This will give you enough room to prune, even when the trees are larger; will enable more light to hit each tree, making a fuller specimen; and will enable you to cut the grass between the rows with a tractor-mounted bush-hog, at least for the first five or so years of growth; and will enable more air to circulate, cutting down on diseases. Taper Overall, trees with a 60 to 70 percent taper are considered the most visually pleasing. Excessive leader growth which detracts from the desired symmetry of the tree can be remedied through pruning of the terminal leader or basal pruning. Pruning your Christmas tree is actually quite easy once you get the hang of it. ( We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening. He would go to an open spot in the woods, grab a 6- to 12-inch-tall seedling, yank it from the ground, and put it in a sheetrock bucket of damp peat moss. emphasis when pruning young trees. Properly pruning a tree limb. Some trees should receive the ultimate pruning at this time: complete removal. ( ( ( Moreover, this procedure will prevent decay and damage to the tree. Extn., Orono, ME 04469. ( The best time to prune your Christmas tree is outside of its growing season, from January through March. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Pruning and Shearing Christmas Trees - YouTube ( ( Description of stands used in evaluation of basal pruning on Fraser fir Christmas trees. Christmas tree | Tradition, History, Decorations, Symbolism, & Facts ( PDF How to Prune Trees - New York State Department of Environmental Christmas Trees | Watts Tree Farm Blog The total cost of producing an acre of Christmas trees, including all the costs of establishing and growing costs over the 7-year planning horizon, is $6720.87. ( If I get behind on the pruning, I can catch up on the weekends while my husband takes the kids to the beach. Thus, never cut or prune a branch past the point of needles if you wish for that branch to produce buds. Shake or bounce the tree on its stump. Where magnesium is deficient, blends such as 10-18-12-3.6 (3.6 percent Mg) are useful.. Blumenstock, Bud, Growing Tree Seedlings in the Home Nursery, Yankee Woodlot, Univ. Stourport- 9 minutes drive ( ( We simply tolerate weeds in areas where we cant mow (and enjoy the birds, bees and toads), cutting out woody growth with loppers periodically. ( Z J Z (( Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences. 1 or U.S. The first shearing on a new tree will typically take place when the tree is between 2-3 feet tall (60 -100cm). Christmas Tree Production Manual, 1989, Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Pub. ( Assuming youll be mowing the grass in your plantation with a tractor-mounted implement, be sure to leave enough room at the ends of each row to turn the tractor around. For more information about growing a Christmas tree, visit the Michigan State University Extension site. If you are planning to cut your own Christmas tree, its important to choose a tree with supple needles. ( ( Basal pruning is removing the lower branches of the tree up to the first perfect whorl. ( Fritz Hier, Cornish Flat tree grower, says many Christmas tree buyers resist the dense, carefully shorn tree that is typically priced at the top of the market, reported N.H. agriculture commissioner Steve Taylor in 1993 in the N.H. Department of Agriculture Weekly Market Bulletin. You can run ads in newspapers using a photo of your family with the trees is a good eye-catcher on the radio or on signs or posters; send post cards or other direct mail; and/or be included in a state list of producers. Not only does cutting your own tree save money, but it creates a tradition for the entire family. ( ( Quality shearing produces quality trees and is one of the most important cultural practices in the production of Christmas trees; it is also the most labor intensive cultural treatment. Tree pruning equipment Archives - Damcon tree nursery equipment We planted 1 acre that first year, another the second and a third the third year. Grasses and other plants have well developed root systems that can compete strongly with small trees, especially during the first three years in the plantation, by using most of the available soil moisture, competing for nutrients, and shading Christmas tree seedlings. ( We also have a few white pines that volunteered in the plantation, and I have some Eastern red cedar seedlings that will be ready to set out in a couple of years. In essence, shearing the tree is accomplished by visualizing an imaginary cone over the tree and cutting off all the branches that stick out beyond the cone. ( suggest experimenting with first-year fertilization, since a lack of response to fertilization could result from poor control of competing vegetation; from placing fertilizer too close to newly planted seedlings and consequently raising the concentration of salts in the root zone excessively; or from putting the fertilizer so far from the seedling that the roots cant absorb it. Service, Univ. ( ( ( ( ( ( Once you start pruning, you need to prune pines every year. ( (913)887-6324; Subscription $10 for 4 issues. ( Basal Pruning Fraser Fir Christmas Trees. ( ( Bottle Brush Tree Care: How To Grow Bottle Brush Plants - Plant Care Today To extract the seeds from the cones, give the cones enough heat to make them open. ( If you are selling directly to the consumer, have your advertising ready to run just after Thanksgiving. ENH1182/EP443: Pruning Palms - University of Florida It can also boost your productivity and happiness. ( Grazing sheep on your Christmas tree land is another way to cycle nutrients organically and keep weeds down at the same time. A well-shaped, dense tree has a fairly uniform spacing of 8 to 10 inches between whorls. Pruning trees and shrubs | UMN Extension - University of Minnesota This step will prevent a lateral branch from taking over as the leader. Christmas Tree Farming: Christmas Tree Cultivation, Christmas Tree Production, Christmas Tree Pests and Weeds. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. We are starting to make money on our trees. ( ( PDF Christmas Trees | NC State Extension Once the decision is made to shear a tree for the first time I recommend removing the bottom branches from the ground up to at least 8 inches (20 cm). ( )?M cC:ZA@ P@ P@ je
I E1#v P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@@ P@ P@ PP@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ @ - P@ P@@ @@ PP@ - P@ P@ P@ % - % P@ - % - % P@ P@ P@@ @@ % P@ P@ P@ PP@ PP@ P@ P@ P@ @@ P@ P@ KQ UC" ( ( ( ( Anon., Balsam Fir Tip Gathering, Yankee Woodlot Bull. ( Tips for Pruning Plants, Shrubs and Trees - The Home Depot If this is the case, plant your tree out in the garden and decorate with outdoor fairy lights to brighten up dark winter evenings. I cite these recommendations not to encourage you to use chemical fertilizers, but to encourage you to add any needed lime and phosphorus before planting, and to give you a guide as to when trees need which nutrients. How to Prune a Tree: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (( Christmas trees were basal pruned (branches were removed from the lower 15 to 25 cm of the stem, i.e., handle) at heights ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 m up to 1.5 to 1.8 m tall, and were harvested 2 to 4 years later. Stourbridge 26 minutes ( J ( (h(h( After choosing the right type of tree, you should measure the area where you will display the tree. Be sure to provide adequate irrigation. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. ( The tops should have good caliper (stem diameter) and good bud development. %PDF-1.4 endobj A certified arborist can determine if the tree is safe or if it should be removed. Balsams are more forgiving of such neglect; Scotch pines arent. Basal pruning, in addition to controlling excessive leader growth, will establish a good base or bottom whorl from which to develop a balanced tree and a clear handle or butt. The first step in pruning a Christmas tree is to ensure that it is still young. University of New Hampshire Extension(877) 398-4769 ( An 8-foot tree, for example, should have about a 5-foot- diameter base. ( ( The maximum working heights vary from 4.65 to 6.50 metres. I read about one grower who calls artificial trees the main competitor of natural trees toilet-brush trees. There are many ways to make your trees sound appealing. Those of you who grow fresh vegetables or other warm-season crops might be interested in generating such additional income in the off season. ( We set out both balsam fir and Scotch pine in our first year of planting. ( ( ( background: #ddd;
Also, he has two Christmas trees planted between each apple tree in the apple rows. ( ( ( Developing Sheared Douglas-Fir Christmas Trees What is the best time to prune a Christmas tree? The abandoned field in which we are growing trees is improving every year, because hay is no longer being taken off of it three times a year with no nutrients being added back to the soil. Avoid shaving the bark off of a tree trunk to get it to fit into a smaller tree stand opening. J Z ( Grasses and weeds can also fuel fires and provide cover for mice, rabbits and other small animals that can damage young trees. ( Palms with crownshafts should never need pruning if properly fertilized. ((Ft This will help prevent the formation of a multiple top. above a healthy bud. (Wear the chap on your left leg if youre left handed.) The time to prune apple trees if you want to keep them small is during the Summer Solstice. ( For more information view our full Privacy Policy. We have had a few customers come after dark and happily cut trees that they could barely see, or shine their headlights on the trees until they find the right one. ( 2023 Thompson & Morgan. ( 346, Univ. Kapple-Smith, Diana, A Christmas Business, Country Journal, Dec. 1980. In the spring you can replant between the stumps. If evergreens are beginning to grow in a field on their own, the site will probably support cultivated evergreens. Basal pruning reduced cutting time to (average of 23%). Christmas trees are ready to harvest when theyre 6 to 8 feet tall. Even though we are a new Christmas tree farm, we promise you will be surprised at the beauty of our trees. Staying Warm - uaex.uada.edu A publication from the University of Kentucky suggests watching livestock carefully during fly season, when they may rub against trees, and when trees are putting on new growth and animals may be tempted by the succulence. They need to be planted in late April and early May and are best pruned in late June and through July. ( Serv., OSU, Stillwater, OK. Granger, Clark A., Bud Blumenstock and Stanley W. Knowles, Christmas Tree Fertilization, Coop. ( Goals of Pruning Lilacs. ( The soil should be deep enough to allow for good root development and moisture retention. Anon., Making Balsam Fir Wreaths, Yankee Woodlot Bull. ( ( All buds below the top bud next to the cut should be removed from the leader down to about 3 inches from the top whorl. ( ( ( This is one reason why I use long-handled pruning shears to shape my trees, rather than a machete. Be forewarned, though, that trees of the same species within about 400 feet of one another can cross pollinate; cross pollination can prevent the progeny from resembling the female parent. Over that time, you must invest an increasing amount of time and money in your trees. The distance between the whorls (rings of branches) determines how full the finished Christmas tree will look. Avoid pruning plants when they are especially open to attacks by insects or diseases. (800)248-8239. Next, trim the lateral branches of the top whorl. Remove branches that rub together. ( ( ( TTY Users: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2964 (Relay NH) 2. In the spring of the year growth begins at buds, and twigs grow until a new node is formed. Christmas Tree Production - Penn State Extension Start pruning the central leaders when the trees are waist-high at the same time you do basal pruning. How to Summer Prune an Apple Espalier. In Alabama, researchers found that Christmas trees could add $176 per acre net profit on cattle grazing land if the trees (Virginia pines) were grown 8 feet apart in rows 33 feet apart (165 trees per acre) and if the trees were protected by a single strand of electric fence on each side of the row. Emphasis in chemical recommendations is on strategies to reduce herbicide resistance and protect surface and groundwater from pesticide loss. ( Leaving more than one leader will create a multi- stemmed tree. ( 7009, Univ. Worcester 19 minutes drive ( Like selling produce at a farmers market, selling Christmas trees can be a social event. Newsholme Christmas Trees - Basal Pruning - Facebook Watch The plantation provides a place of scenic beauty, a place for picnics in spring, summer and fall, a place for wildlife, a place where neighbors race their snowmobiles. Water-stressed plants are less tolerant of spider mite damage. In addition, a long list of insects, diseases and mites can attack the trees, and weeds are an ever-present threat. ( If you have children in your life or neighborhood, teaching them how to prune when they ask can give them a valuable skill, make them feel useful, and maybe even encourage them to start their own horticultural enterprise someday. She tells of one grower who estimated that her livestock damaged about 2% of her trees each year (or 20% over the average 10-year life of the trees). It is important not to prune back more than one years growth. ( We hope you manage to keep your Christmas tree looking fantastic through the festive season. ( Fall pruning: Take several inches off Hybrid Tea . ( Our full range of products are now available right at your fingertips. Shown here is an effective method of corrective pruning of an Austrian pine tree. To determine when this happens, observe the tree when the buds break in the spring. When it comes to trimming a Christmas tree, its important to be as gentle as possible. Second, you should cut the tree at a 45-degree angle. ( ( In 1995, we started selling those trees, making a couple of hundred dollars that first year and a few hundred the next. ( 2023 The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. }
( Judy Kowalski | A bud or turned up branch is then cultured into a second tree by removing all of the branches except one in June. Its being maintained as an agricultural area, too, because invading woody plants are removed. ( Pinewood, Rectory Lane, ( Z ((h ( Both operating and ownership costs are included for the machinery, equipment and tractor. Sod can also be removed with scalpers mounted on planting machines at the time of planting. Trees can be cut right to the ground to produce a tree of maximum height and to leave no stumps over which you might trip. This worked fairly well, although some of the paper squares blew away, and grasses outside of the 1-square-foot area became problematic after a while. ( When you are done, the base should be about two-thirds as wide as the height of the tree. When you lay out your planting, leave room for access roads. He said that as long as he moved the sheep frequently, they ate the grasses and other weeds their preferred foods and left the trees alone. American Christmas Tree Journal, National Christmas Tree Assoc., 611 E. Well St., Milwaukee, WI 53202; Tel. A spade full of compost or well rotted manure could substitute for this chemical fertilizer; or you could save your familys urine all winter and use that on some of your trees! Basal pruning reduced cutting time 25%, and baling time 10%. a balanced, symmetrical form with no gaping holes. ( ( ( ((h Extn. ( Basal pruning consists of removing all the branches from the ground up to a full whorl or set of branches. One publication recommends using a deflection shield so that you can mow close to trees without damaging lower branches. ( ( (( Learn more about mature tree pruning. This will help straighten the roots. ( ( As an alternative to mowing and herbicides, you could try using a mulch of several sheets of newspaper held down with about 4 inches of sawdust, straw, bark chips or wood chips and applied in a 2- to 3-foot-diameter circle around each tree. ( This is an easy place to begin pruning. Carbaryl (Sevin), for example, apparently directly cause mites to reproduce faster, and it can further favor spider mites by increasing the level of nitrogen in leaves. ( ( After he had a hundred or so, hed set them out in the plantation. The best way to learn how to prune is to read the basics, then go to a couple of pruning demonstrations, read the basics again, then practice on your own trees. ( ( ( Leaving open wounds from pruning can expose the tree to frost and diseases. Depending on the tree's provenance and growth, start pruning in the 4th-5th growing year. ( When Ive tried this, though, they continued to grow after I sheared them, and I ended up having to go through the plantation a second time to shorten leaders that had grown too long. Much like trimming shrubs to maintain a specific shape, trimming the lateral branches of Christmas trees can increase the density of the branches and create the desired taper. There are a few important things to remember. ( ( Next, look at branches that cross or rub each. How to Trim and Prune Trees to Keep Them Healthy and Looking Tidy On the other hand, theyre more expensive than seedlings. Basal Pruning Fraser Fir Christmas Trees - academia.edu This year we paid $100 for a month of insurance. There are two other reasons. The initial cost can be high. People who are buying real Christmas trees want them to look like real trees, with the branches reaching out to slightly different lengths in the cone-shaped tree and with occasional spaces in the tree where their ornaments will show up. Commercial height and stem diameter were unaffected, but the average harvest weight of pruned trees 2.1 to 2.4 m tall (2 to 4 years after basal pruning) was reduced approximately 1.4 kg, [HortScience : a publication of the American Society for Horticultural Science (USA)], "Basal pruning Fraser fir Christmas trees"@eng. ( ( Chickens - at least Rhode Island Reds - come in at around 56 BMR. This ( ( Or, as a general rule, provide 1 ounce of fertilizer per foot of tree height. This technique is called "drop-crotching.". The US Forest Service has rules about what types of trees are allowed to be cut, as well as how big they can be. ( It fits well with raising children in that you can, more so than with vegetables or fresh fruits, let some jobs go while the children need or want you, then catch up on the chores later. Most growers use a machete to shear their trees. ( Sign up for our newsletter. As you dig the transplants from the bed, set them in a bucket of moist peat moss. Z ((h(h(h ( Jack DeAngelis, Oregon State University Extension Entomologist, says, Stick with generalist insect predators they have the best chance of finding something to eat in the fields and start small. He recommends green lacewings, syrphid flies, and the predatory midge Aphidoletes. Cowscan generally be trusted to avoid [evergreens]. ( ( Service, Manhattan, KS, Media Inquiries:Contact Jennifer Wilhelm [emailprotected]. ( Lots of people are very happy using machetes, though. Year harvestedY 1995 1995 1993 1993 1993 1994; of 3 /3. J Z J ( Hence, the shears. Once established on perennials, predatory mites can reproduce and provide biological control indefinitely without further augmentation unless nonselective insecticides are applied that kill the predators. ( Tree shaping usually begins during the trees third year. ( If you cut too much off the tree, youll end up with open wounds that will attract bacteria. We actually did not want to advertise too much because we didnt have many trees ready that first year. Twelve years ago, my husband and I planted our first Christmas trees. ( Reducing the shrub's size to encourage lower blooms where we can . While some growers do make money with Scotch pines selling them out of state or to large retailers such as Wal-Mart, I believe I would not recommend them for local, cut- your-own markets. Thoroughly water the soil. ( ( An 8-foot tree should have a base width of about 5 feet. My husband did his best to mow the perimeter of the acre-plot and to keep the roadways mowed, but the grasses and weeds grew up around the trees in the unmowed areas. We have established a pleasant summer routine in which I write and edit for a couple of hours in the morning, prune trees for an hour or two, then take the kids to the beach. Its a good idea, however, to transplant on a cloudy, still day, if possible. Christmas trees are 6 feet apart within that row. Fir and spruce should be cut after a killing frost has set the needles, while pines should be cut before a hard frost to prevent foliage discoloration and old needle drop. ( During the last year or two of pruning, youll probably have to invest in a pole pruner to reach the top laterals and the central leader. Cherim, Michael S., The Green Methods Manual The Original Bio-Control Primer, 1988. Pruning a Christmas tree is a simple process once you get the hang of it. Balanced ratio fertilizers which utilize ureaform as one nitrogen source (such as 18-11-17) also work well. ( Loucks, William L., 1992, Weed Control Options in Tree Plantings, Kansas State Univ. Extn. ( ( ( A small flock of sheep in a UK planting during the fall and winter did not browse on the trees. basal pruning christmas trees arizona high school wrestling state champions June 22, 2022 when should a deacon be removed choctaw nation ranch jobs basal pruning christmas trees arizona high school wrestling state champions June 22, 2022 when should a deacon be removed choctaw nation ranch jobs basal pruning christmas trees Multiple tops should be corrected by removing all but the most vigorous leader. Use soil and foliage tests to refine fertilizer applications after the second growing season. (Other experts cite losses of 25 to 30% due to mortality and culling even with pesticide use. ( ( We have not had any problems with mites, probably because of the diversity of insect life that occurs when trees arent sprayed with any insecticides or miticides. ( Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology because improper pruning can create lasting damage or shorten the tree's life. ( Anon., Making Wreaths for Profit, Yankee Woodlot Bull. Box 252 N. Springfield, VT 05150, Email: nectsllc@gmail.comCell: 802-681-3633 Office: 802-886-9345. New England Christmas Tree Farm ServicesP.O. :LYkQ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@u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t Fertilize trees individually the second year (by hand) by distributing about one ounce of balanced fertilizer (10-10-10, 15-15-15) in a 16-inch-diameter circle around each tree. Hill, Deborah B., Christmas Trees as an Alternative Enterprise, Forest Farmer, June 1988. Scale Management in Christmas Trees - Usda .item01 {
( You should get a soil test before planting your trees and, if the pH and phosphorus need to be adjusted, do so then. Basal pruning reduced cutting time 25%, and baling time 10%. (9dHc2HUz XJ}sHzh P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ @ - % P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ P@ PPPP@ P@@ P@ % P@ % P@ PP@ PP@ P@ % P@ - PP@ P@ P@@ @@ @@ % P@ @@ P@ P@ P@ PP@ P@ P@ P@ P@ PP=GAYkQ % - P@ P@ q6i-sN~j]A:&_$o+b7|7_IP ( ( ( ( ( Publications from Cooperative Extension suggest that such a field, before planting, could also be plowed, harrowed, limed and fertilized according to soil test recommendations. ( Although August planting is sometimes recommended, our summers have been so dry lately that I would not take the risk of planting then. J (h( ( Experiment Station, Lexington, KY Donovan, Dave D., Seedling Availability, Planting, Initial Care, Oklahoma State Univ. Trimming a Christmas tree can be an effective way to make it look more appealing. Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.] If you want to save some money but still buy plants, you could buy 2-0 seedlings and grow them in your own transplant bed for a year or two. Some growers basal prune trees 0 to 2 Christmas tree farm maintenance company that takes care of all shearing, planting, basal pruning, and harvesting needs for Christmas tree farms in the New. ( ( ( ( New England Christmas Tree Services, LLC If you think you can find the time to plant, prune and sell Christmas trees, and if you have the patience to wait about 10 years for a plantation to generate income, this might be a good crop to add to your farming system. Your trees should be transplanted to the plantation in the early spring, before the buds swell and after the frost has left the ground. This helps create the handle and encourages the tree to put energy into increasing the density of the remaining branches. ( To prune your Christmas tree, remove any upward growing stems that compete with the leader, and trim back any wayward shoots to maintain a nice even shape all round. Table-top trees could be another specialty. Douglas-fir Christmas trees require 6 to 10 years growth before harvest, a period called the . While the income from Christmas trees comes during the off season, much of the work involved in growing them does not. One day last winter, my daughter traveled from the top of one tree to another and another, traversing 11 trees without stepping on the ground. Transplanting is done, ideally, on a cloudy, windless day. of Maine Coop. of Maine Coop. ( Here is a list of Florida Christmas tree growers who are members of the Florida Christmas Tree Association. This will keep the focus on the main branch. Those assessments showed how damage varied by type of tree and location of farms. ( ( Extn., Orono ME 04469. Likewise, establishing a leguminous crop before planting the trees and then mowing or grazing that crop after the trees are planted would probably fix and cycle enough nitrogen to feed the Christmas trees. of Wisc.-Madison, Ag. (