Many homeowners like to decorate around the holidays with lively and lush Christmas Trees. Many times the full and vibrant tree on December 12th becomes dull and dry by the 25th. The issue at hand is the proper care being administer to the tree during the time it is in the consumers' care and also in the distributors' care. Based on a publication from the University of Kentucky I created a presentation teaching consumers and homeowners how to pick the right tree for them, how to care for it, and how to dispose or repurpose it at the end of the holiday celebrations. 

I walked them through the steps of making sure the tree was fresh whether it be cut or balled and burlapped. We then moved on to how to care for the tree before it is brought in the house as well as in the house. We discussed the special water solution that was mentioned in the publication. At the end we talked about how the trees can be returned to the wilderness for wildlife habitats and food sources. At the mention of the tree going back to the wilderness I introduced an activity to the group. 

We made birdseed ornaments to hang on the trees that are placed outside as well as the ones that are already there. Participants made about 8 ornaments they got to take home to place outside either now or at the end of the holiday season.

To achieve an audience for this program I created a flyer that was posted on Facebook and on our county website. The flyer was also sent out in the December newsletter for ANR.

8 white, non-Hispanic ladies came to the class. 6 of them were older adults while 2 of them were young adults. 

The outcome of this class is all 8 of the ladies in attendance mentioned they will be creating more of the birdseed ornaments. About 3 of them said they will consider getting a live tree next holiday season because they have gained the knowledge to care for and look for the tree. Another outcome for me is to meet some of the people in this community I am new to. Several of them expressed interest in horticulture programming.