The Joy of Gardening

[homoe]

If you're not wanting to go through all the work of putting up a tree why not consider investing in something that can double as a tree and then afterwards a plant. I found this idea in the Dec issue of Chicago Magazine and stores there where to purchase them but no doubt they'd be nurseries in your area that carried them as well.

Norfolk Island Pine..This is basically a Christmas tree masquerading as a plant. The fronds are not very strong but if you place ornaments (light in weight) closer to the trunk they should hold.

Autograph Tree...Scratch messages into the waxy leaves. Guests can leave wishes of their New Year's goals.

Umbrella Tree...This is a shrubby so if you want more of a tree-like look prune the leaves at the bottom.

Peruvian Apple Cactus...Wrap it in LED lights, which don't produce a lot of heat. You can cover the plant all the way, it's dormant during winter.