Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
|
|
Extension Communications |
12/8/03
Contacts:
Paul Wray, Forestry Extension, (515) 294-1168, phw@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning Dec. 12, 2003
Iowa Christmas Trees
By Paul Wray
Extension Forester
Iowa State University
Each year in the United States, more than 22 million Christmas trees are harvested. This tradition, dating back to the 16th century in Strasbourg, Germany, has continued and thrived into the 21st century. The first retail offering of a Christmas tree was in New York City in 1851. Each year since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association provides the first family with a fresh, renewable tree.
Natural Christmas trees are renewable, unlike their artificial counter parts make of petroleum or plastic. In fact, each year more than 69 percent of trees sold are recycled by community programs into useful mulch for flowers and trees or for fish habitat in Iowa lakes and ponds. They are also renewable, because every spring growers plant three new seedlings for each tree harvested. For more information visit the National Christmas Tree Growers Association's Web site at http://www.realchristmastrees.org/.
Iowa has approximately 150 growers, producing trees for choose and cut operations and retail lots. Popular species include Scotch pine, white pine, red pine, balsam fir, Canaan and Fraser fir. For the grower, the sale season is not the only busy time of the season. Growing Christmas trees requires a year round plan of action. For a list of Iowa growers visit the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Web site at http://www2.state.ia.us/agriculture/xmastreedirec.htm.
Trees must be planted every year. In the fall, growers do site preparation by preparing the soil to plant, using tillage or herbicides to remove competing grasses and weeds, contacting nurseries and ordering planting stock. In April, trees are either hand or machine planted. Hand planting involves using tree planting bars, shovels or spades to plant the trees, making sure trees are planted at the right depth and straight to produce a high quality tree. After planting, growers must apply a layer of organic mulch for weed control or use one of the registered herbicides to prevent weed and grass competition during the growing season. Weed control is required every year on every tree until harvest.
During much of the spring and summer, the trees must be monitored for insect and disease problems. Common insect pests for the Iowa grower include pine needle scale and European sawfly. Common diseases are brown spot and Lophoderium needlecast. In addition, growers face other biological obstacles including deer, gopher, ground squirrels, mice and voles. Birds cause deformed leaders by perching on them as they expand in the spring. Weather and climate also have an impact including damage from too little or too much precipitation, winds, ice and snow.
Newly planted trees may require staking to correct leaning trees and correction of multiple leaders during their first three years. In June and July, starting 2 to 4 years after planting, each tree is sheared to control its growth, shape, density and form. Growers may thin the number of shoots on each tree and control the expansion of the leader to produce trees that have desirable density of leaves and branches. Terminal growth is limited to develop trees with greater density and symmetry. Trees are shaped with either shearing knives or mechanical shears or trimmers to produce that ideal shape for a Christmas tree, which is twice as high as wide. Good 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. Growers may also basal prune each tree, allowing for easier harvesting and providing a branch free handle for the consumer.
Some species of trees produced in Iowa require an application of a tint and anti--desiccant to maintain their good green color during the Christmas season. These dyes are normally applied with mist blowers or hand sprayers during September to November.
Starting in October, growers get ready to market their product. Most Iowa trees are sold in the field as choose--and--cut operations. These trees are tagged, graded and priced. Christmas tree growers are responsible for advertising their product, providing access to the plantings, and helping the consumer harvest their perfect tree. This may involve providing shakers to help remove old needles and Christmas tree bags or bailers to get the tree home and into the house. Wholesale growers are usually responsible for harvesting each tree, shaking, bailing the tree and, in many cases, delivery of the trees to retail lots.
After Christmas, the growers are allowed a little rest and the process starts over again. This year as you decorate and enjoy your natural, renewable Christmas tree, remember it involves a whole lot more than planting and harvesting that tree 7 to 12 years later. Give your grower an extra smile and a pat on the back for a job well done.
-30-
Editors: There is no photo available for this week's column.
ml: isugarden