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Tag: Christmas trees

This season, many people are shopping for a perfect cut tree or live tree to decorate their homes.
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This season, many people are shopping for a perfect cut tree or live tree to Douglas fir treesdecorate their homes. Our local Christmas tree growers face many challenges to growing a perfect tree, an expensive and time-consuming process. A Christmas tree takes 8 to 10 years to grow to a good size, and there are many hurdles along the way. Trees must be planted properly in good soil, not too shallow or not too deep. It may take up to three years for a transplanted seedling to establish a good root system.
Insect pests and plant diseases can cause problems for Christmas tree growers. Phytophthora root rot is problematic on tree farms in many states. Phytophthora is a fungus-like organism, favored by wet, saturated soils with poor drainage. Roots in saturated soil may be stressed. The best management strategies for root rot are the purchase of clean healthy seedlings and proper site selection, because the best possible control is to avoid Phytophthora root rot to start.
There are other pests and diseases that attack Christmas tree species, such as needlecast fungi that cause spotting and discoloration of needles, and needle drop. Growers must scout their trees, apply fertilizer and pest control, trim to shape, and keep up with research on tree species and new varieties. Sales of trees, following the 10 years of nurturing, all occur yearly within a 4 to 6 week period! Our Christmas tree growers are dedicated agricultural professionals who love to see smiles on the faces of people who purchase and enjoy the trees that they grow!
Find a Delaware Christmas Tree Grower near you at: http://www.delawarechristmastreegrowersassn.com/
NFG 12/5/2016

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Many of us choose a fresh cut tree to decorate our homes for the holiday season. Choose a tree with dark green color, good shape, a straight trunk at the base, and no taller than you really need. Check to see if the tree is fresh by bending needles; they should bend and not break. Needles should not fall off in great numbers, but some needle drop is normal. Have the vendor make a fresh cut of about 1/2 inch at the base, or do so yourself. Cut off small low branches, do not pull off. Some vendors will trim, shake, and wrap for transport.
Choose a good location in your home for your tree, not in a sunny window or near a fire place or heat vent. Until you bring it indoors, keep the tree in a cool, shady location, and stand it up in a bucket of water. Cut trees take up a lot of water in the first 5 days. Inside, use a tree stand that can hold at least a quart or two of water. Add water daily and try to not let the w ater level go below the cut end of the tree. Resin on the cut surface will cause it to stop taking up water. There are many “old-wives-tales” but adding a little lemon-lime soda, vinegar, or mouthwash to tree water may help keep bacteria levels low and trees fresh a bit longer. Keeping the thermostat set cool (about 68 F) will help a tree last.
Some people choose a live tree that has roots and soil wrapped in burlap. These trees can be planted outside after the holidays, but the time indoors adds to the stress of transplanting. Live trees should not be kept inside for more than about 8-10 days. The hole for planting should be prepared ahead of time since soil may freeze. Live trees are heavy and do cost more, but can be a memory that lasts. Cut trees must be discarded, but many municipalities will chip for mulch.
NFG 12/1/2015

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Healthy Douglas FirChristmas Tree Planting Tips

The lifting, storage, and transport involved in shipments of evergreen planting stock can have long lasting effects. Planting stress affects root quality, and those effects can last beyond planting and can cause plants to not recover completely. Water is probably the most important factor. The system can be thought of as keeping a checkbook. Each stress subtracts from the quality balance remaining for tree health. Some tree nurseries allow for freezer storage of seedlings that may help preserve moisture in the plants and plant roots. Plugs need different care than bare root stock. Proper planting and care to have roots set properly can avoid J root which will cause long term stress on trees.

http://extension.udel.edu/ag/plant-diseases/christmas-trees/