Knowing how to tie knots really helps when fastening a Christmas tree to the tops of cars, said Steve Larson, owner of Larson’s Family Farm in Sandwich.
While that fact might seem logical, a poorly tied Christmas tree can fall off a vehicle and turn into road debris more easily than you might think. And if you are following someone with a tree attached to the roof, it might be comforting to know that those who sell Christmas trees take seriously the transportation of them home.
Larson, who has operated his tree farm for more than 20 years, said just as important as offering a saw to cut a tree at the farm is properly attaching it to a car. Larson said some people bring heavy twine, bungee cords, or ratchet straps to tie their trees to their vehicles.
Every car is different, he said, but if people are fastening trees to a roof rack, knowing how to tie knots really helps.
Boy Scouts from Naperville Troop 889 know this from experience. During the holiday season, they get a chance to use their knot-making skills while volunteering at the troop’s tree lot at Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church, at the intersection of Book Road and 95th Street. For the 23rd year, the 100-boy troop sells just less than 1,000 Christmas trees, roping and wreaths.
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A fundraiser for the troop, Don Fritz, manager of Troop 889’s tree lot, said by participating in the tree lot, boys also have the opportunity to earn a merit badge in salesmanship.
Scouts load the trees, which come from either northern Wisconsin or North Carolina, several different ways, depending on the vehicle and the size of the tree, Troop 889 parent volunteer Don DalMoro said.
DalMoro, who has three sons who participated in the troop, said for vehicles without a roof rack, a rope can go over a tree several times and be secured through slightly open car windows using a slip knot.
Trees always should be placed on a vehicle with the trunk facing forward, he added.
“Sometimes we throw a rope over the front bumper for larger trees,” DalMoro said.
Trucks are great because the tree can be placed in the truck bed, he added.
Before opening day, the Scouts receive a briefing each year on how to properly load the trees onto both cars and SUVs, DalMoro said.
When tying a tree onto a car with a roof rack, former Scoutmaster Denny Wowra recommends crisscrossing the rope several times and then pulling it down to secure it.
He also reminds drivers to watch their speed as they traverse home.
Even though Wowra’s son, Conor, is now a Peoria police officer, Wowra returns to help out the troop with the tree lot.
If tree buyers want to put their purchase in the back of the SUV or minivan, DalMoro suggests bringing a tarp to put down under it.
“Otherwise, vehicle owners will be vacuuming out tree needles for months,” Wowra added.
Now that’s advice worth taking.
Cathy Janek is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.