Try as you might, you can't really capture the aroma of Christmas in an
aerosol can. Nothing you plug into a wall outlet can fill your home
with the fragrance of Christmas. And you can't light a candle that
equals the scent of a fresh-cut tree.
For your nose to know it's Christmas, you need to have a true tree.
Visit a nearby tree farm, or better yet, explore your own acreage and
see if the perfect tree is just waiting to be discovered.
Think about the scent you want filling your home for the next several
weeks. Do you want a powerful, almost citrus-like fragrance? Then you
need to look for a fir tree. But if the more subtle aroma found in the
Georgia woods is more to your liking, choose something from the pine
family.
At Old Baker Farm in Harpersville, Ala., customers can find Virginia
pine, Leyland cypress and Carolina Sapphire cypress.
Pam Baker says the Carolina Sapphire is relatively new to the farm, but
its strong, lemony mint fragrance makes it a popular choice.
The Virginia pines are sturdy enough to support heavy ornaments, Baker
says, and they have a pleasant pine scent.
While the Leyland cypress is less likely to shed, it doesn't provide
much in the way of fragrance.
The staff at any good Christmas tree farm should be able to point you in
the direction of a tree that provides a good aroma.
You may not find a Carolina Sapphire on your property, but there are
many other trees out there. You might find members of the Arizona
cypress family. These trees have a broad growing range and share many
characteristics.
You're more likely to spot a Virginia pine on your land, but keep in
mind that Christmas tree farms work to keep trees in top shape
year-round, and Virginia pines take quite a bit of work. You might want
to mark one for next year.
A few other aromatic trees that can generally be found in the South and
Midwest include Fraser firs, which have a long-lasting fragrance; Scotch
pines, which smell about the same as a Virginia pine; and Eastern red
cedar (just think of the fragrance when you open a cedar chest).
Whichever tree you choose, the National Christmas Tree Association
recommends keeping it watered. Not only does it keep the tree from
becoming kindling, but the moisture also refreshes the scent.