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December 16, 2021
Tales of Christmas Past
by Joey Bokor
by Joey Bokor
Anyone else enjoying this stretch of warm weather that we are having? It's this kind of winter weather that is the reason many of
us live in Florida. It does make a fire in the fireplace and a hot cup of cocoa seem a little out of place, but it also means that
every day is a fine day to get out in the garden. And even though it is warm, I still enjoy my morning coffee by the cheerful glow
of our Christmas tree and as always, I love to think back on past Christmas seasons. One story that I've shared with you before is
one of my favorites. I call it the tale of the White Dumpies.
Every family has holiday traditions. Some are good, some make you cringe, but even the goofy ones make you look back with a smile. In my family, we had a slightly different Christmas tree tradition than most. At some point in December, it would be tree day. But we didn't head to a Christmas tree farm or unpack a box from the attic. Nope. On the patio area of our backyard, we kept a (living) southern red cedar in a whiskey barrel and on tree day, we got out a rusty old furniture dolly, somehow hefted the ceiling height tree onto the dolly and rolled it into the house. It was a pretty tree, although not as perfectly shaped as a douglas fir or blue spruce. Once in the house, it was time to decorate and that's where the tradition turned goofy.
One year, the cedar was in bloom when we moved it inside. The blooms are inconspicuous, and just look like little white balls. I'm not sure if it was me or my sister that named them, but somehow we landed on White Dumpies as the name for these growths on the tree. And that led to fits of laughter, and probably not enough paying attention to the decorating task at hand. We used the same tree for a number of years and although it didn't always have white dumpies, just the word kept us rolling on the ground with laughter. Even now, nearly 30 years later, we still smile and laugh when we recall that old Christmas tree and its white dumpies. Its branches may not have been quite strong enough for all of our ornaments, but it was still our special tree and will always live in our memories as a fun Christmas tradition.
This year, I hope that you make some amazing Christmas memories with your family and friends. Even better if they are the kind of memories that will have you rolling on the floor with laughter 30 years from now.
Every family has holiday traditions. Some are good, some make you cringe, but even the goofy ones make you look back with a smile. In my family, we had a slightly different Christmas tree tradition than most. At some point in December, it would be tree day. But we didn't head to a Christmas tree farm or unpack a box from the attic. Nope. On the patio area of our backyard, we kept a (living) southern red cedar in a whiskey barrel and on tree day, we got out a rusty old furniture dolly, somehow hefted the ceiling height tree onto the dolly and rolled it into the house. It was a pretty tree, although not as perfectly shaped as a douglas fir or blue spruce. Once in the house, it was time to decorate and that's where the tradition turned goofy.
One year, the cedar was in bloom when we moved it inside. The blooms are inconspicuous, and just look like little white balls. I'm not sure if it was me or my sister that named them, but somehow we landed on White Dumpies as the name for these growths on the tree. And that led to fits of laughter, and probably not enough paying attention to the decorating task at hand. We used the same tree for a number of years and although it didn't always have white dumpies, just the word kept us rolling on the ground with laughter. Even now, nearly 30 years later, we still smile and laugh when we recall that old Christmas tree and its white dumpies. Its branches may not have been quite strong enough for all of our ornaments, but it was still our special tree and will always live in our memories as a fun Christmas tradition.
This year, I hope that you make some amazing Christmas memories with your family and friends. Even better if they are the kind of memories that will have you rolling on the floor with laughter 30 years from now.
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Happy Gardening, The Kerby's Nursery Family 
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Merry & Bright
'Tis the Season to be Merry and Bright. Come check out all of the beautiful Christmas plants and take a family photo out in the open air in front of the Merry and Bright holiday wall.
'Tis the Season to be Merry and Bright. Come check out all of the beautiful Christmas plants and take a family photo out in the open air in front of the Merry and Bright holiday wall.
Garden Tip
The Importance of Shade Trees
The Importance of Shade Trees
You won't believe me when I tell you,
but now is the
best time of year to plant a shade tree. Sycamores, maples and elms are all going dormant. Oaks
won't be far behind and even though evergreens like magnolias, will keep their leaves all winter,
they are in a state of semi-dormancy.
That means that they aren't using a lot of energy during this time and so after planting, they need less care to get established. A tree planted now needs to be watered every other day for the first month and then twice a week through the second month, continuing with that frequency until we warm in the spring. And while you won't see much new growth during the next few months, the trees will be getting started on their root system, so that when it is time to flush with new growth in the spring, they are strong, sturdy and ready to grow.
Don't forget that Kerby's offers delivery and installation services on all of our trees. Let us do the hard work for you, while you experience all of the benefits that shade trees provide:
That means that they aren't using a lot of energy during this time and so after planting, they need less care to get established. A tree planted now needs to be watered every other day for the first month and then twice a week through the second month, continuing with that frequency until we warm in the spring. And while you won't see much new growth during the next few months, the trees will be getting started on their root system, so that when it is time to flush with new growth in the spring, they are strong, sturdy and ready to grow.
Don't forget that Kerby's offers delivery and installation services on all of our trees. Let us do the hard work for you, while you experience all of the benefits that shade trees provide:
Shade - I know that seems obvious, but a tree will provide a shady spot for you to enjoy being outside
in your yard and as it grows can help with cooling costs (up to $25 per
month in the summer) by shading your home as well.
Property Value - Studies have shown that a shade tree can increase the selling price of a home by anywhere from $7000 to $9000.
Fun - As a kid I know I loved all of the trees in our yard. Lots of places to climb and explore.
Environment - Without trees, we wouldn't be here. The oxygen that trees produce is what we breathe. And in the process of producing oxygen, trees take in carbon dioxide as well, helping to store excess carbon from the atmosphere.
Nature - If you love watching birds, butterflies and other little critters in your yard, then you've got to have a shade tree. All types of trees provide shelter, water and food for a variety of wildlife.
So what are you waiting for? The weather is perfect for getting outside and adding a beautiful tree to your home.
Property Value - Studies have shown that a shade tree can increase the selling price of a home by anywhere from $7000 to $9000.
Fun - As a kid I know I loved all of the trees in our yard. Lots of places to climb and explore.
Environment - Without trees, we wouldn't be here. The oxygen that trees produce is what we breathe. And in the process of producing oxygen, trees take in carbon dioxide as well, helping to store excess carbon from the atmosphere.
Nature - If you love watching birds, butterflies and other little critters in your yard, then you've got to have a shade tree. All types of trees provide shelter, water and food for a variety of wildlife.
So what are you waiting for? The weather is perfect for getting outside and adding a beautiful tree to your home.
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Christmas Goodies and More |
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New Organic Soils Invest in your Plants with Black Gold® Starting at $10.99 |
Christmas Plants Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, and Reindeer Philodendron 15% Off While Supplies Last |
Scented Geraniums Rose and Orange Scented 6" Pot - $7.99 |
