Fun_People Archive
19 Dec
Christmas Tree Fireproofing

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From: Peter Langston <psl>
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 98 11:10:48 -0800
To: Fun_People
Precedence: bulk
Subject: Christmas Tree Fireproofing

X-Lib-of-Cong-ISSN: 1098-7649
Forwarded-by: "m.b.komor" <mbkomor@remarque.org>
Forwarded-by: Linda J. Greenleaf * EMC.Ver #3.1a INTERNATIONAL

    Every year many dreams result in tragedy as a result of Christmas trees
catching on fire. Traditionally, we take a dead tree (usually a spruce or
fir, which is highly flammable when dry) not properly prepared, set it in
our homes and wrap it with electric wires. What an invitation for a fire!
Provided you follow the directions carefully, this remedy should make your
Christmas tree fireproof.

Ingredients:
*    Two cups of Karo syrup
*    Two ounces of liquid chlorine bleach
*    Two pinches of Epsom salt
*    One-half teaspoon of Borax
*    One teaspoon of chelated iron
*    Hot water

    You can purchase the Karo syrup, Borax and liquid chlorine bleach from
your supermarket. The Epsom salt can be purchased from the drug store
and the chelated iron (pronounced key-lated) can be purchased from a garden
shop or plant store.

Procedure:
1. Mix your fireproofing ingredients listed above.  Fill a two-gallon bucket
   with hot water to within one inch of the top and add the ingredients.  Stir
   thoroughly, dissolving ingredients. Put to side.
2. With a saw, take your recently-purchased Christmas tree and make a fresh
   cut at the base on the tree trunk. Cut an inch off the base of the tree.
   Try to make a level cut.
3. Immediately stand the trunk of the tree in the solution and leave for 24
   hours.
4. Keep the remaining solution. Place your tree in a tree stand that
   contains a well where liquids can be poured.
5. When the tree is in its final resting place, use a plastic cup to pour
   solution from the bucket into the tree well. Fill the well.
6. Every day without exception, the well of the tree stand must be "topped
   up" with the solution from the two-gallon bucket.

    Follow these simple directions and your tree should be fireproofed. It
may save your home and family from those fire tragedies we hear about
around the holidays. If you're curious, after Christmas when you remove your
tree, snap off a branch and try to set it on fire, OUTDOORS.  How does the
solution work?
    In a nutshell, the Karo syrup provides the sugar necessary to allow the
base of the tree to take up water. Up to 1.5 gallons of water can be
taken up by the tree over a two-week period.  Boron in the Borax allows the
tree to move the water and sugar out to every branch and needle in your
tree.  Magnesium compounds in the Epsom salt and iron from the chelated iron
provide essential components for the production of chlorophyll which will
keep the tree green. The bleach prevents mold from forming in your solution.
    Some of the other beneficial side effects of this procedure are that
the needles will not drop and you will notice an increase in natural
pine fragrance. Have a safe and happy holiday!

© 1998 Peter Langston