xt79319s349b https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt79319s349b/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.  journals kaes_circulars_004_542 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 542 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 542  2014 true xt79319s349b section xt79319s349b 7 0
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 Growing Christmas Trees In Kentucky
By W. E. JACKSON
‘ Most. of the Christmas trees used in Kentucky come from near,
by natural or wild growth areas. In recent years, however, many
trees of exotic—type conifer species have been shipped in front out-
side sources and have found a good market. The demand for
good quality Christmas trees has increased, and prices have risen
steadily, resulting in stinntlating interest. among Kentucky farmers
and other land owners in the possibilities of growing such trees
in plantations.
The purpose of this publication is to provide information that
may be helpful to persons who are considering the raising of
I Christmas trees as a commercial venture.
Though (lhristmas tree plantations in Kentucky are not nue
merous, they may become. under favorable circumstances, an
additional source of income for many farmers. Establishing a
plantation, however, should not be considered as a "get-rich-quick"
opportunity. lt is erroneous to believe that a good cash return
I will result automatically in 8 to lf) years after setting out a block
· of conifers and then giving little or no care during the interven
ing years.
. All things considered. the grower who profits from (lhristmas
' tree farming is usually one who sets aside a definite area of land
‘ and grows the trees with the same planning and management
that he might devote to any other well managed crop. Such a
· grower plans a rotation of trees and plants accordingly. He also
V ‘ anticipates the market needs and possibilities in disposing of his
_ crop. In other words, successful (Zhristmas tree growing requires
A a knack of “‘know—how" and attention to detail.
CHOICE OF PLANTING SITE
If possible. the plantation should be located on a north or
east exposure. although any land that is well drained and free
I from large woody vegetation will probably grow (lhristmas trees.
— 3

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(Photo: \Vest Virginian Agrieulturzrl Extension Service)
Fig. l.- Rolling sites similar to the one pictured here lend themselves to
the growing of Christmas trees.
lt neetl not be the poorest l:ntein<»· on stilts. ln this
CJ F3
ease, no particular harm is done. but the trees will need that
much more growth to reaeli a nterchantable size lyeeause the stems
must be eut above the lower dead branthes when the IYCCS are
harvested.
How tnuttb land to plant to (lltristtnas trees depends, ol: course,
on how much land ol; the right sort which the liarmer eannot.
use to better advantage. \\’hile arriving at that answer, he may
` well ask himsell these questions: llow much time and attention
can l devote to the Christmas tree project? \\’ill my markets lor
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(Photo: Pennsylvania Agricultural Extension Service) `
Fig. 3.-—A fine growth of Scotch pine on former waste lund.
trees he within a short distance lrom the plantation? \\'ill 1 likely
have much competition from other growers or from the sellers ol;
wild-growth trees?
Because a successliul (Zhristmas tree plantation is on a rotation» '
tutting system. it is necessary for the grower to estimate in ad- ‘
vance the amount ol space he will ultimately need. Of the total
area to he occupied hy trees, only ahout one-eighth or one-tenth
will he planted each year. rl`hat is hased on the assumption that “
the trees which the grower plants the first year he starts his plane .
tation will he ready for harvest S to l(l years hence. After he har- .
vests those trees he then replants the area the following spring. i
and the cycle or rotation is ready to repeat itsell`.
See pages l7 and lS ol` this circular lor inliormation on how to
estimate the numher ol trees required for a give11 area. Make
allowance lor some losses in planting and during the years up to
harvest time. .\lso. lor various reasons a few trees in each hlock V
will never grow into good. saleahle (Zhristmas trees regardless ol
the amount ol tare or pruning they may he giyen.

 1
No greater mistake it1 (lhristmas tree farming is made than
to rush into the project; blindly, plant a lot of acres to trees the
V lirst year, and then sit; back and wait lor those trees to mature.
\»\/hen they do mature, there is the pressure to harvest all trees
before they get too large and then. just when valuable experience
in harvesting and marketing has been gained, the Christmas tree
project ends because there is no Further rotation of trees growing
to replace those harvested.
SUITABLE TREE SPECIES TO PLANT
A good Christmas tree is one that is synnnetrical, with evenly
spaced branches, and sturdy enough to support decorative orna»
t ments. A decision as to species ol` trees to plant, as well as the
amount, will depend considerably upon the quality ol the soil
available, the expected local deutand lor particular species at
i Christmas time. and the extent ol; the growing operation.
Pine
It is only within a contparatively liew years that pine species
· suitable for Christmas trees have appeared on city markets in
Kentucky. Pines have the advantage of holding their needles well
. and are extremely rapid growers as compared with spruce, cedar.
_ · and other species oI’ evergreens. ()n the other hand, pines are
likely to present a too open. scraggly appearance as compared with
the tuore compact spruce. lir or cedar. becattse in all pines there
. are no little branchlets growing between the whorls ol` lateral
limbs that mark each year’s growth in height.
i For several reasons pines ttsttally can be the tuost economically
i » produced of all planted trees: (li Their hardiness enables them to
thrive on hilly. stony or poor land unsuited lor other agricul-
tural purposes: although IIIOSI pine species do best on slightly
acid soils.   They grow well in practically any climate. (fl) Most
species will tolerate soil having a low moisture content. (·l) Their
V growth is tnore rapid than that ol` any other tree used for (lhristr
tnas purposes, thereby making it possible l`or them to be marketed
sooner. (5) They rctjuire little cultivation.
As for the pines` susceptibility to insect inliestation. the sawlly
and tip—moth scent to be the most serious pests. The larvae ol` the

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Norway Spruce White Spruce
` Fig. 5.- Spruces have thick foliage and heavy branches.

 lf)
cient sunlight, they are often spiudly, open and UIIC-Si(lC(l. l·{ow—
ever, bushy, symmetrical, high quality spruce grown in plantations
will always be very tnttch in detuand as living and cut Christmas
ll`(ZL‘S. as well as for ornatnental use. They also will generally com-
mand premium prices over those received for wild-grown trees. _
Spruce will grow in all temperate climates. They require a
rich, moist soil aud normal drainage, and can be successfully V
grown in partial shade or full sunlight. The spruce species are V
slower growing than the pines.
Because tlte needles begin to shed within a few weeks after ·
cutting, spruce catmot be harvested and stored far in advance for
the (Zhristmas tree market.
Spruce also begin to lose their needles early when brought
into the house for use as a (lhristmas tree. This action can be
prevented to a degree by keeping the butt of the tree iuunersed .
in water. V
The Norway spruce is subject to attack by four pests that can
cause serious losses before the trees are ready to harvest. They are _
the white-pine weevil, spruce-gall aphid, spruce sawlly, and red
spider. _
The white—pine weevil kills back the terminal top growth, A
causing several side laterals to take its place. Pruning of the new
laterals and cutting oil` the dead terminal wood usually bring the I
tree into better shape. The dead tertninal wood should be burned.
For protection against the spruce—gall aphid, if the infestation ·`
is heavy, it is best to remove and burn the affected trees. It is _
possible to control this aphid on less infested trees by spraying at
the right time iu the spring.
Unlike the sawllies that sometimes appear in large masses on "
the Scotch and red pine. the green larvae of the spruce sawfly . l
appear singly. This insect infestation is ordinarily very light and .
can be checked with lead arsenate spray.
()n the wltole, the white spruce is less susceptible than the Nor·
way spruce to insect infestations. The danger from red spider,
however. is greater to white than to Norway spruce, but still not
usually serious enough to require the ttse of chemical sprays.

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:$_l5  VJ; ' ' ‘ 'ff ""   ' "_1l;·!·s~ T "   {Q , .• Ji   $~ ?‘ i t
1%*`{’?».  · s 1· 7*/   —  Ja lite ·».¢»`,§·‘i~;’°)<—¤» .-  x* ‘»"`  mi
Fig. 6.- Douglas fir. Fig. 7.-- Red cedar is a popular
t Christmas tree in Kentucky.
· Fir
\Vithout question, the Hr is o11e of t}1e lll()l`C desirable conilers
_1 lor Christmas trees. Trees of this species usually grow uniform
and synnnetrical in shape, having dark green foliage. Tl1e su-
perior retaining quality ol` tl1e tree’s foliage under indoor condir
li()llS is noteworthy. The lirs are short-needled and somewhat
· similar to the spruces in appearance: they are best identilied by
A ‘ their flat needles and upright cones. They prefer 111oist soil which
_ is kept cool by light shading lrom the Sllll. Large sized plantings
ol lir i11 Kentucky are not recomntended because ol` the climate,
yet1 where protected coxetype planting sites are selected tl1e tree
will grow well.
Red Cedar
This coniler species provides a very desirable type ol (1hrist—
' lll2lS tree. It is usually bushy and symmetrical ill height Zlll(l sturdy
enough to hold ornaments and decorations well. The red cedar
grows wild throughout most ol` the state and supplies most ol` the

 I2 `
. (lhristmas tree stock sold commercially or cut individually by per-
sons who get trees Irom ttear-by wild growing areas. This ready
availability ol red cedar may tend to offer lower price competition
in the market to varieties ol` (lhristmas tree conilier species grown .
in nursery and plantation. liven though the ready availability ol
a wild supply may cattse serious competition. many present-day ‘
market growers oli (Ihristmas trees are including the red cedar in ·
their production plans as a species well worth propagating. _
‘ Mixed Species
.\ mixture ol` coniler species planted in plantation bloelas or
in separate rows in the satire plantation is desirable, especially
where the growing project is a small one. \\’ith a variety to offer
on the market. additional sales may resttlt. .-\lso. dillierent species
have dillerent rates of growth. making it possible to harvest a
larger variety ol` choice individttals I`rom the satne plantation. .\
planting ol` 70 percent pine. 25 percent spruce and 5 percent Iir -
and cedar. depending on the soil and climatic conditions. is
rectrmmended.
Tree Species Listed As T0 Desirubility Within c
Their Group
PINE °
Scotch l’ine—\\`iIl grow itt poor soil. l·`ast growing. Requires little .
prttning to develop into a symmetrical. thick. bttshy speci-
men. _ _
.a\ustrian Pine-Needs a rich. light loam with a well—drained sttbr —
soil. A
Red Pine- Ihrives in poor soil: needs sunlight. n ·
\\'hite I’ine—l’rel`crs light. sandy soil.
Virginia I’ine—\\'ill grow in poor soil. I·`ast growing. Retptires
little pruning.
SPRUCE
Norwav Spruce—(Qrows best on tnoist. well-tlraincd. porotts soils.
\\'hite Spruce—(Qrows best ott moist. well»draincd. porotts soils. ‘
Black Hill Sprttce—(Qrows best on moist. well-drained. porotts soils. `

 13
FIR
Douglas Fir—Grows well in medium. fertile soil.
Balsam Fir—Prefers a medium-to»heavy soil: thrives in light shade.
RED CEDAR
· One conifer species that desires and grows well on limestone
· soil. \tVill grow in medium and poor soil. Requires little
pruning.
The rate of growth of the trees listed above is determined
chiefly by the quality of the soil. Good soil, having the proper
amount of moisture will grow good trees nearly twice as fast as
poor, dry soil.
SOURCE OF PLANTING STOCK
The nurseries of the Department of Conservation, Division of
Forestry, Frankfort, Kentucky, supply planting stock of red cedar
and one or more species of pine. \Vhile this stock is mainly grown
for forestry planting in the state, it may be adapted for Christ-
mas tree growing. If so, the Department of Conservation has
· ruled that each tree must be harvested for (Ihristmas use by
. severing it from its stem and not by digging up the tree with its
roots so as to provide a living tree specimen to market in competi»
tion with those trees grown by commercial, ornamental tree nur—
i series. Order forms for use in securing the above type trees may
be obtained from your County .»\gricultural Agent, or from the
Extension Specialist in Forestry, Department of Horticulture.
_ University of Kentucky, Lexington.
. Christmas tree growers may also purchase planting stock from
` commercial tree nurseries that make a specialty of raising conifer
` . seedling and transplant stock to supply the Christmas tree-grow»
ing trade. For more information about commercial sources of
tree supply, write to the lixtension Specialist in Forestry (address
given above).
Trees grown in a nursery are classified as being seedlings or
‘ transplants. A seedling is a tree which has grown in a seedbed
until it is ready to be removed to a permanent planting site or be
transplanted in the imrsery for additional growth. Seedlings are
. usually one. two or three years old when dug. depending on
species.

 I4
.»\ transplant is a tree which has been grown i11 a seedbed for
one or tnore years, then removed to another place in the nursery
where it retuaius for further growth (this may oceur one or more
titties) before being lifted and planted permanently. Because of
the extra labor expended in their culture. transplants cost more
than seedlittg trees attd should be used where planting site condi-
tions are very unfavorable, sueh as in extra heavy sod or where
overtopping weeds and brush wottld shade out younger or less
hardier seedling plants. `
Nursery age classes are designated aeeording to the following
manner: '
Seedlings. l-lt. 2-ll, II-(I. et<·.. signiliying that the trees are 1. 2
or Il years of age and have Iltnl been transplanted from the ori-
ginal seedbed.
Transplants. l-l. l-2, l-Il. or 2-l. 2-2. designating by the first
figure the age ol the seedling before it was transplanted from the ‘
seedbed and by the seeond figure the tmtnber of years the tree has '
been in the transplant location.
(Qenerally speaking, it is reeommeuded that the (lhristmas tree
grower use transplant stock, either 2-I or 2-2. The extra amount
paid for the sturdier, heavier rooted. trattsplanted stock ean well -
be afforded in view of the tptiel; returns in growth that can be _ -
expected, as eotnpared with the growth resulting from slower ,
maturing seedling stoela. As previously ttoted. it is especially de-
sirable to use transplant stoel; where existing vegetation on the
site ollers serious eompetitiou to the stnall trees. i
PREPARATION OF THE PLANTING SITE
In most eases. no preparation of the soil before planting is i
tteeded. 'l`he added expense is usually not justified, and often a ·
light growth ol grass and weeds is sometimes beneficial to the ’
growth of young trees when planted on exposed hill sites since it
oflers shade and moisture retention during the early stages of the
plantation. ll one itnends to cultivate the trees after planting
tthis measure is somewhat debatable unless necessary as an aid to
fire preyetnioni. he will need to plow the site before the trees
are Set.

 #15
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Fig. 8.- Plow furrows, 6 feet apart, running with the contour of the site,
are a good means of laying out rows for Christmas trees. Rows of this
type help to keep back weed growth and provide a means of catching and
_ holding water.
Deep. single»plow lurrows are excellent aids in planting, the
trees being set in the middle ol the lurrows and the loose dirt
· thrown out by the plow share pulled in and well lirmcd around
the tree roots. lf. owing to hard soil conditions. it is necessary to
deepen the planting spots in the lurrow. a grubbing hoe should
be used. Plow [urrows. especially when used on a very fertile soil
site, besides acting as a planting row guide. serve to keep grass
- and tall-growing weeds away liront the little trees lor at least tw0
» years, or until they become better established. Furrows also serve
to collect and hold soil moisture. Such plow lurrow rows should
always be run i11 line with the contour