 As a child, there’s nothing more magical than seeing all the twinkling Christmas lights on a cold, snowy December night. Trees and rooftops are blanketed in white; snowflakes are falling all around you, and the smell of pine and the sound of jingle bells are filling your senses. People all over the world have tried to replicate the look of those snow-covered trees in their own homes for the holidays, with some historians dating this phenomenon back to 19th-century Germany. The trend peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, when flocked trees were considered fashionable and appeared in storefronts and homes everywhere. Through the years, this practice of flocking your trees with a powdery-white substance has transformed dramatically. Earlier flocking ingredients included soap flakes, chemical-based adhesives, and even asbestos. Today, flocking is done using non-toxic and biodegradable materials. With these safer and more environmentally friendly ingredients, along with a bit of nostalgia, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the practice of flocking, but not without some amount of lingering skepticism. Despite popular belief, flocked trees are not harmful to the environment or to your health when applied properly and using the right ingredients. Family Tree Nursery has offered tree flocking services since the business began in 1964, and we still believe that the final product is not only safe but worth the time and resources it takes to bring that nostalgic feeling into your home for Christmas. We start by bringing in real evergreen trees, all of which are trimmed and cut. At this point, these trees cannot be replanted and will henceforth serve their purpose as a staple Christmas decoration in whatever style the customer chooses until they are ready to be recycled. Family Tree Nursery uses flocking material made from wood pulp, corn starch, and boron, and is registered as flame-retardant by the California State Fire Marshall. The standards and requirements for products to be approved by the California State Fire Marshal are strict and nationally recognized, and we adhere to all application instructions. The flocking brand we use maintains that these ingredients are biodegradable and non-toxic. We use a snow-blower machine that mixes the flocking material with water, which activates the adhesive and flame-retardant materials, allowing it to stick to the tree’s branches, before leaving it to dry for a few hours, depending on the size and preferred thickness. Out of an abundance of caution, masks are typically worn to prevent inhaling the airborne particles, which, while non-toxic, can still irritate your airways. However, when the material is settled and dry, it poses no health risks. Flocking cut trees can actually help them retain moisture in their needles, helping them stay fresher and stronger for longer, which means fewer dropped needles to clean up. The heavier the tree is flocked, the more flame-retardant and water-retentive it is. It is still recommended that customers place their dried, flocked Christmas tree into water when they bring it home, but you can expect to need to refill the reservoir much less often than with a non-flocked tree. |
PICK YOUR COLOR |
 Customers can request how thick they would like their tree flocked, ranging from a light dusting to a heavy coat, reminiscent of a deep snowfall. Family Tree Nursery can apply white flock to any cut tree for $20 per foot or colored flock for $25 per foot. Since flocked trees take several hours to dry and cure, Family Tree Nursery will apply the material at least one day ahead of a scheduled pick-up time. Alternatively, customers can choose from a variety of pre-flocked trees with a wide range of sizes and colors, including blue, purple, pink, red, and yellow! We have fulfilled many creative requests, such as red-and-white candy cane, Kansas City Chiefs’ red and gold, to Barbie-inspired ombre applications. Flocked trees have made a strong comeback in recent years, thanks to improved materials that create a realistic snowy finish and add elegance to holiday décor. Today, flocked trees are celebrated for their nostalgic charm and versatility, offering a cozy, festive atmosphere that evokes memories of snowy holidays past. When it comes down to choosing how to decorate your tree and whether to flock it, remember that it is about your own preferences! Some people like the classic style of fresh, clean evergreen, and some prefer the look of a snow-covered tree. If you’re still not ready to flock your cut trees, we offer a large variety of permanent, artificial Christmas trees instead, both flocked and unflocked. Come shop for yourself at any of our Family Tree Nursery stores and experience the magic of the holidays! |
