Little Helpers Carry Out Big Mission

A Lacoochee Elementary School kindergarten class arrived at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm on Tuesday morning wearing Santa hats and ready for a special holiday mission.

Gov. Charlie Crist needed a Christmas tree, and these were the kids for the job. They followed tree farm owner Tony Harris out among his prized trees, searching for one that seemed most gubernatorial.

With some prompting from Harris, who had scouted the area earlier, the children found it: a 12-foot Southern red cedar that will grace a spot outside the governor's office in Tallahassee, standing majestically beneath a 10-foot ceiling.

"It has to be shortened," Harris said.

Harris and his wife, Debbie, own the tree farm off U.S. 301 in southern Hernando County. Each year, a member of the Florida Christmas Tree Association provides the governor's tree, and the Harrises have done it several times.

The Harrises like to share the honor. So Debbie Harris called Carol Boyett, an old classmate from Pasco High School who teaches kindergarten at Pasco County's Lacoochee Elementary, a few miles south of the tree farm.

"I was really delighted when she asked us to come over to cut a tree for the governor," Boyett said.

Harris carried a saw to take down the tree, crawling beneath its branches. Apparently, the job became too much for him.

"I think I need a hand," he said to the children.

Mario Campos, 5, was ready for action.

Mario crawled beneath the tree, gripped the saw with Harris, and the two of them felled the great cedar together.

A parade of kindergartners grabbed the cedar and helped Harris carry it, singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as they brought in their prize.

"I've got some good helpers," Harris said.

He put the tree on a machine that shook off loose needles.

"It's a dancing tree," said Principal Karen Marler as the delighted kindergartners watched the tree shimmy.

Harris then put the tree through a baler that wrapped it in netting. He pushed the tree through one end of the baler, then tried to pull it through the other end.

Once again, though, he needed help. Caleb Oakley, 5, stepped forward.

Caleb grabbed the tree and, together, he and Harris tugged until the cedar came free of the baler, ready for shipping to the governor.

TREE-BUYING TIPS

LOOK FOR FRESH TREES: Ask where the tree comes from and when it was cut. Look for a retail lot that keeps trees under cover, away from sunlight and, ideally, in water to prevent dehydration.

GREEN IS GOOD: Inspect the trees for signs of dryness or deterioration. Trees should appear green and healthy; reject any trees withdiscolored foliage, a musky odor and wrinkled bark. Do they have a fragrance and flexible needles, or are they drying and stiff?

CHECK NEEDLES: Tap the tree on the ground or run your fingers along the length of the branch. If you get a rain of needles, the tree most likely will not last long.

DON'T FORGET TO MEASURE: Make sure the tree will fit where you intend to put it. Consider the height of the tree when placed in a stand and whether you'll top it with an ornament. Also consider the space needed when the branches are fully unfolded.

WATER WELL: Get the tree home and in water as quickly as possible. Plain tap water works well. Cutting an inch disk off the base of the tree before mounting it in its stand will enhance water absorption. Keep the tree's base in water. Once the tree's base dries out, cut off another inch to ensure proper uptake of water.

Source: University of Florida, IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County