Christmas tree cultivation
The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (December 2010) |
Christmas tree cultivation is an agricultural, forestry, and horticultural occupation which involves growing pine, spruce, and fir trees specifically for use as Christmas trees.
The first Christmas
A wide variety of pine and fir species are grown as Christmas trees, although a handful of varieties stand out in popularity. In the United States,
The final stage of cultivation, harvesting, is carried out in a number of ways; one of the more popular methods is the pick-your-own tree farm, where customers are allowed to roam the farm, select their tree, and cut it down themselves. Other farmers cultivate potted trees, with balled roots, which can be replanted after Christmas and used again the following year.
History
The practice of cultivating evergreens specifically to sell as Christmas trees dates back to 1901, when a 25,000-tree
Cultivation
Land and climate
Christmas tree farms are best located on relatively level land that is free of obstructions. In the past, Christmas tree farmers established their plantations on less desirable agricultural plots or "wastelands of agriculture".[5] However, emphasis in modern Christmas tree farming has shifted toward the production of higher-quality trees, and increasing land quality expectations.[5] Indeed, some species of trees, such as the Fraser fir, are unable to grow on low-quality, marginal farmland.[6] Flat or gently rolling land is preferred to that with steep slopes and inclines, which is prone to erosion and fluctuations in fertility. Noticeable obstructions, such as rocks, fences, or significant underbrush, are also undesirable.[5]
Like all crops and plants, Christmas trees require a specific set of nutrients to thrive.
The weather, as with other agricultural endeavors, plays a key outcome in the yield of a Christmas tree farm. Severe cold in the winter and extreme hot and dry conditions during and after harvest can cause irreparable damage to the crop.[10] Early snow can make both harvesting and shipping trees difficult or impossible.[10]
Labor and equipment
Christmas tree farming is a labor-intensive process. Depending on the quality of the land,
After the trees are in the ground, work on the crop continues. Animal pests (especially insects) and diseases must be monitored and controlled, and weed growth must also be minimized. Many species of pine and fir require pruning and shearing two to four years after planting to maintain the classic Christmas tree shape.
The outlay of money on equipment varies greatly. Some items commonly found on Christmas tree farms are insecticide sprayers, tractors, and shaper sheers.[13] Mechanized planters, at a cost of about US$4,000, are not essential but a work-saving luxury for farmers.[13] Farmers can purchase seedlings, the lifeblood of a Christmas tree farm, from nurseries. One farmer in Oregon purchased seedlings for US$200–300 per 1,000 plants. The farmer, a wholesaler, sold his final products for about $20 each; after the cost of the trees and other expenses, a profit of $2–3 per tree.[13]
Trees
The best-selling species in the North American market are Scots pine, Douglas fir,
In Great Britain,
In the
In
Pests, disease and weeds
Many of the
Mammals such as
Quality
Grade | Requirements[30] |
---|---|
U.S. Premium | Fresh, clean, healthy, heavy density, one minor defect allowed[31] |
U.S. No. 1 | Fresh, fairly clean, healthy, medium density, two minor defects allowed[32] |
U.S. No. 2 | Fresh, fairly clean, healthy, light density, three minor defects allowed[33] |
Christmas tree quality grades have been in place since 1965 in Ontario, Canada, and were included under the provincial Farm Products Grades and Sales Act.[22] While the grades in Ontario are law, in the United States the grading system is not mandated. In fact, it is common for U.S. growers to develop their own grading systems.[34] The grading systems established by individual jurisdictions are often in the spirit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) grading scheme, even if they are not entirely based upon them.[35] The Department of Agriculture's United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees took effect on October 30, 1989, covering "sheared or unsheared trees of the coniferous species which are normally marketed as Christmas trees".[29]
Harvest
Christmas trees can be harvested and marketed in different ways. Some operations are known as "choose-and-cut" or pick-your-own farms, which allow customers to walk through the planted land, select their Christmas tree and cut down themselves.[8] Wholesale operations are more labor-intensive because they usually require the farmer to complete tasks such as baling, cutting, moving the trees to a roadside pick-up, and loading the harvest. In addition, this work must be completed during a very short period in November.[8] Growers also harvest trees by digging and balling the root and selling the trees as nursery stock or as live, reusable Christmas trees. This last option allows trees to be harvested earlier than the usual six- to ten-year period required to grow a mature Christmas tree.[8]
Larger farms began using helicopters to move tree harvests during the 1980s.[3] One 1,200-acre (490 ha) farm in Oregon lacked road access, so it began using helicopters to move up to 200,000 Christmas trees per year.[36] Helicopters reduce the amount of time between harvesting and market, cutting it from up to two weeks down to as little as three days.[36]
Not all natural Christmas trees harvested are grown on plantations. In
Farmers
The people who operate Christmas tree farms range from full-time growers to part-time farmers. One farmer in Minnesota, who began planting Christmas trees in 1967, gave his trees away for free from his modest 1-acre (4,000 m2) farm for ten years before establishing a tree farming business.[40] Other farmers started growing Christmas trees as a supplemental income for retirement or college funds,[41][42] or they worked farms that were not originally established as Christmas tree farms.[43][44]
Various national growers' associations have been founded in Christmas tree producing nations. In the United Kingdom, the British Christmas Tree Growers Association is a trade association open to membership from Christmas tree farmers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.[45] The National Christmas Tree Association serves a similar function in the United States.[46]
Environmental effect
In the United States, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) promotes the environmental benefits of live Christmas trees over the competing artificial alternative.
A 1998 report from the
The
Research
Since 2004, several researchers at
U.S. institutions in other Christmas tree producing locales have also undertaken their own research programs. North Carolina State University has several full-time staff dedicated to all aspects of tree production.[57] Specialties at N.C. State cross several academic departments and range from a Christmas tree genetics program to providing material support for growers in areas such as sustainable agriculture and pest management.[57]
The Christmas Tree Research Center in Bible Hill,
Industry classification
Activities related to the cultivation of Christmas trees require cross-disciplinary (
The status of Christmas tree farms as actual, by definition,
In the United Kingdom, Christmas trees do not fall into the category of enterprises included in farm profits.[63] Instead, Christmas tree farms are classified as "market gardens".[63] Market gardens are defined separately from farming and are nurseries or gardens used for the sale of produce other than hops.[63] However, in Northern Ireland, some Christmas trees are cultivated and harvested by the Forest Service.[64]
Cultural significance
In the United States, visits to Christmas tree farms have become a
It is a tradition in my family to visit our local tree farm and harvest our family's Christmas tree. It is a wonderful event for the whole family and if you don't already do so, I encourage you to share this tradition with your family.[66] –NY Agriculture Commissioner Patrick H. Brennan, 2006
Some tree farms offer more than just a chance to cut down a live Christmas tree. Outdoor and holiday themed activities are not uncommon and include wagon rides, offering
See also
Notes
- ^ Faber Harold. Off to the farm for a Christmas tree, The New York Times, December 2, 1990, p. 17. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
- ^ Summers, Will. From Seed to Santa – A Tale of a Christmas Tree, Oregon Employment Department, November 28, 2005.
- ^ a b Chastagner and Benson, The Christmas Tree: Traditions, Production and Diseases.
- ^ a b Wolford, Christmas Tree Facts.
- ^ a b c Brown, et al., Bulletin 670: Choice of Lands for Christmas Trees.
- ^ Leuty, Todd. Fraser Fir for Christmas Trees and Landscape Transplants Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ontario), May 1, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Hart, et al., Christmas Tree Nutrient Management Guide for Western Oregon and Washington.
- ^ a b c d Johnson, et al., Tree Crops for Marginal Farmland: Christmas Trees With a Financial Analysis.
- ^ a b c Koelling and Dornbush, Growing Christmas Trees in Michigan.
- ^ a b c d e Barney and Finnerty, Christmas trees is this the crop for you?.
- ^ a b c Brown, et al., Bulletin 670: Plantation Establishment and Management: Preplanting Land Preparation.
- ^ Lane, Pirjetta, et al. Christmas tree production in Iowa, (PDF file), Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University, December 1992. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ a b c Preston, For a Very Merry Christmas, Invest in Trees for the Season. International Herald Tribune.
- ^ Christmas Tree Facts Archived 2006-09-22 at the Wayback Machine, Plant Materials Program, National Resources Conservation Service, December 16, 2003; January 23, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- ^ Fischman, Bernice and Tilt, Ken. History of the Christmas Tree Archived 2007-06-29 at the Wayback Machine, College of Agriculture - Horticulture, Auburn University. Retrieved July 14, 2007.
- ^ McEleroy, Terance. Florida-Grown Christmas Trees Presented To Governor Bush And Commissioner Bronson Archived 2010-12-02 at the Wayback Machine, (press release), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, December 5, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- ^ a b Anonymous, Metro (London), Tree shortage threatens Christmas.
- ^ a b c Christmas tree, Gardening, BBC. Retrieved 3 September 2007. Archived December 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e Bondi, An Introduction to Growing Christmas Trees.
- ^ Vukina, Tomislav, et al. (2001). A Hotelling-Faustmann Explanation of the Structure of Christmas Tree Prices. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 83 (3): 513-525.
- ^ a b Wolford, Tree Types.
- ^ a b c Leuty, Christmas tree production.
- ^ Division of Communications: Untitled story Archived September 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Outdoor Indiana, November/December 2006, Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
- ^ Sudden Oak Death (SOD) - Phytophthora ramorum Archived 2007-12-14 at the Wayback Machine, City of Victoria (British Columbia), Parks, Recreation & Community Development: Parks Division. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
- ^ a b Cornell University, Rhabodocline Needlecast (Rhabdocline weirii).
- ^ How To Identify and Control Rhabdocline and Swiss Needlecasts of Douglas-Fir, North Central Forest Experiment Station United States Forest Service, 1983. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- ^ Christmas Tree Pest Manual, Index A Archived 2007-08-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- ^ Christmas Tree Pest Manual, Shoot/Branch Injury Archived 2007-01-03 at the Wayback Machine, Table of Contents Archived 2007-08-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- ^ a b United States Department of Agriculture, "United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees".
- ^ The table lists only a portion of the requirements for each grade. Each grade consists of 12 requirements. See United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees.
- ^ The 12 requirements a tree must possess for the "U.S. Premium" grade are: characteristics typical of the species, butt trimmed (except for trees graded "on the stump"), normal taper, fresh, clean, healthy, well-shaped, not less than heavy density, handle length cannot exceed 6 inches (15 cm), or more than 1+1⁄2 inches (3.8 cm) for each foot (.3 m) of height (except for trees graded "on the stump"), in total three faces must not have more than one "minor defect", the other face may have only one minor defect. The final two requirements have to do with size and a few exceptions for cases where entire lots are required to meet the grade. See United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees.
- ^ The 12 requirements a tree must possess for the "U.S. No. 1" grade are the same as U.S. Premium except for fairly clean, instead of clean, not less than medium density, and in total three faces must not have more than two "minor defects", the other face may have only one "noticeable defect". The final two requirements are also the same as those for the U.S. Premium grade.
- ^ The 12 requirements a tree must possess for the "U.S. No. 2" grade are the same as U.S. Premium except for fairly clean, instead of clean, not less than light density, and in total two adjacent faces must not have more than three "minor defects", the other faces may have two "noticeable defects". The final two requirements are also the same as those for the U.S. Premium grade.
- ^ Brown, James H., et al. Bulletin 670: Harvesting the Christmas tree crop, Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual, Ohio State University. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ Wholesale, New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association, official site. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
- ^ a b Kalkstein, KVAL News Channel 13 (Eugene, Oregon), "Christmas tree harvest".
- ^ Christmas Trees Archived 2007-06-20 at the Wayback Machine, BC Farm Products A–Z, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- ^ Okanagan Shuswap Forest District, Information on cutting free Christmas Trees for Personal Use, British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Ranges. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Christmas tree permits Archived November 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, United States Forest Service, December 3, 2000. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ a b c Foster, Jessica. For 37 years, tree farm has built tradition in FL Archived October 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Forest Lake Times (Forest Lake, Minnesota), December 8, 2004. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
- ^ a b c Briody, Judy. Family traditions abound at Christmas tree farm Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, Farragut Press (Farragut, Tennessee), December 16, 2004. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
- ^ McLeod, Gerald E. Day Trips, The Austin Chronicle (Austin, Texas), December 12, 2003. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ Zigmond, Jessica. Christmas trees help hog business[permanent dead link], Medill News Service, Northwestern University, August 17, 1999. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ Scott, Julia. Tradition grows at 'perfect' Christmas tree farm, Oakland Tribune, December 8, 2006, via FindArticles. Retrieved September 6, 2007. [dead link]
- ^ British Christmas Tree Growers Association, official site. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ About Us Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, National Christmas Tree Association, official site. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ a b c National Christmas Tree Association, "Real Christmas Trees are a Benefit to the Environment".
- ^ a b c d e Hickman, "Is it OK ... to get a Christmas tree?"
- ^ Ellipsos Inc. "Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Christmas trees, A study ends the debate over which Christmas tree, natural or artificial, is most ecological Archived December 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine", December 16, 2008; accessed online September 22, 2009.
- ^ Koelling, Melvin R., et al. Christmas Tree Production in Michigan Archived November 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Agricultural Experiment Station, Michigan State University, July 28, 1998. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- ^ a b Sidebottom, Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Tree Farms and Pesticides.
- ^ a b Wilson, Jon. Keep Christmas Trees Fresh and Safe Archived June 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, West Central Research & Extension Center, University of Nebraska, 4 December 2000. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
- ^ Silviculture and Ecology Archived June 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Department of Forest Resources, Oregon State University College of Forestry. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Current Research of 2004, Oregon State University College of Forestry. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Rost, Bob. OSU Extension helps growers improve Christmas tree genetics Archived September 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, (Press release), Oregon State University, News and Communications Services, December 9, 1996. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Christmas Tree Research and Forest Genetics Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine, Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico State University, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ a b "Christmas Tree Research and Extension Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine", North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ Barth, Brian (19 December 2016). "Can Science Produce a Longer Lasting Christmas Tree?". Modern Farmer. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- ^ 29 CFR 780.208 - Forest and Christmas tree activities Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Title 29, Chapter 5, Section 780.208, Code of Federal Regulations, United States Department of Labor. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Farm Service Agency Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Agricultural Fact Book 1997 Archived October 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Office of Communications, United States Department of Agriculture, 1997, p. 4. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Hoppe. Robert A. and Korb, Penni. Farm Numbers: Largest Growing Fastest Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine, (PDF file), Agricultural Outlook, October 2002, pp. 24–27, Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Net Farm Income Archived September 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Agriculture Economic Statistics, Statistics Canada, May 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
- ^ a b c HM Revenue & Customs, Nurseries and Market Gardens - definition.
- ^ Forest Fresh Christmas Trees Archived September 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Forest Service (Northern Ireland), United Kingdom Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- ^ Long, Tom. N.H. family's donation preserves Christmas tree tradition, The Boston Globe, 23 August 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
- ^ a b Chittenden, Jessica A. Commissioner urges consumers to buy New York Christmas trees Archived 2012-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, (Press release), New York State Department of Agriculture, 7 December 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
- ^ Go to a Christmas tree farm to relive, make, keep memories Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, Tennessee.gov, 13 November 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
- ^ a b Krug, Nick. Tradition clashes with economy, The Topeka Capital Journal (Topeka, Kansas), 2 December 2002, via FindArticles. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
References
- Anonymous. Tree shortage threatens Christmas Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, Metro (London), November 28, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Barney, D.L., and Finnerty, T.L. Christmas trees is this the crop for you?, (PDF), Alternative Agricultural Enterprises, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho, June 1995. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Bondi, Mike. An Introduction to Growing Christmas Trees, Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon State University, via Washington State University. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
- Brown, James H., et al. Bulletin 670: Choice of Lands for Christmas Trees, Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual, Ohio State University. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
- Brown, James H., et al. Bulletin 670: Plantation Establishment and Management: Preplanting Land Preparation, Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual, Ohio State University. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
- Chastagner, Gary A., and Benson, D. Michael. The Christmas Tree: Traditions, Production and Diseases, Plant Management Network International, (authors from North Carolina State University and Washington State University), October 13, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
- Cornell University, Rhabodocline Needlecast (Rhabdocline weirii), Department of Plant Pathology. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- Day, Eric. Insect Pests of Christmas Trees slides, Insect Identification Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, January 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Christmas tree Archived 2007-12-13 at the Wayback Machine, Gardening, BBC. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Hart, John, et al. Christmas Tree Nutrient Management Guide for Western Oregon and Washington, (PDF), OSU Extension Service, Oregon State University, February 2004. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Hickman, Leo. Is it OK ... to get a Christmas tree?, Guardian (UK), December 6, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- HM Revenue & Customs, Nurseries and Market Gardens - definition, Business Income Manual (Contents), BIM62601, 2003–2007. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
- Johnson, James E. et al. Tree Crops for Marginal Farmland: Christmas Trees With a Financial Analysis, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, March 1997. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Kalkstein, Meghan. Christmas tree harvest, KVAL News Channel 13 (Eugene, Oregon), November 18, 2006. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
- Koelling, Melvin and Dornbush, Laurie J. Growing Christmas Trees in Michigan, Forestry Area Of Expertise (AOE) Team, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan State University. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- Leuty, Todd. Christmas tree production, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, March 26, 1999; July 31, 2003. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- National Christmas Tree Association, Real Christmas Trees are a Benefit to the Environment". Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Preston, Holly Hubbard. For a Very Merry Christmas, Invest in Trees for the Season Archived 2011-05-20 at the Wayback Machine, International Herald Tribune, December 23, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Schmitz, John. Fungal disease of true firs attacking Christmas trees, The Capital Press, June 28, 2002, via Washington State University. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Sidebottom, Jill R. Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Tree Farms and Pesticides, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center, North Carolina State University, October 30, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- United States Department of Agriculture, Christmas Tree Pest Manual, Michigan State University Extension, 1997–1998. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
- United States Department of Agriculture, United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees, (PDF file), Agricultural Marketing Service, October 30, 1989, reprinted January 1997. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- University of California, Berkeley, A Christmas Tree Grower's Guide to Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine, (PDF file), College of Natural Resources, November 20, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Wolford, Ron. Christmas Tree Facts, Christmas Trees & More, University of Illinois. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
- Wolford, Ron. Tree Types, Christmas Trees & More, University of Illinois. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
External links
- Attack of the Mutant Artificial Trees, Flash game, from the NCTA
- Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association, Canada
- Christmas Tree Magazine, trade publication
- British Christmas Tree Growers Association, Great Britain
- National Christmas Tree Association, United States
- CNN: Growers tag 'green' Christmas trees