Christmas tree thoughts

[leechlake]

Bobby Bass mentioned something in a grouse hunting thread about finding a Christmas tree out grouse hunting, I didn't want to hijack the thread so here's my response:

Bobby-one year I did find the perfect tree grouse hunting.  Actually there were two right next to each other that I had my eye on for a while.  Usually when we go to the cabin for Christmas we try to find a tree but they are pretty thin, kind of like a Charlie Brown tree.  At home we buy one and they are pretty nice.  These two were absolutely perfect so I figured I'd bring one home.  One issue is they were both about thirty feet tall.  Muzzy season a few years later I had hatched the perfect plan.   We have a two story living room at home with a big picture window looking out at a pond and marsh, perfect spot for an approximate 19 foot tree.

We live 190 miles from the cabin, where the tree was.  I hooked up my ten foot trailer that has about 2 feet of axel from tongue to trailer.  I cut a tree down and then trimmed it to around twenty feet.  I nearly had a heart attack getting the behemoth into the trailer and then up into the bed of the pick up.   It still stuck out of the trailer a bit.   

I drove home like Clark W Griswald, received a few horn beeps and thumbs up en route and when I get home my kids jumped for joy and my wife wanted to kill me.  It took her three days just to get the lights on and she had to use a pole to do it (it's tradition for me to watch her trim the tree).  All furniture had to be removed from the living room.  The tv was worthless but holy cow did that tree look good when people saw it in the window and it looked amazing from inside although a bit hard to get the full effect from a short distance away.

Funny part is that every year we almost get a divorce when I put the normal 9 foot tree in the stand and she doesn't direct me the way I want her to.  This 19 footer, once in the stand and stood up, was the easiest one ever.  It was hard getting in the house through the door and harder getting out.  Last time we ever did the double decker tree, but if we ever do it again I know where that trees twin brother is.

Below is last years C. Brown tree at cabin, we loved it all the same...

Edited December 1, 2015 by leechlake

[leech~~]

Bobby Bass mentioned something in a grouse hunting thread about finding a Christmas tree out grouse hunting, I didn't want to hijack the thread so here's my response:

Bobby-one year I did find the perfect tree grouse hunting.  Actually there were two right next to each other that I had my eye on for a while.  Usually when we go to the cabin for Christmas we try to find a tree but they are pretty thin, kind of like a Charlie Brown tree.  At home we buy one and they are pretty nice.  These two were absolutely perfect so I figured I'd bring one home.  One issue is they were both about thirty feet tall.  Muzzy season a few years later I had hatched the perfect plan.   We have a two story living room at home with a big picture window looking out at a pond and marsh, perfect spot for an approximate 19 foot tree.

We live 190 miles from the cabin, where the tree was.  I hooked up my ten foot trailer that has about 2 feet of axel from tongue to trailer.  I cut a tree down and then trimmed it to around twenty feet.  I nearly had a heart attack getting the behemoth into the trailer and then up into the bed of the pick up.   It still stuck out of the trailer a bit.   

I drove home like Clark W Griswald, received a few horn beeps and thumbs up en route and when I get home my kids jumped for joy and my wife wanted to kill me.  It took her three days just to get the lights on and she had to use a pole to do it (it's tradition for me to watch her trim the tree).  All furniture had to be removed from the living room.  The tv was worthless but holy cow did that tree look good when people saw it in the window and it looked amazing from inside although a bit hard to get the full effect from a short distance away.

Funny part is that every year we almost get a divorce when I put the normal 9 foot tree in the stand and she doesn't direct me the way I want her to.  This 19 footer, once in the stand and stood up, was the easiest one ever.  It was hard getting in the house through the door and harder getting out.  Last time we ever did the double decker tree, but if we ever do it again I know where that trees twin brother is.

 

I have a buddy who one year late season Bow hunting wanted to pick up a X-Mas tree during the weekend in the woods. As we drove around doing some scouting during the day and maybe a little spot and stalk. He kept yelling out "There's one" I'd say where? Right there that one is a prefect size and shape!  I'd say dude shut the heck up! I'm trying to find a Deer!

[Bobby Bass]

Over the years I have written several stories in my Lake Iwanttobethere thread about Christmas tree hunting. My neighbor Chuck has a relative who owns a Christmas tree farm and over the course of many season some of the trees were never harvested because they were to wide or to short or to full on one side or to skinny on another. People can be picky when hunting for that perfect tree and you of course can not blame them unless you are in the tree selling business. Over the years as these unwanted trees were passed over they grew to the point where they are no longer even looked at as being harvestable, They are orphans. There is some good grouse hunting in this area and when the snow is like this year no where to be seen walking is easy and we can get back to look over the orphans. We shoot the tops off the orphans and bring them home for our Christmas trees. Now before you say anything about a terrible way to hurt a tree we go back and see orphan trees that have grown split tops to replace where the original top was. We have topped trees back there for well over thirty years and the twin top orphans guard the farm and look over it. lot of memories back there and now we may have to wear our glasses and it may take a few extra shots but those orphaned trees look pretty good back at the cabins.

[smurfy]

Bah-humbug!

[leechlake]

Bobby- I'm in the lumber business so hurting a tree feeds my family.  No problem at all.   Interesting concept.

[reinhard1]

My story with real trees dates back to the 60's and 70's.  We would go where we went deer hunting.  Plenty to choose from back then [and still is].  My dad would pick one out and we would cut it down and bring it home.  We would do it like we did in Germany, real candles and no lights.  We would dress it up and my mom would hang candy and cookies on the tree.  We would not dare to touch any of the goodies.  Guess we never worried about the house burning down.  I think my dad put the candles in spots not close to other branches.  The room sure smelled good with that tree.  Now we have artificial trees.  good luck.

[SHAWSKI]

we often do the charlie brown christmas tree hunt. I'm always a bit nervous coming out of the state forest with a tree sticking out the back of the truck. not like I'm going to get in trouble, because I can back track and take an officer or forester or what ever right back to the little stump on my own property within the state forest where we cut the tree. But I just don't want the hassle of having to prove innocence, especially with the kids along and with what's supposed to be a fun outing.

I don't let the concern stop me though, we do it anyways and it's a fun thing to do.

The wild trees can be a little empty compared to the groomed and painted tree farm trees. lol!

 

But it's still fun, and making them look good at home is maybe a little more satisfying when we go that route.

 

 

[RebelSS]

My Mom always put up a stupid Aluminum one with the revolving color wheel. Just like Lucy wanted in a Charlie Brown Christmas. 

Those dopey things are now selling for well over $200.

 

 

[leechlake]

many times when I was a kid we went with the "flocked" white tree.  Very 1970's but at least the folks didn't get the pink flocked tree.  The were readily available.  I'm sure the pink die on the carpet later made it a one and done thing.

[RebelSS]

many times when I was a kid we went with the "flocked" white tree.  Very 1970's but at least the folks didn't get the pink flocked tree.  The were readily available.  I'm sure the pink die on the carpet later made it a one and done thing.

And when the dog ate some branches, it was pink logs.  

Edited December 1, 2015 by RebelSS