona Community Tree Council

Living trees are a perfect choice for those who want to plant a tree after the holidays. Living trees absorb carbon dioxide, supply oxygen, reduce soil erosion, increase property values, reduce energy use and beautify our surroundings.

Look for varieties that will grow in your area. For the low deserts choose Aleppo Pine, Eldarica (Afghan) Pine, Canary Island or Italian Stone Pine. For higher elevations look for Austrian Pine, Pinon Pine, Douglas Fir or Arizona Cypress. Make sure that the tree you choose will fit into your landscape. Most trees used as Christmas trees will eventually reach heights of 40 feet.

Living Christmas trees can be purchased at many nurseries and garden centers and at some retail lots and choose-and-cut farms. Purchase your tree early for the best selection. Look for trees with healthy, well-colored needles. Avoid those that show brown tips, are yellowing or shedding. Container-grown trees should not be root-bound. After purchase, be especially careful to avoid injury to the tree’s root system. Do not carry the tree by its trunk or drop it. Living trees can be stored in your yard until ready to bring inside, if you keep the soil moist.

Planning Ahead

Leave the tree outside or in a cold garage until you're ready to decorate it - keeping in mind that a living pine tree can stay inside only for about 10 days.

Living trees are very heavy due to the soil volume in the container. Be sure that you can manage to move this much weight around without damaging either the tree or yourself.

Clean your tree before you bring it inside - brush off dead needles and spider webs and wipe off dust.

Locate the tree indoors in as cool a location as possible. Keep it away from heating vents, fireplaces and other heat sources. Use limited numbers of miniature tree lights.

Provide as much natural light as possible.

Place a protective shield under the tree’s container to prevent damage to floors or tabletops.

Check the soil daily for dryness - it should stay damp but not wet, and it will need more water inside than it needs outside. Ice cubes can be used to water the tree if you like. They melt slowly and can prevent overwatering.

Move the tree back outside as soon as possible after the holidays.

After the Holidays

Living Christmas trees make great additions to the landscape. After the holidays, readjust the tree to outdoor temperatures by placing it back on a sheltered porch or in the garage for several days. It is important to plant your tree as soon as possible after the holidays. Do not wait until spring. Refer to Arizona Tree Planting Guidelines for tips on planting your tree. http://www.aztrees.org/tree_planting_guide.pdf

If you find you don’t have room in your yard, consider donating it. Some communities have urban-forestry programs that accept donations of living Christmas trees for planting in a local park or church. Contact your city parks & recreation department for more information.

Some Alternatives

If the work of bringing a live tree in and out of the house seems excessive, consider planting the tree directly outside and decorating it there. This can become an enjoyable occasion that is less stressful on both you and the tree.

Norfolk Island pine is a pine-like houseplant that you can use as a Christmas tree for many years. Norfolk Island pines must have evenly bright light that reaches all the branches to maintain good form. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but the plant must never sit in water.

What if you purchased a fresh cut tree?

Instead of sending your tree to the landfill, why not recycle it? Many communities schedule tree pick-up days or provide drop off locations where trees will be chipped and used for mulch and compost.

About the Arizona Community Tree Council

The Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc. (ACTC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and planting of trees, and promotes the education and exchange of information about trees and the essential role they play in the wellbeing of all Arizona communities. The Council is composed of representatives from individual Arizona counties, tribal communities, government agencies, professional organizations and other individuals who have a statewide interest in the Council’s mission. To learn more, or to become a member of ACTC visit www.aztrees.org.