FOR RELEASE THE WEEK OF DEC. 14, 1998:
How can I make sure the Christmas tree I buy is fresh?
Try these two tests, says Yvonne Carree, University of Idaho extension forestry associate: (1) Gently bend a needle or two; if the needles break, the tree is too dry. (2) Lift the tree a couple of inches off the ground, then bring it down abruptly on its stump; if the tree showers needles when it’s thumped, leave it on the lot.
Once you’ve selected a fresh tree, keep it as moist as possible by making a new, diagonal cut on the end of the stump to aid water uptake, placing it away from heat sources and making sure there’s always plenty of water in the tree stand.
I’ve heard that sprouts have been associated with outbreaks of E. coli 0157. Are there any problems with the sprouts we grow at home?
Potentially, yes, says University of Idaho bacteriologist Carolyn Bohach. Sprouts contaminated with E. coli 0157 have caused illness. Even at home, the bacteria can be introduced at any stage in the process of growing sprouts: in contaminated water used as the sprouting medium, on tainted kitchen implements or surfaces, and on the hands of infected food-handlers themselves. Bohach says you may even unknowingly purchase E. coli 0157-infected seed, in which case the growing process won’t kill the bacteria.
What is the shelf life of staples and canned foods?
Because so many consumers wonder about that, many manufacturers now include sell-by, use-by, best-if-used-by or pack dates on their packaging. You’ll want to observe those dates, says Martha Raidl, University of Idaho extension nutrition specialist. If the package does not include an expiration date, you can look up its estimated shelf life in a Cooperative Extension publication developed in Georgia. "Maintaining Food Quality in Storage" is available on the Internet at http://www.ces.uga.edu/pubcd/b914-w.html.
Avoid buying badly dented or bulging cans or undated cans showing their age with dust layers or torn labels, Raidl says. If you buy cans that are in good condition but simply undated, put your own purchase date on them, use the oldest first and follow shelf-life recommendations.
How should I protect my young trees from sunscald this winter?
Until they are at least several years old, newly planted small trees with thin or smooth bark are vulnerable to damage on their southwest sides during winter, says University of Idaho extension horticulturist Michael Colt. Especially on sunny, below-freezing days, their southwest sides will absorb heat by day, then suddenly freeze when the sun sets. Bright, reflective snow cover aggravates this rapid freezing and thawing cycle.
Sunscald is no minor, cosmetic problem, says Colt: It can kill the exposed bark and eventually weaken the trunk, increasing the tree’s susceptibility to breakage.
To protect against sunscald, shade the southwest side of the main trunk and large branches: use plastic trunk guards on young trees, erect a shading barrier or allow low branches to develop on the southwest side. If aesthetics aren’t an issue, paint the lower trunk--from soil line to the first crotch--with indoor white latex paint to reflect the sun’s rays.