Conclusion

Keep abreast of what is happening in the constantly changing world of Christmas trees. Government regulations concerning taxes, chemicals, and quarantines frequently change. So do cultural tastes and market demands. To keep up to date, join your area Christmas tree association (and visit the National Christmas Tree Association website, www.realchristmastrees.org) and attend their meetings. Subscribe to Christmas tree newsletters and magazines, read the bulletins published by your Extension service, and attend any meetings they sponsor that pertain to the growing and marketing of trees.

As advised throughout this book, it’s a good idea to talk with experienced growers and visit their farms to see what kinds of trees they’re growing, and how they’re doing it. When you decide to go ahead with your own operation, give yourself plenty of lead time to allow for soil tests, to get the equipment you’ll need to get started, to place an order for planting stock with a nursery, and to make a plan for your business.

The lists of dos and don’ts may seem overwhelming at first, as in any new project, but taking things one step at a time makes the process manageable. If you’ve read this book, you now know far more about growing trees than most of us did when we started. There is no reason why you, too, can’t have great success. Hopefully you’ll enjoy being involved in this great industry as much as we have.

Caring for a Real Christmas Tree

Care for a natural Christmas tree as you would a fresh bouquet of flowers. Before setting up your tree, make a fresh, straight cut across the trunk, at least 1 inch up from the base. Immediately place your tree in a water-holding stand, or, if you are not ready to decorate it, in a bucket of water. Don’t let the base of the tree dry out or a seal will form and a new cut will be necessary. Check the water level daily. A fresh tree can absorb several pints to a gallon of water each day.

Fire safety. A Christmas tree likes it cool and safe, so don’t place it near your fireplace, woodstove, heat source, or television set. Before decorating, check that the light cords and connections you use on your tree are in good working order. Unplug the lights when you go to bed or leave home.

After the holidays a Christmas tree has many uses:

• Place it in the garden or backyard and hang orange slices to attract birds, who can find shelter in the branches.
• Remove the branches and use them as mulch in the garden.
• Strip fir tree foliage from the branches and snip it into small pieces to stuff into aromatic pillows.
• Use trees as sand and soil erosion barriers.
• Sink a tree into a fish pond to provide refuge and feeding areas for young fish.

• Carve wooden items from the trunk.

Source: The National Christmas Tree Association

A Christmas Tree Grower’s Calendar

Each situation is different, but this seasonal calendar will give you a general sense of the tasks that must be completed throughout the year, and approximately when the jobs should be done. Each job listed doesn’t need to be done every year, of course, and you will add chores of your own that aren’t included here.

Winter (after Christmas)

• Review your records and make plans for the new year, including lining up workers if you will need them.
• Take inventory of fertilizer, pesticides, small tools, and office supplies. Order what you’ll need for this year.
• Order seedlings and/or transplants, office supplies, etc.
• Do accounts, taxes, including sales tax.
• Update mailing lists of retail or wholesale customers.
• Remove culls and clear brush from plantings and roads.
• Complete any necessary equipment repairs.
• Attend winter meeting of your Christmas tree organization.

Early Spring

• Apply pre-emergent herbicides, dormant sprays.
• Fertilize established trees.

Late Spring

• Cultivate, mow, or spray around trees.
• Watch for insect infestations and take necessary action.

Early Summer

• Shear trees and continue mowing.
• Spray, as necessary, to control disease and insects.

• Begin to line up wholesale buyers for fall.

Mid- to Late Summer

• Check trees for aphids and other pests.
• Make preliminary inventory of salable trees.
• Continue grass, weed, and brush control.
• Plan advertising; order signs.
• Visit other tree farms, and attend your association’s summer meeting.

Fall to Late Fall

• Check trees frequently for disease and insect damage.
• Watch for poor color and spray trees with colorants, if necessary.
• Get harvesting equipment in shape.
• Confirm the availability of your laborers for harvesting.
• Spread pre-emergent herbicides.
• Spray late summer brush control.
• Repair any road damage.
• Measure and tag trees for cutting and for choose-and-cut sales.
• Begin advertising for your retail or choose-and-cut operation.
• Put up your signs if they aren’t up already.

November and December

• Take advantage of any free or low-cost publicity, such as newspaper articles about Christmas trees.
• Make/order wreaths and other decorations you intend to sell along with your retail/choose-and-cut trees.
• Cut trees.
• Set up your retail stand choose-and-cut operation, and sell trees!

• Deposit money, pay bills, and enjoy the holidays.