Firs are probably my favourite type of tree. They were always the Christmas tree of choice when we went to the woods during my childhood, their soft flat needles and lovely smell the very essence of the holiday.
A few firs close to our house have grown to the point where they should probably be removed before they get much bigger. Firs seem to have a shortish life span, die quickly, rot inside and tumble down. I need to be more ruthless in keeping them cleared, but it’s difficult when they look so lovely when fresh winter snow decorates them outside our door!
I’m trying, as much as possible, to let nature do what it wants on the land I live on, so cutting down any tree is a bit uncomfortable but sometimes necessary and now always well thought out. It’s a funny balancing act, this rewilding instinct I have developed. When I started this journey I thought I was rewilding the land, but, of course, I’m really rewilding myself, uniting with nature rather than trying to change it to always suit my needs or ideals. Nature always wins, but humans consistently believe we can control nature, and we never can. We are a funny animal.
If you are on PEI and want to pick up a free tree for your holidays, I have a few between 6 and 10 feet tall and would be happy to have them be adored and adorned by you. They are a natural, unshaped tree – more Victoria and Albert odd than Disney World perfect – but will smell lovely and are chemical free. I possess many manual and motorized felling tools to assist the culling. Wear a toque, plaid shirt and wool mittens and have a real PEI heritage moment! They had a good life, I will miss their presence, but will not miss them toppling onto my house during a storm when I’m an old lady.
