Christmas Tree Production

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Christmas Tree Establishment
3. Species to Plant
4. Using Pest and Weed Control Products
5. Pruning and Shearing Trees
6. Harvesting and Marketing
7. Grades of Quality
8. For More Information
9. Related Links

Introduction

Christmas trees are one of several markets for field-grown conifers. Christmas tree growers may also supply other markets with transplanted conifers for use as landscape trees, in shelterbelts, for visual barriers and forest cover. Evergreen branch clippings are harvested in large quantities each year during late fall to make value-added decorations, such as wreaths and garland.

Christmas trees can be grown on marginal or less fertile land that is not suited to the production of other agricultural crops. However, Christmas trees that grow on deep, fertile loam or sandy soil, having adequate soil water drainage, are generally healthier and achieve superior quality.

Where tree quality is optimized, markets for Ontario grown Christmas trees remains very good. Export markets include the US, Mexico and a smaller percentage to the Caribbean, as long as strict Federal pest control and inspection guidelines are met. Nova Scotia, Quebec and New Brunswick produce most of Canada's exported Christmas trees, while British Columbia and Ontario have been steadily increasing production and export of high quality trees.

Current markets are highly competitive among producers and demand the best quality trees. Quality trees can be produced by following good production practices.

Figure 1. A new Christmas tree field just planted. Weed control is important during the first few years of growth.

Christmas Tree Establishment

Some important factors to consider when choosing a site and layout for a field planting:

• Distance from the market - This will affect what type of marketing system can be used as well as shipping costs. Proximity to urban areas is ideal for cut-your-own markets, while remote locations are suitable for wholesale markets.
• Soil pH - Through soil testing, it is important to know the soil pH and fertility of the soil. Some Christmas tree species require a soil pH that is acidic. For example, Fraser fir requires a soil pH of 5 to 6 and will grow poorly in soils with a pH above 6.5.
• Soil water drainage - All Christmas tree species require adequate drainage of excess soil moisture. Where natural drainage is not adequate, installation of tile drainage will improve tree growth and health.
• Minimize frost injury - Late spring frost can kill sensitive new growth on trees. Inadequate air drainage and low areas can act as frost pockets, where freezing injury to trees will occur. Gently sloped land will improve air drainage.
• Access roads - Laneways must accommodate fire routes, maintenance equipment such as sprayers and mowers and enable efficient harvest.
• Water source - Adequate water must be available for irrigation and for applying registered pest control and weed control products as required.
• Location of storage and handling areas for cut trees.
• Field planting size - How large to make a field planting, and how large to make the smaller blocks within a field planting must be decided well in advance of planting. The plan should allow for planting in consecutive years to enable an annual supply of trees for the market. The total planting area is generally divided into eight to ten equally sized blocks, where one block is cleared and planted each year, while one or two mature blocks can harvested each year.
  

Figure 2. A Christmas tree field planting after five growing seasons. Herbicides are applied to the tree rows. Mowing or tillage maintains ground cover or controls weeds between the tree rows.

Species to Plant

Choosing the right Christmas tree species must be carefully considered prior to planting. The species must suit the site with respect to soil depth, drainage, fertility and texture. Investigate the potential market for each species that will suitably grow on the site and make decisions accordingly. Growing more than one species will permit some diversity and flexibility at market time. The first tree sales will be eight to ten years in the future and predictions of species preferences by consumers, e.g. Fraser fir versus Scots pine, will be important for marketing.

Species include:

• Pine - Eastern white pine, Scots pine
• Spruce - Colorado blue, white, black hills, Engelman, Serbian
• Fir - Fraser, balsam, Canaan, Concolor, Douglas, Nordman

In Ontario, both domestic and export markets are dominated by Fraser fir and balsam fir, followed in popularity by white and Colorado blue spruce. Markets for fir trees will likely continue to increase as consumers discover the unique beauty, soft foliage and improved needle retention of the fir Christmas trees.

There are advantages to planting several different species. These include:

• Workload is spread more evenly through the year. Pine is sheared and pruned in mid-summer, spruce and fir during the dormant season.
• The customer is offered a choice of species.
• Growing only one species (monoculture) can cause increased pest problems. Diseases and insect pests of Christmas trees are generally species specific and are less likely to attack and destroy an entire field if a mixture (diversity) of tree species is grown. Learn to identify each insect pest and beneficial predatory insect. Also, learn the symptoms of tree diseases. Pests will undoubtedly claim a portion of your trees and your hard effort. The greater your knowledge the better your chances of controlling a pest problem before it causes significant losses.
• Wildlife such as white-tail deer, wild turkeys, voles, and rabbits can cause moderate to severe damage to trees during some seasons, often during winter. Learn to identify damaging wildlife species and methods to protect the trees.
  

Figure 3. Mature Christmas trees. Eight to ten years of close attention to irrigation, nutrition, pruning and control of insect pests and disease can yield profitable returns.

Using Pest and Weed Control Products

Pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, fumigants and herbicides that are used in Ontario for Christmas tree production must be registered for use by the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Growers must be certified through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course in order to buy and use Class 2 and 3 pesticides on their farms. They do not require this certification to use Class 4, 5, 6 or 7 pesticides. For information about certification for growers and training for assistants to growers, visit the Ontario Pesticide Education Program website at www.opep.ca or call 1-800-652-8573. Note that a number of pest control products that are used in the United States for Christmas tree production may not be registered for use in Ontario.

For a listing of registered insecticides and fungicides, see OMAFRA Publication 383, Nursery & Landscape Plant Production and IPM.

For a listing of registered herbicides, see OMAFRA Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control.

Pruning and Shearing Trees

Pruning refers to the selective removal of whole branches and twigs. Shearing is a form of pruning which controls tree shape by trimming the tips of the branches.

Commercial Christmas trees must be pruned and sheared annually from the first growing year through to harvest. This is done to increase foliage density and improve shape. Pruning and shearing are demanding since they must be done by hand within a certain time frame to ensure maximum bud production. Large operations may require large numbers of workers to complete the job within the optimum shearing period. Labour expenses must be minimized, while optimizing the quality of the work.

Harvesting and Marketing

Christmas tree crops may be marketed in a number of ways and the sales method will be determined by volume of production and location of the farm in relation to urban centres. Many Christmas tree growers also sell their trees as landscape transplants. Large Christmas tree producers generally establish wholesale market outlets or buyers. Producers located close to large urban developments may find it profitable to retail the trees direct to the customer or use a cut-your-own (choose-and-cut) system. Sales plans should be established before planting or at least, established before the first harvest. Unsold (uncut) trees can be carried over to the next season. Except in a cut-your-own system, spruce and fir are cut from mid-November into December if snow conditions permit access into the field planting. Early frosts tend to yellow the foliage of Scotch pine, therefore, they are cut, processed and stored in early November to preserve the blue-green colour.

Grades of Quality

Regulations for Christmas tree grades were established since 1965 under the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act for the province of Ontario. Regulated grading is no longer applied, since commercial growers recognize the necessity of proper grading and do this themselves. Grading is based on several things including branch spacing and quality, foliage colour and density, tree shape, stem straightness, mechanical damage, presence of lichens or other foreign material and any other defects. As tree grade improves, tree value increases. While grading trees is not mandatory, if a grower expects to produce valuable trees, a working knowledge of the grading standards is essential.

For More Information

• Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario (CTFO): www.christmastrees.on.ca
• Successful Christmas Tree Farming: This is a grower education program presented by the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario. It offers new association members an opportunity to learn about the Christmas tree business and to learn best production practices from experienced producers. See the CTFO website.
• Great Lakes Christmas Tree Journal: Published quarterly and is included with membership to the CTFO. This leading industry extension and research magazine is published through collaboration with Christmas tree grower associations in Ontario, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, with technical contributions from Michigan and Ohio State Universities, as well as international universities having a focus on Christmas tree production.

Related Links

• Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario (CTFO)
• Landscape Ontario - representing the Ontario nursery and landscape industry
• Michigan State University - Christmas tree production
• Cornell University - IPM for nursery, greenhouse and Christmas trees
• Ohio State University - Christmas tree production manual
• OMAFRA Publication 383, Nursery and Landscape Plant Production and IPM
• OMAFRA Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Export Directives