Packaging Pine Trees

For our son's pinecone-themed wedding reception, we took on the project of the favors for the guests. The groom had ordered 250 rust-resistant slash pine seedlings, the minimum order. We drove to pick them up which turned out to be more of a trip than we expected, as Google maps does not know where the tree nursery is. Left at the light would have put us almost in sight of our destination, but the directed right turn sent us about 50 miles out of our way and into a cell service black hole. A borrowed land line got us directions back to where we needed to be.

The seedlings are about 20 inches long and are packed in a large roll. The bare roots have been treated with a moisture retaining gel.

The night before we left for the wedding, we began the packaging. First B wrapped the wet roots in a half sheet of newspaper. Then I put the paper into a plastic bag and tied it closed. 

Each tree was then put in a pinecone stamped brown lunch bag and tied with tan and blue raffia. A card attached gave planting instructions on one side and the other read:

 

Please plant this pine in honor of

D- and K-,

joined this day in marriage,

January 12, 2008.

May it and their love send down roots

and grow strong and heavenward,

and be a thing of beauty for years to come.

 

We said it was our pine sap!  We did not need the entire bunch and so only 120 were packaged. The pile was almost a yard high in the living room when we were finished.

At the wedding reception, the trees were displayed in nail kegs and large wooden baskets. What better gift from a forestry student?

PS

It was a beautiful and sweet wedding!