SIOUX CITY -- For more than 40 years, folks have been flocking to see John Kluver flock Christmas trees.
According to Kluver, manager of Earl May Nursery & Garden Center, flocking is slowly becoming a lost art.
"Each year, we're doing fewer flocked trees because we're selling fewer real trees," he explains while putting a Fraser Fir onto a revolving pedestal. "But the people who have always had a flocked tree say they'd never want a tree that wasn't."
This Fraser Fir is just one of 60 or 70 flocked trees Earl May will sell this Christmas.
As he loads a hose filled with cellulose -- a derivative of wood, water, spray adhesive and a fire retardant -- and sprays it onto the tree, Kluver says, "To many, Christmas wouldn't be the same without a flocked tree."
So what does a flocked Christmas tree look like? Well, it looks likes gentle snow has fallen onto the branches of the evergreen, causing it to glisten and sparkle in the light.
That's why "99 percent" of Kluver's customers request their trees receive a white flocking.
Yet, he says there are always some oddballs in the bunch.
"We've received requests from people who want their trees flocked to match the colors of their favorite football teams," Kluver explains. "One year, we even had someone who wanted a red, white and blue-flocked tree."
Kluver begins the flocking process inside an enclosed flocking box. He places the tree -- either a Fraser Fir or a Scotch Pine will do -- onto a motorized stand.
"A tree must be constantly revolving in order to ensure we're spraying evenly and not missing any areas," he says.
Kluver first wets the tree down with water from a special hose. Once the tree has been soaked, he adds cellulose -- which is safe for both people and pets -- to the hose.
The flocking process can take 15 - 20 minutes to complete and make take up to 4 - 6 hours to dry.
"When it dries, the flocking agent on the tree should feel like hair spray," Kluver says. "It should be stiff and little bit sticky to touch."
Kluver suggests using the back of a pickup truck to transport a newly flocked Christmas tree. Another option is having it delivered to your home by the nursery.
"What I don't recommend is tying a just-flocked tree to the roof of your car," he warns. "Between the wind and the cold weather, all of the flocking from your tree will be gone by the time you make it home."
At home, Kluver suggests placing a plastic bag beneath the tree as a way to catch falling pine needles.
"The flocking agents actually allows the trees to hang onto their needles for a longer time," he says. "But plastic under the pine will make the after-holiday clean-up a breeze."
Starting his career at Earl May in 1969, Kluver has been flocking trees for the business ever since.
"I love doing this either if I end up getting as much of the flocking agent on me as I do on the tree," he says with a laugh. "That's OK, I guess. After all, what would Christmas be without a beautifully flocked tree or without me looking like the Abominable Snowman?"
BREAKOUT #1
Five tree tips to keep you fire-free for Christmas
Earl May Nursery & Garden Center has some tips to ensure your Christmas tree won't become a fire hazard this holiday season.
1. Never use live candles on either a real or artificial tree nor place it by a fireplace.
2. Do not place your tree near a television or a lamp because the heat produced by appliances may cause the tree to burn.
3. Be sure all of your Christmas lights are working before putting in on the tree.
4. Use a heavy-duty extension cord to ensure your tree lights are plugged in.
5) Never place a real tree over or near a heat register because it will cause the tree to dry out very quickly.
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