![Christmas tree farm FL](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Christmas_tree_farm_FL.JPG)
Christmas tree cultivation is an
agricultural,
forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...
, and
horticultural
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...
occupation which involves growing
pine
A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. The World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden accepts ...
,
spruce, and
fir trees specifically for use as
Christmas trees.
The first Christmas
tree farm
In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are u ...
was established in 1901, but most consumers continued to obtain their trees from forests until the 1930s and 1940s. Christmas tree farming was once seen only as a viable alternative for low-quality farmland, but that perception has changed within the agriculture industry. For optimum yield and quality, land should be flat or gently rolling and relatively free of debris and undergrowth.
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,
Douglas-fir
The Douglas fir (''Pseudotsuga menziesii'') is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. There are three va ...
,
Scots pine
''Pinus sylvestris'', the Scots pine (UK), Scotch pine (US) or Baltic pine, is a species of tree in the pine family Pinaceae that is native to Eurasia. It can readily be identified by its combination of fairly short, blue-green leaves and orang ...
and
Fraser fir
The Fraser fir (''Abies fraseri'') is a species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States.
''Abies fraseri'' is closely related to ''Abies balsamea'' (balsam fir), of which it has occasionally been treated a ...
all sell well.
Nordmann fir
''Abies nordmanniana'', the Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, is a fir indigenous to the mountains south and east of the Black Sea, in Turkey, Georgia and the Russian Caucasus. It occurs at altitudes of 900–2,200 m on mountains with precipi ...
and
Norway spruce sell well in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, the latter being popular throughout Europe. Like all
conifers, Christmas trees are vulnerable to a range of
pests.
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
Norway spruce farm was sown near
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It was the capital of the United States from November 1 to December 24, 1784.[Off to the farm for a Christmas tree]
''The New York Times'', December 2, 1990, p. 17. Retrieved September 5, 2007. The commercial market for Christmas trees had started 50 years earlier when a farmer from the Catskill Mountains brought trees into New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
to sell.[Summers, Will]
From Seed to Santa – A Tale of a Christmas Tree
''Oregon Employment Department'', November 28, 2005. Despite these pioneering efforts, most people still obtained wild-grown Christmas trees from forests into the 1930s and 1940s.[ More trees were grown in plantations after ]World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, and by the 1950s, farmers were shearing and pruning trees to meet customer demands. The Christmas tree market burgeoned through the 1960s and 1970s, but from the late 1980s onward, prices and the market for natural Christmas trees declined. In the early 21st century, nearly 98% of all natural (not artificial) Christmas trees sold worldwide were grown on tree farms.[
]
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".[ However, emphasis in modern Christmas tree farming has shifted toward the production of higher-quality trees, and increasing land quality expectations.][ Indeed, some species of trees, such as the ]Fraser fir
The Fraser fir (''Abies fraseri'') is a species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States.
''Abies fraseri'' is closely related to ''Abies balsamea'' (balsam fir), of which it has occasionally been treated a ...
, are unable to grow on low-quality, marginal farmland.[Leuty, Todd]
Fraser Fir for Christmas Trees and Landscape Transplants
, ''Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs'' (Ontario), May 1, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2007. Flat or gently rolling land is preferred to that with steep slopes and inclines, which is prone to erosion
Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is dis ...
and fluctuations in fertility. Noticeable obstructions, such as rocks, fences, or significant underbrush, are also undesirable.[Brown, et al., Bulletin 670: Choice of Lands for Christmas Trees.]
Like all crops and plants, Christmas trees require a specific set of nutrients to thrive.[ Some 16 elements are crucial for growth; of those, three are obtained through air and water: ]hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element. At standard conditions hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula . It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic ...
, carbon
Carbon () is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent—its atom making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds. It belongs to group 14 of the periodic table. Carbon mak ...
, and oxygen
Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as ...
. Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a nonmetal and the lightest member of group 15 of the periodic table, often called the pnictogens. It is a common element in the universe, estimated at se ...
, phosphorus
Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus and red phosphorus, but because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Ear ...
, potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K (from Neo-Latin ''kalium'') and atomic number19. Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmosph ...
, calcium
Calcium is a chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar t ...
, magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 of the periodic ta ...
, sulfur, boron, copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkis ...
, chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between them. Chlorine i ...
, manganese
Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a hard, brittle, silvery metal, often found in minerals in combination with iron. Manganese is a transition metal with a multifaceted array of industrial alloy use ...
, molybdenum, iron
Iron () is a chemical element with Symbol (chemistry), symbol Fe (from la, Wikt:ferrum, ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 element, group 8 of the periodic table. It is, Abundanc ...
, and zinc
Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. Zinc is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodi ...
are obtained from the soil. If the necessary elements are not available in the local soil, nutritious fertilizers are used.[Hart, et al., ''Christmas Tree Nutrient Management Guide for Western Oregon and Washington''.] Other important soil considerations include pH and drainage
Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of a surface's water and sub-surface water from an area with excess of water. The internal drainage of most agricultural soils is good enough to prevent severe waterlogging (anaerobic condition ...
.[Johnson, et al., ''Tree Crops for Marginal Farmland: Christmas Trees With a Financial Analysis''.] Certain types of soil are preferable, depending on the type of tree. Pine tree
A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. The World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden ac ...
s are usually better adapted to a sandy or sandy loam soil,[ while ]white spruce White spruce is a common name for several species of spruce ('' Picea'') and may refer to:
* ''Picea glauca'', native to most of Canada and Alaska with limited populations in the northeastern United States
* '' Picea engelmannii'', native to the ...
trees and fir trees, such as the Douglas fir, prefer fine-texture loams and clay loam soils.[ Some trees grow well in all types of soil, but in any case, the land must be well-drained for a Christmas tree farm to have a chance of thriving.][Koelling and Dornbush, ''Growing Christmas Trees in Michigan''.]
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.[ Early snow can make both harvesting and shipping trees difficult or impossible.][Barney and Finnerty, ''Christmas trees is this the crop for you?''.]
Labor and equipment
Christmas tree farming is a labor-intensive process. Depending on the quality of the land, bulldozing
A bulldozer or dozer (also called a crawler) is a large, motorized machine equipped with a metal blade to the front for pushing material: soil, sand, snow, rubble, or rock during construction work. It travels most commonly on continuous tracks ...
may need to be undertaken prior to planting, to remove obstacles such as large trees or rocks.[Brown, et al., Bulletin 670: ''Plantation Establishment and Management: Preplanting Land Preparation''.] If the volume of undergrowth requires it, the soil may be tilled; tilling can help remove any debris remaining after tree or weed removal. Both woody plant
A woody plant is a plant that produces wood as its structural tissue and thus has a hard stem. In cold climates, woody plants further survive winter or dry season above ground, as opposite to herbaceous plants that die back to the ground until sp ...
s and herbaceous weeds must be controlled prior to planting; this is most often done by application of a chemical herbicide.[ In addition, some types of ]fertilizer
A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English; see spelling differences) is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from ...
s must be introduced into the soil prior to planting.[ The work done before planting tree ]seedling
A seedling is a young sporophyte developing out of a plant embryo from a seed. Seedling development starts with germination of the seed. A typical young seedling consists of three main parts: the radicle (embryonic root), the hypocotyl (embryo ...
s plays an important role in the overall success of a Christmas tree crop.[
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.][ Late or omitted pruning can result in trees that are unmarketable due to large gaps in needle coverage. Some species of pine, such as the ]Scots pine
''Pinus sylvestris'', the Scots pine (UK), Scotch pine (US) or Baltic pine, is a species of tree in the pine family Pinaceae that is native to Eurasia. It can readily be identified by its combination of fairly short, blue-green leaves and orang ...
, are susceptible to dormant season "yellowing", which is generally countered with a green dye or paint.[Lane, Pirjetta, et al]
Christmas tree production in Iowa
( PDF file), Cooperative Extension Service, ''Iowa State University'', December 1992. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
The outlay of money on equipment varies greatly. Some items commonly found on Christmas tree farms are insecticide sprayers, tractor
A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or construction. Most commo ...
s, and shaper sheers.[Preston, For a Very Merry Christmas, Invest in Trees for the Season. ''International Herald Tribune''.] Mechanized planters, at a cost of about US$
The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
4,000, are not essential but a work-saving luxury for farmers.[ Farmers can purchase seedlings, the lifeblood of a Christmas tree farm, from nurseries. One farmer in Oregon purchased seedlings for ]US$
The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
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.[
]
Trees
The best-selling species in the North American market are Scots pine, Douglas fir, noble fir
''Abies procera'', the noble fir, also called red fir and Christmas tree, is a species of fir native to the Cascade Range and Pacific Coast Ranges of the northwestern Pacific Coast of the United States. It occurs at altitudes of .
Description
' ...
, balsam fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine
''Pinus virginiana'', the Virginia pine, scrub pine, Jersey pine, Possum pine, is a medium-sized tree, often found on poorer soils from Long Island in southern New York south through the Appalachian Mountains to western Tennessee and Alabama. T ...
, and eastern white pine, although other types of trees are also grown and sold.[Wolford, ''Christmas Tree Facts''.][Christmas Tree Facts]
, Plant Materials Program, ''National Resources Conservation Service'', December 16, 2003; January 23, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007. In Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
, for example, types of trees grown for use as Christmas trees include eastern white pine, redcedar, Virginia pine, Leyland cypress
The Leyland cypress, ''Cupressus'' × ''leylandii'', often referred to simply as leylandii, is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree much used in horticulture, primarily for hedges and screens. Even on sites of relatively poor culture, plant ...
, and Arizona cypress
''Cupressus arizonica'', the Arizona cypress, is a North American species of tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Populations may be scattered rather than in large, dense stands.
Descripti ...
.[Fischman, Bernice and Tilt, Ken]
History of the Christmas Tree
, College of Agriculture - Horticulture, ''Auburn University''. Retrieved July 14, 2007.
In Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
, the sand pine
''Pinus clausa'' is a species of pine endemic to the Southeastern United States. Its common names include sand pine, Florida spruce pine, Alabama pine, and scrub pine.
Distribution
The tree is found in two separate locations, one across central ...
and spruce pine are among the 20,000 grown in the state each year.[McEleroy, Terance]
Florida-Grown Christmas Trees Presented To Governor Bush And Commissioner Bronson
, (press release
A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Press releases are also considere ...
), ''Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services'', December 5, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
In Great Britain, Nordmann fir
''Abies nordmanniana'', the Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, is a fir indigenous to the mountains south and east of the Black Sea, in Turkey, Georgia and the Russian Caucasus. It occurs at altitudes of 900–2,200 m on mountains with precipi ...
is a popular species, largely due to its needle-holding qualities.[Anonymous, ''Metro'' (London), ''Tree shortage threatens Christmas''.][Christmas tree](_blank)
Gardening, ''BBC''. Retrieved 3 September 2007. Other popular trees in Britain are Norway spruce, Serbian spruce, and Scots pine, the last of which is slightly rarer;[ it has sharp needles that do not shed easily.][
In the ]U.S. Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest (sometimes Cascadia, or simply abbreviated as PNW) is a geographic region in western North America bounded by its coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains to the east. Though ...
, a major Christmas tree growing region, Douglas fir has always been the primary species grown.[ A full one-half of all trees produced in the Pacific Northwest are Douglas fir.][Bondi, ''An Introduction to Growing Christmas Trees''.] Douglas firs typically take five to seven years before they are mature enough to sell as Christmas trees.[ Also common in the region are noble fir, a tree that commands a higher price than Douglas fir, and ]grand fir
''Abies grandis'' (grand fir, giant fir, lowland white fir, great silver fir, western white fir, Vancouver fir, or Oregon fir) is a fir native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California of North America, occurring at altitudes of sea leve ...
, which accounts for about 10% of the annual harvest in the Northwest.[ Other species collectively account for only 3–5% of the total Northwest harvest.][
In North America, ]Fraser fir
The Fraser fir (''Abies fraseri'') is a species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States.
''Abies fraseri'' is closely related to ''Abies balsamea'' (balsam fir), of which it has occasionally been treated a ...
, grown in the Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, (french: Appalaches), are a system of mountains in eastern to northeastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. They ...
of North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...
, has been called the "Cadillac of Christmas Trees", as well as the "most popular and most valuable of Christmas tree species".[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.] In the Southern United States
The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
, Virginia pine is a popular Christmas tree species.[ In ]Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, white pine, white spruce, Scots pine, blue spruce
The blue spruce (''Picea pungens''), also commonly known as green spruce, Colorado spruce, or Colorado blue spruce, is a species of spruce tree. It is native to North America, and is found in USDA growing zones 1 through 7. It is found naturall ...
, and Fraser fir are commonly cultivated.[ In the province of ]Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
, Scots pine has always dominated both the domestic and export markets.[ Other regions of the world also have different favorites of natural Christmas trees, and Christmas tree farms reflect these; In Europe, Norway spruce is popular.][Wolford, ''Tree Types''.]
Pests, disease and weeds
Many of the conifer species cultivated face infestations and death from such pests as the balsam woolly adelgid
Balsam woolly adelgids (''Adelges piceae'') are small wingless insects that infest and kill firs, especially balsam fir and Fraser fir. They are an invasive species from Europe introduced to the United States around 1900.
Because this species ...
, other adelgids, and aphid
Aphids are small sap-sucking insects and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Common names include greenfly and blackfly, although individuals within a species can vary widely in color. The group includes the fluffy white woolly aphids. A t ...
s. Invasive insect species, such as the pine shoot beetle and the gypsy moth
''Lymantria dispar'', also known as the gypsy moth or the spongy moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. ''Lymantria dispar'' is subdivided into several subspecies, with subspecies such as ''L. d. dispar'' and ''L. d. japonica'' bei ...
, also threaten Christmas tree crops.[Division of Communications: Untitled story]
, ''Outdoor Indiana'', November/December 2006, Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 4, 2007. Christmas trees are also vulnerable to fungal pathogens, resulting in such illnesses as root rot, and, in California, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia sudden oak death
James Green aka "Sudden" is a fictional character created by an English author Oliver Strange in the early 1930s as the hero of a series, originally published by George Newnes Books Ltd, set in the American Wild West era. Oliver Strange died i ...
.[Sudden Oak Death (SOD) - Phytophthora ramorum]
, ''City of Victoria'' (British Columbia), Parks, Recreation & Community Development: Parks Division. Retrieved 11 September 2007. Douglas-fir
The Douglas fir (''Pseudotsuga menziesii'') is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. There are three va ...
trees are especially vulnerable to infections from plant pathogens such as '' R. pseudotsugae'' and '' Rhabdocline weirii''; ''R. weirii'' affects only Douglas fir trees.[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. The pathogen often makes Douglas fir trees unsaleable as Christmas trees and heavily affects the Christmas tree farming industry.[''Cornell University'', Rhabodocline Needlecast (''Rhabdocline weirii'').]
Mammals such as deer
Deer or true deer are hoofed ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. The two main groups of deer are the Cervinae, including the muntjac, the elk (wapiti), the red deer, and the fallow deer; and the Capreolinae, including the re ...
, gophers, and ground squirrel
Ground squirrels are members of the squirrel family of rodents ( Sciuridae), which generally live on or in the ground, rather than trees. The term is most often used for the medium-sized ground squirrels, as the larger ones are more commonly known ...
s are also threats to Christmas tree crops, due to the damage they cause to roots and buds. Certain species of birds are also considered pests, including the pine grosbeak
The pine grosbeak (''Pinicola enucleator'') is a large member of the true finch family, Fringillidae. It is the only species in the genus ''Pinicola''. It is found in coniferous woods across Alaska, the western mountains of the United States, Can ...
, which feeds on conifer buds,[''Christmas Tree Pest Manual'']
Index A
Retrieved September 7, 2007. usually affecting Scots pine but also affecting eastern white pine and red pine
''Pinus resinosa'', known as red pine (also Norway pine in Minnesota), is a pine native to North America.
Description
Red pine is a coniferous evergreen tree characterized by tall, straight growth. It usually ranges from in height and in trun ...
, as well as spruce trees.[''Christmas Tree Pest Manual'']
Shoot/Branch Injury
Retrieved September 7, 2007. Herbaceous weed
A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, "a plant in the wrong place", or a plant growing where it is not wanted.Harlan, J. R., & deWet, J. M. (1965). Some thoughts about weeds. ''Economic botany'', ''19''(1), 16-24. ...
s, as well as woody plant
A woody plant is a plant that produces wood as its structural tissue and thus has a hard stem. In cold climates, woody plants further survive winter or dry season above ground, as opposite to herbaceous plants that die back to the ground until sp ...
s, also compete with Christmas tree crops for water and nutrients, necessitating control methods including mowing, chemical herbicide use, and tilling.
Quality
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.[Leuty, ''Christmas tree production''.] 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.[Brown, James H., et al]
Bulletin 670: Harvesting the Christmas tree crop
''Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual'', Ohio State University. Retrieved September 6, 2007. 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.[Wholesale]
''New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association'', official site. Retrieved 6 September 2007. 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".[''United States Department of Agriculture'', "United States Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees".]
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.[ 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.][ 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.][
]
Larger farms began using helicopters to move tree harvests during the 1980s.[Chastagner and Benson, ''The Christmas Tree: Traditions, Production and Diseases''.] One farm in Oregon lacked road access, so it began using helicopters to move up to 200,000 Christmas trees per year.[ Helicopters reduce the amount of time between harvesting and market, cutting it from up to two weeks down to as little as three days.][Kalkstein, ''KVAL News Channel 13'' ( Eugene, Oregon), "Christmas tree harvest".]
Not all natural Christmas trees harvested are grown on plantations. In British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
, Canada, for example, most of the 900,000 trees harvested for use as Christmas trees came from native pine and fir stands.[Christmas Trees]
, BC Farm Products A–Z, ''British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands''. Retrieved September 7, 2007. The British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Ranges allows any resident of the province to cut a Christmas tree for free from Crown Lands, provided the individual receive prior permission in writing from a forest officer.[Okanagan Shuswap Forest District]
Information on cutting free Christmas Trees for Personal Use, ''British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Ranges''. Retrieved September 10, 2007. In the United States, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management offer permits for individual tree cutting on government land, mostly within the National Forest system.[Christmas tree permits]
, ''United States Forest Service'', December 3, 2000. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
Farmers
The people who operate Christmas tree farms range from full-time growers to part-time farmers. One farmer in Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
, who began planting Christmas trees in 1967, gave his trees away for free from his modest farm for ten years before establishing a tree farming business.[Foster, Jessica]
For 37 years, tree farm has built tradition in FL
, ''Forest Lake Times'' (Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States, located 27 miles northeast of Saint Paul. The population was 20,611 at the 2020 census. The 2021 population is 20,608.
History
Forest Lake began as a stop on the St. Paul ...
), December 8, 2004. Retrieved September 4, 2007. Other farmers started growing Christmas trees as a supplemental income for retirement or college funds,[Briody, Judy]
Family traditions abound at Christmas tree farm
, ''Farragut Press'' (Farragut, Tennessee
Farragut is a suburban town located in Knox and Loudon counties in the State of Tennessee, United States. The town's population was 23,506 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. The town is named in honor of Hisp ...
), December 16, 2004. Retrieved September 4, 2007.[McLeod, Gerald E]
Day Trips
''The Austin Chronicle'' (Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...
), December 12, 2003. Retrieved September 6, 2007. or they worked farms that were not originally established as Christmas tree farms.[Zigmond, Jessica]
Christmas trees help hog business
''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.
Various national growers' associations have been founded in Christmas tree producing nations. In the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, the British Christmas Tree Growers Association
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association is the trade association for those who grow specialist Christmas Trees in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Membership is open to those who intend to grow or are growing trees for the Christmas mar ...
is a trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. An industry trade association partic ...
open to membership from Christmas tree farmers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
.[British Christmas Tree Growers Association]
official site. Retrieved September 6, 2007. The National Christmas Tree Association The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) is a professional organization in the United States of over 5,100 "Christmas tree professionals" in various capacities. The group focuses its work into three areas: promotion and research, federal repre ...
serves a similar function in the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
.[About Us]
, ''National Christmas Tree Association'', official site. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
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.[ The NCTA stated that every acre of Christmas trees in production produced the daily ]oxygen
Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as ...
requirement for 18 people; with in production in the U.S. alone, that amounts to oxygen for 9 million people per day.[ The NCTA also stated that the farms help to stabilize the soil, protect water supplies and provide wildlife habitat.][''National Christmas Tree Association'', "Real Christmas Trees are a Benefit to the Environment".] In addition, the industry points to the reduction of carbon dioxide through Christmas tree farming.[Hickman, "Is it OK ... to get a Christmas tree?"] An independent Life Cycle Assessment
Life cycle assessment or LCA (also known as life cycle analysis) is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a commercial product, process, or service. For instance, in the case o ...
(LCA) study, conducted by a firm of experts in sustainable development, states that a natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gases
A greenhouse gas (GHG or GhG) is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor (), carbon dioxide (), methane ...
whereas the artificial tree will produce 8.1 kg per year.[Ellipsos Inc.]
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Christmas trees, A study ends the debate over which Christmas tree, natural or artificial, is most ecological
", December 16, 2008; accessed online September 22, 2009.
A 1998 report from the Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Station
An agricultural experiment station (AES) or agricultural research station (ARS) is a scientific research center that investigates difficulties and potential improvements to food production and agribusiness. Experiment station scientists work with f ...
predicted increasing environmental concerns about tree production and use as one possible reason people may favor artificial trees in the future. The report cited the use of fertilizer
A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English; see spelling differences) is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from ...
s and pesticides and increasing concerns regarding tree disposal as the chief elements in its prediction.[Koelling, Melvin R., et al]
Christmas Tree Production in Michigan
, Agricultural Experiment Station, ''Michigan State University'', July 28, 1998. Retrieved September 3, 2007. Critics of tree farming have raised the concerns highlighted in the 1998 report, as well as other issues, such as the effect that large-scale tree farming operations have on biodiversity
Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic (''genetic variability''), species (''species diversity''), and ecosystem (''ecosystem diversity'') l ...
.[ Pesticide use on Christmas tree farms is one of the main concerns of environmentalists;][Sidebottom, ''Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Tree Farms and Pesticides''.] fir trees are vulnerable to a wide array of pests and diseases which requires the use of pesticides and other chemicals including the widely used herbicide glyphosate
Glyphosate (IUPAC name: ''N''-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It is an organophosphorus compound, specifically a phosphonate, which acts by inhibiting the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshik ...
.[ Glyphosate is commonly used in Christmas tree production in the U.S. state of North Carolina, where studies have found traces of agricultural chemicals in homes and tree industry workers' urine samples.][ The average Christmas tree receives roughly a half of an ]ounce
The ounce () is any of several different units of mass, weight or volume and is derived almost unchanged from the , an Ancient Roman unit of measurement.
The avoirdupois ounce (exactly ) is avoirdupois pound; this is the United States customa ...
(14 g) of pesticide over its lifetime.[
The ]BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
's "Gardening" website called buying Christmas trees directly from the farm, "the most environmentally friendly way of getting a tree".
Other positive environmental attributes have been given live Christmas trees as well. Researchers at the
University of Nebraska
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, ...
included the reuse of natural Christmas trees as
mulch
A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. Reasons for applying mulch include conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, reducing weed growth and enhancing the visual appeal of the area.
A mu ...
and, in larger quantities, piled up as
soil erosion barriers, among the benefits of live tree use.
[Wilson, Jon]
Keep Christmas Trees Fresh and Safe
, West Central Research & Extension Center, ''University of Nebraska'', 4 December 2000. Retrieved 3 September 2007. Other positive reuses included fish habitat in private ponds and backyard
bird feeder
A birdfeeder, bird table, or tray feeder are devices placed outdoors to supply bird food to birds (bird feeding). The success of a bird feeder in attracting birds depends upon its placement and the kinds of foods offered, as different species h ...
s.
[
]
Research
Since 2004, several researchers at Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant, research university in Corvallis, Oregon. OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate-degree programs along with a variety of graduate and doctoral degrees. It has the 10th largest engineering c ...
's (OSU) College of Forestry have researched various aspects of Christmas tree cultivation. In the Department of Forest Resources, Rick Fletcher is researching Christmas tree genetics
Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms.Hartl D, Jones E (2005) It is an important branch in biology because heredity is vital to organisms' evolution. Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar wor ...
, fertilization and disease management, while Chad Landgren is concentrating his emphasis on Christmas tree genetics and disease management. Both men are doing their research in the Silviculture
Silviculture is the practice of controlling the growth, composition/structure, and quality of forests to meet values and needs, specifically timber production.
The name comes from the Latin ('forest') and ('growing'). The study of forests and wo ...
and Ecology
Ecology () is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level. Ecology overl ...
Section of the department.[Silviculture and Ecology]
, Department of Forest Resources, ''Oregon State University'' College of Forestry. Retrieved September 10, 2007. In OSU's Department of Forest Science, Mike Bondi is conducting ongoing research into Christmas tree fertilization, productivity and genetics, as well as natural and artificial regeneration systems.[Current Research of 2004]
''Oregon State University'' College of Forestry. Retrieved September 10, 2007. During the mid-1990s, the trio's research was primarily focused on creating better Christmas tree seed stock, resulting in a higher percentage of quality mature trees, through genetic improvements.[Rost, Bob]
, (Press release
A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Press releases are also considere ...
), ''Oregon State University'', News and Communications Services, December 9, 1996. Retrieved September 10, 2007. Similar research has been conducted by the Agricultural Experiment Station
An agricultural experiment station (AES) or agricultural research station (ARS) is a scientific research center that investigates difficulties and potential improvements to food production and agribusiness. Experiment station scientists work with f ...
at New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University (NMSU or NM State) is a public land-grant research university based primarily in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest public institution of higher education in New Mexico and one of the state's ...
.[Christmas Tree Research and Forest Genetics]
, Agricultural Experiment Station, ''New Mexico State University'', 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
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.[ Specialties at N.C. State cross several academic departments and range from a Christmas tree ]genetics
Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms.Hartl D, Jones E (2005) It is an important branch in biology because heredity is vital to organisms' evolution. Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar wor ...
program to providing material support for growers in areas such as sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. It can be based on an understanding of ecosystem ser ...
and pest management.[Christmas Tree Research and Extension]
", ''North Carolina State University'', Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, accessed April 16, 2007.
The Christmas Tree Research Center in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland".
Most of the population are native Eng ...
does research on Balsam fir
''Abies balsamea'' or balsam fir is a North American fir, native to most of eastern and central Canada (Newfoundland west to central Alberta) and the northeastern United States (Minnesota east to Maine, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to ...
s for Canadian producers.
Industry classification
Activities related to the cultivation of Christmas trees require cross-disciplinary (forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...
, horticulture
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...
, and agriculture
Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people t ...
) skills and fall into different specialty categories. Under the terms of Title 29 of the United States Code, which defines federal regulations pertaining to the United States Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government. It is responsible for the administration of federal laws governing occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, unemploy ...
, Christmas tree planting, tending and cutting are specifically not "farming operations".[29 CFR 780.208 - Forest and Christmas tree activities]
, Title 29, Chapter 5, Section 780.208, Code of Federal Regulations, ''United States Department of Labor''. Retrieved September 10, 2007. The U.S. Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is the United States Department of Agriculture agency that was formed by merging the farm loan portfolio and staff of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service ...
(FSA) does not provide federal crop insurance for Christmas tree crops, however, there is an alternative program, through the FSA, which provides assistance for non-insured crops.[Farm Service Agency]
,
' , Office of Communications, ''United States Department of Agriculture'', 1997, p. 4. Retrieved September 10, 2007. The U.S. Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, responsible for the Agriculture Census until 1997, excluded Christmas tree farms as farms from its reports. When the Census of Agriculture authority was shifted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of comme ...
in 1997 the differences in definition were resolved and the Census of Agriculture included Christmas tree farms.[Hoppe. Robert A. and Korb, Penni]
Farm Numbers: Largest Growing Fastest
, ( PDF file), ''Agricultural Outlook'', October 2002, pp. 24–27, ''Economic Research Service'', United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
The status of Christmas tree farms as actual, by definition, farms
A farm (also called an agricultural holding) is an area of land that is devoted primarily to agricultural processes with the primary objective of producing food and other crops; it is the basic facility in food production. The name is used fo ...
, and their products thus agricultural in nature, has evolved in the various government agencies responsible for such categorization. In both Canada, and the United States the governments take a regular Census of Agriculture, reporting in these censuses relies on the classifications.[ Beginning in 1996, the ]Canadian government
The government of Canada (french: gouvernement du Canada) is the body responsible for the federal administration of Canada. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown is the corporation sole, assuming distinct roles: the executive, as the ''Crown-in ...
included Christmas tree farms in its Census of Agriculture concerning the issue of net farm income and farm cash receipts. The changes also included the addition of egg hatcheries to the census.[ The results were marginal with net cash farm income rising just 0.1 percent.][Net Farm Income]
, Agriculture Economic Statistics, ''Statistics Canada'', May 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
In the United Kingdom, Christmas trees do not fall into the category of enterprises included in farm profits.[''HM Revenue & Customs'', ''Nurseries and Market Gardens - definition''.] Instead, Christmas tree farms are classified as "market garden
A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. The diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically from under to ...
s".[ Market gardens are defined separately from farming and are nurseries or gardens used for the sale of produce other than hops.][ However, in ]Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
, some Christmas trees are cultivated and harvested by the Forest Service.[Forest Fresh Christmas Trees]
, ''Forest Service'' (Northern Ireland), United Kingdom Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
Cultural significance
In the United States, visits to Christmas tree farms have become a Christmas holiday tradition for people. Christmas tree farms have embraced this trend; at one Minnesota tree farm it has become tradition for customers to pose for snapshots with their trees, when they return in subsequent years they can check the "wall of memories" for their photo. Other tree farms have served the same families for multiple generations, becoming a part of each group's holiday traditions.[Long, Tom]
N.H. family's donation preserves Christmas tree tradition
''The Boston Globe'', 23 August 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2007. In 2006, New York state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick H. Brennan, supported the virtues of purchasing Christmas trees from local Christmas tree farms.[Chittenden, Jessica A]
Commissioner urges consumers to buy New York Christmas trees
, (Press release
A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Press releases are also considere ...
), ''New York State Department of Agriculture'', 7 December 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2007. In a statement released to support New York Christmas tree growers he stated,
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 hot cocoa
Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is a heated drink consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and usually a sweetener like whipped cream or marshmallows. Hot chocolat ...
or cider, Santa Claus visits and holiday crafts.[Go to a Christmas tree farm to relive, make, keep memories]
, ''Tennessee.gov'', 13 November 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2007. Many tree farms actively encourage schools to sponsor field trips to the farms. One grower in Kansas contended that usual worries for businesses, such as a tight economy, do not affect Christmas tree farms.[ The grower thought that obtaining a tree from a Christmas tree farm was something that almost nothing could stop; an activity that transcended the economy and the weather.][Krug, Nick]
Tradition clashes with economy
''The Topeka Capital Journal'' (Topeka, Kansas
Topeka ( ; Kansa: ; iow, Dópikˀe, script=Latn or ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeast Kansas, in the Central U ...
), 2 December 2002, via FindArticles. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
See also
* Christmas tree production in the United States
* Energy forestry
* Festive ecology
* Forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...
* Hanukkah bush
A Hanukkah bush is a bush or tree—real or simulated—that some Jewish families in North America display in their homes for the duration of Hanukkah. It may, for all intents and purposes, be a Christmas tree with Jewish-themed ornaments. It is ...
* Holiday tree
* New Year tree
New Year trees are decorated trees similar to Christmas trees that are displayed to specifically celebrate the New Year. They should not be confused with the practice of leaving up a Christmas tree until after New Year's Day (traditionally until ...
* ''Rouse Simmons
The ''Rouse Simmons'' was a three-masted schooner famous for having sunk in a violent storm on Lake Michigan in 1912. The ship was bound for Chicago with a cargo of Christmas trees when it foundered off Two Rivers, Wisconsin, killing all on boar ...
''
* Silviculture
Silviculture is the practice of controlling the growth, composition/structure, and quality of forests to meet values and needs, specifically timber production.
The name comes from the Latin ('forest') and ('growing'). The study of forests and wo ...
* Tree farm
In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are u ...
Notes
References
* Anonymous
Tree shortage threatens Christmas
''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
''Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual'', Ohio State University. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
* Brown, James H., et al
''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''
Department of Plant Pathology. Retrieved September 7, 2007.
* Day, Eric
Insect Identification Laboratory, Department of Entomology, ''Virginia Tech'', January 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
Christmas tree
, 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
''Guardian'' (UK), December 6, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
* ''HM Revenue & Customs''
Business Income Manual
Contents
, BIM62601, 2003–2007. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
* Johnson, James E. et al
Virginia Cooperative Extension, ''Virginia Tech'', March 1997. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
* Kalkstein, Meghan
''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
''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
, ''International Herald Tribune'', December 23, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
* Schmitz, John
''The Capital Press'', June 28, 2002, via Washington State University. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
* Sidebottom, Jill R
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)
, ( 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
Christmas Trees & More, ''University of Illinois''. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
External links
Attack of the Mutant Artificial Trees
Flash
Flash, flashes, or FLASH may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Fictional aliases
* Flash (DC Comics character), several DC Comics superheroes with super speed:
** Flash (Barry Allen)
** Flash (Jay Garrick)
** Wally West, the first Kid F ...
game, from the NCTA
Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association
Canada
*
Christmas Tree Magazine
', trade publication
A trade magazine, also called a trade journal or trade paper (colloquially or disparagingly a trade rag), is a magazine or newspaper whose target audience is people who work in a particular trade or industry. The collective term for thi ...
British Christmas Tree Growers Association
Great Britain
National Christmas Tree Association
United States
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmas Tree Cultivation
Cultivation