Each year for the last 20 years, we go to our land in the mountains just after Thanksgiving and thin the trees in the forest...
... cutting the trees that are growing next to each other. When cut they let another tree grow with more light and room.
We clear low and broken branches for fire protection and use them to make swags.
The trees we bring home for family and friends are half trees, and sometimes only a third of a tree because they have been growing so tightly together. If I nest and tie them together, any two or three trees can make one wonderful Christmas tree.
Once decorated no one can tell it's not one tree...or may be they can... but I don't mind because this Christmas tree helped another tree grow and flourish.
*Last time in Barn Stories:
Giving Thanks