See: we: 15 - Friday, December 12, 1986 - North Shore News Living Christmas trees add beauty to garden From page 13 living Christmas trees. Suitable spruces are: the little Alberta Spruce (picea glauca ‘con- ica’) usually sold in pots and useful only as table pieces, the Colorado Spruce (picea pungens) sold as small potted specimens to quite large B&B (balled and burlapped) sizes, the Norway Spruce (picea abies) is also available in pots or the larger sizes and the Serbian Spruce (picea omorika) from me- dium to larger sizes and my favorite. When purchasing a live tree you should think about the use you will put it to once the holiday season is past. The dwarf Alberta Spruce will lend itself best to the patio if kept in a sunny, well ventilated location. It is somewhat suscepti- ble to spider mite and spruce aphid. The Colorado Spruce, and I in- clude the many blue varieties here, are seen as beautiful garden trees throughout the North Shore and if pruned yearly can be used as patio trees for many years. it too, is desired by spider mite and spruce aphid and if you were to back into its stiff, needle-sharp needles in your p.j.’s on Christmas morning you would not think it a gift worth receiving. The Norway Spruce is a poor candidate in my opinion. It makes a much too large and ungainly specimen (100+ ft. high by 40+ ft. wide) of little if any use. It is the gourmet treat for spruce aphid. The Serbian Spruce is a beautiful and graceful garden tree, forming a tall, slender, spire-like silhouette if left to its own devices. It has softer, more friendly needles than its rivals and will maintain its bush habit chroughout its life. By tip pruning every spring, be- fore the new growth fuliy matures, and root-pruning every fall this tree makes a lovely patio tree which can be used again and again indoors at Christmas. All of the care you would take with a cut tree should be consid- ered for the live tree. A container with ample drainage and a drainage tray will do as temporary quarters, but a wooden tub is best if the tree is to become a patio feature. Keep the soil moist but not wet, avoid setting the tree close to any direct sources of heat and use an doors. antidessicant such as ‘Wilt-Pruf’ to avoid excessive drying while in- The tree should be indoors for 10 to 12 days only and then moves indoors and out should be inter- rupted by a stay in the garage or some other cool halfway house. A Sept iiotrie aad Automatic Outdoor Lighting Contro! PRS Protect your home and business Security & Safety Light watch saves enough money over two years to pay for itself. PHILIP HAINES 980-0571 lanes “SOLID OAK” Coffee & End Tables >> “SOLID OAK’’ Kitchen & Dining Room Tables Glass or Wood Tops many, many styles & sizes to choose from including _ fectangle AEA TSI TEE neh i Also Round & Oval Styles Available x OUR PRICE GUARANTEE x | .. although we are known for our high quality & low prices ... NO! we won't just meet any competitor's price Bs i BRe YES! ww BX fm we'll beat their price by 0 on the same product. NOBLE HUNTINGTON ARISTOCRAT TROY BEVERLY TU EAA FP fev Mes: Se fee Weiser has five styles in many finishes to give your decor that perfect finishing touch. Simple easy to follow instructions make Weiser locks a snap to install. 10§ SPOTS RARE Hollyoumnm Lumber 3147 Woodbine Drive North Vancouver Woodstop Building Supplies 1335 Draycott Road North Vancouver %, ol “SOLID OAK” & upholstered chairs many, many styles to choose from wr) ad fortes! specially SUPER SAVINGS ON ALL jor At é aed “SOLID OAK” Table & chairs to help you save even mor Wide range of styles to enhance any kitchen or dining room “SOLID OAK” and Gak Plywood s priced sets e q fe? (Mes! ¢ Bedroom Suites * Stereo & TV Stands © and much more 986-5281 Windsor Plywood 309 Kennard Ave. North Vancouver 985-1344 Hollyburn Lumber 160 Haynes Street North Vancouver 980-3484 Beaver Lumber 915 W. Ist North Vancouver 987-9374 986-3361 Paina Hardware 90 Lonsaale Ave, North Vancouver 987-2241 Bowen Building Centre Trout Lake Road Bowen Isiand 922-3811 Distributed by: SMITH-BARREGAR LTD. WEISER