The holiday season comes with a variety of traditions that many consider essential to getting in the holiday spirit. Traditional music, food, gift-giving, and decorations appropriate for the holiday are an important part of celebrations in many cultures worldwide. In the United States, many consider the holiday season to last from October to the end of the year. These winter months come with traditional seasonal plants used as decoration that must be carefully moved from farms to preserve their freshness when they arrive at their final destination to spread holiday magic.
History of Holiday Trees
Evergreen trees are a popular holiday choice and have been used in winter festivals and celebrations for thousands of years. They were used in Europe to decorate homes and temples for the winter solstice and as part of religious rituals. These trees were a sign of light and positivity in the dark winter months. Other plants like holly and mistletoe also have a long history of use in holiday celebrations. For years they have represented new life as they are some of the few plants that flower in winter.
Modern uses of evergreen trees often see them decked in ornaments, tinsel, ribbons, and other adornments and placed inside homes as a centerpiece of holiday decorations. This tradition has roots in Germany during the 16th century when trees were brought into homes and decorated with gingerbread nuts and apples. In the United States holiday trees began to be displayed outdoors in the mid 1700s and became much more popular in 1846 when Prince Albert and Queen Victoria publicly established their use of holiday trees. From there festivities grew to incorporate more colorful decor and candles to finally include the lights and fanfare that is common today.
Tree Farming and Care
While many people only think of holiday trees during the winter months for a tree farmer preparing for the holiday season is a year-long affair. From mowing grass around trees to keeping pests in check a lot of work goes into caring for holiday trees for years before they are cut down and purchased. It can take as many as 15 years to grow a typical-sized holiday tree although a marketable size can be reached in an average of seven years. Each year between 25-30 million live holiday trees are sold in the United States. To accommodate the demand for live holiday trees there are close to 350 million trees growing on farms in all 50 states. For each tree harvested about three seedlings are planted in the spring so consumers can continue to enjoy these trees each year.
There is a lot of care put into each harvested tree and several benefits that come with the industry. The holiday tree industry is responsible for providing over 100,000 jobs across 15,000 farms. In addition, they benefit the environment by preserving green space and producing oxygen. They are also typically planted in areas that cannot support other crops which can help reduce deforestation of natural wild spaces and provide a refuge for wildlife.
To make sure your holiday tree lasts throughout the holiday season it is essential to keep it hydrated. Ensuring your tree always has plenty of water can prevent the needles from drying and dropping onto the floor. It will also keep your tree fragrant and prevent branches from sagging toward the ground. If the water level drops too low the tree’s sap may seal the bottom and prevent it from absorbing any more water so keeping a close eye on that will greatly impact the health of your tree. Your holiday tree will likely need a quart or more of water each day to remain fresh all season long.
How to Ship Holiday Trees
Safely transporting holiday trees to be enjoyed by consumers can be a delicate process. Preserving freshness and preventing harsh conditions for trees before purchase is essential to retaining commercial value for trees after harvest. Many trees are harvested at the beginning of November and are available for purchase as early as Thanksgiving. Oregon and North Carolina are huge hubs for holiday trees and each can produce 300-400 loads per day during the five-week shipping season. Once a tree is cut it must be moved quickly so that it does not dry out and must be placed in water immediately upon arrival. To prevent trees from losing moisture in transit many are sprayed with ice before leaving tree farms.
Although many trees are shipped on flatbed trucks to allow for easier access when loading and unloading they should be avoided over long distances or during difficult weather as the trees are most exposed on this type of truck. Trees are often transported in dry vans or in refrigerated trucks to preserve freshness and protect from changes in temperature or humidity between their harvest location and final destination. Due to the need to deliver live trees quickly, less-than-truckload shipments are discouraged from making more than three stops when delivering trees.
Consulting industry experts about holiday tree shipping can help shippers avoid damage and ensure safe delivery. Shipping live trees requires a delicate hand and working with a third-party logistics company can help shippers connect with a network of trusted carriers who are experienced in moving sensitive loads. England Logistics ships millions of pounds of holiday trees each year and can provide access to needed capacity during the busy season.
Holiday trees have a special place in the hearts of many during the holiday season. A symbol of new life and growth during the dark winter months can help brighten homes as friends and family come together to celebrate. Delivering fresh healthy trees for consumers to enjoy can be a delicate process but a satisfying one as well. As the season kicks off we look forward to delivering holiday cheer one truckload at a time.
The England Logistics full truckload division offers services for companies of all sizes. Dedicated team members are available day and night to offer solutions and assistance with all logistical needs. Regardless of the transportation mode, our market and seasonal specialists provide flexible shipping solutions and are committed to helping every step of the way.