Fir sure Fir trees can’t grow in Dixon, which is all of 86 feet above sea level, so Seifert brings in noble and Douglas firs grown in the mountains in California and elsewhere.
When the tree comes home … Seifert recommends washing the tree with a garden hose and letting it dry in the garage before bringing it inside. Water it every day for aweek, then check every other day thereafter. Also, avoid placing it near a heating vent, she said, as that’s liable to dry out the tree.
Tree anatomy 101 So how does a tree absorb water once it’s in your home? The cambium is key—that’s the layer under the bark responsible for tree growth. Before sending a tree home with a customer, farmemployees will recut the trunk to expose fresh cambium. Don’t let the water run dry, Seifert said: “Once it does, just like a cut on your arm, it’s going to heal over and then it’s never going to drinkmoisture again, unless you were to recut that cambium layer.”
A job for the kids Seifert likes to recruit her youngest customers to look after the trees they’ve chosen to take home. She’ll ask children, within earshot of their parents: “You look big enough to be able towater the tree. Why don’t you make that your job every morning?” And why would Seifert do that? “Because a kid is going tomake sure it’s done.”
What about the pandemic? As with everything else, the farm has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and certain activities may be closed or restricted. As one example: Seifert had to cancel farm tours this year. Planning to visit Silveyville or another tree farm in your area? Call ahead.
Kevin Hecteman khecteman@californiabountiful.com
Powered by FlippingBook