By Bernie Bell
I was thinking of the fact that Christmas trees are already appearing, indoors.
So, I’m going to make a suggestion. Could folk please try to buy a rooted tree? Keep it watered while it’s indoors, then, if you have a garden, plant it out after Christmas. Each tree can be a memory of that Christmas, and, if you have a bit of land, you could end up with nice piece of coniferous woodland!
We tried this, for a few years, where we live, but I think the salt air is not good for the coniferous trees, and they died. So, we got a whirly willow obelisk. We twine lights around it, hang sparkly decorations from it, and it looks very jolly and festive – but no trees have to die in the process! It doesn’t even harm the willow, to have been cut to make the obelisk, as trimming strengthens willow.
This is just a suggestion, which might mean that so many trees are not grown, and cut down, only to die, pointlessly.
Editor’s note: No trees were harmed in the making of The Orkney News
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How faithful are thy branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How faithful are thy branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Green not alone in summertime,
But in the winter’s frost and rime;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How faithful are they branches.