Flat or concave areas are particularly subject to slow water drainage. Several planting methods have been used successfully, depending on the planting site. However, security can be augmented at easy-access sites and generally should not be a primary factor in rejecting a site. If you have less rainfall, plan to irrigate the tree. Remove the roots of the seedling from its pot or other wrappings. Nitrogen and potash fertilizer should be used sparingly the first year. N.C. Table 2. When watering, water to a depth of at least 12 inches to encourage the tree to form a deep root system. Are there weeds on the site that indicate periodic water saturation, such as swamp grass or rushes? No planting should be attempted when surface soils are too dry, too wet, or frozen. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The soil should be tested for nutrient deficiencies before seed sowing. 0000613598 00000 n Immediately after sowing the seed, the surface of the bed should be rolled or pressed to ensure firm contact of the seed with the soil. 0000021127 00000 n While fall planting can be successful, most Christmas trees are planted in early spring (Table 1). Site preparation might involve pushing stumps and rocks, raking roots, and smoothing the ground with a bulldozer. Is there ever standing water on the site after a rain? Machine planting of trees is often preferred to planting by hand.
To keep trees in-line and uniformly spaced, many growers stretch a string to mark off each row as it is being planted. They are winter hardy as far north as USDA Zone 4, although the climate must also be moist and not subject to constant, desiccating winds. One of the important functions of phosphorus fertilization is to lessen transplant shock. Are there areas that are too rocky, wet, or steep to plant? Some growers establish sown groundcovers between their trees, because it can be managed more uniformly and easily with less herbicide than the native weed growth. They also have the advantage of retaining the soft texture of their needles after they are cut so that they dont prick your fingers as you hang ornaments.
Above elevations of 3,000 feet, the seedlings do best under 30 percent shade the first year and no shade the second year. The choice of Christmas tree species to be grown is largely governed by geographic region and climate. 0000029192 00000 n Both of these factors influence microclimate and, to a large extent, the characteristics of the soil at a given location. Successful harvest of Christmas trees from any plantation is largely determined by the decisions made during this establishment phase. Fraser fir trees grow naturally into the perfect pyramid shape associated with so many evergreen trees. Forests, abandoned fields, and pastures each need different operations to be readied for planting. trailer <]>> startxref 0 %%EOF 81 0 obj <>stream Choose a site in full sun to partial shade, although Fraser fir trees do best in full sun. %PDF-1.6 % Soils on south-facing slopes will be drier than those on adjacent north- or east-facing slopes. This spacing facilitates spray applications from the road. (Optional) Spacing trees the proper distance is very important to growing quality trees. Using large equipment for site preparation is efficient but is not suitable for all areas. Have you ever thought of growing one as a landscape tree? In other situations, trees and emerged weeds can be oversprayed with a post-emergent herbicide after planting. However, using post hole diggers in clay soils can be difficult, and can result in a sealed hole, which results in trees becoming pot-bound. For very rough, steep, or erodible land, hand planting may be the only practical choice. Trees should be carried from package to planting site in a bucket, planting bag, or tray with damp moss covering the roots. Choose a location with plenty of bright sunlight most of the day and soil that is rich and moist. Correct spacing varies by species, intended tree size, and amount of mechanization. 0000003311 00000 n ;;`_%PSzlCSoeZi{uS~>y~H6}:YzE$P5At7Jn8- T|M=}K>& 4WW6p.5*[ze(`}xs}3jwdd{C|zl{u5{_BO&e1_xLj7= Zp:U[~ hkIk")Z33`. Z Poh eT51jaId uDH0HpI:' 4990tad4d+-cX'3CEJ&bc3MGZQ Lcir3`('P 0000039338 00000 n They are widely grown on farms for use as Christmas trees. 0000024302 00000 n Firm the surface of the soil with your foot, using gentle but firm pressure. Careful planning and layout of fields and farm roads can reduce pest management and harvesting costs. Beds are usually elevated 6 to 8 inches above the aisles. Unless the soil is in tillable condition, seedling roots can not be properly packed. Backfill the hole with the improved soil. For a majority of low-grade trees, however, a cull remains a cull. Root-pruning can reduce the incidence of J-rooting or U-rooting that occurs when planting too large a seedling into too small a hole. Ideally, planting stock should have as much volume in the roots as in the top and never exceed a two-to-one ratio of top to roots. Planting time is an excellent opportunity to remove cull trees. The prevailing slope may be severe enough to impede cultural management. It would be better to dig a deeper hole than to cut off too many roots. In purchasing seed for seedling production, be sure to deal with a reputable firm that guarantees seed source origin. A late summer application of potassium, not exceeding soil test recommendations, will speed the process of seedling dormancy in some species. However, after 2 or 3 years in a seedbed, firs and spruces need to be transplanted to a line-out bed for 2 years. Dont expect it to thrive in the southernmost parts of zone 7 if you have high heat and humidity in summer. If heavy rains occur before new groundcover becomes established, severe site damage and loss of valuable topsoil may result. Establishing a Christmas tree plantation begins with selection of species and site and includes site preparation and planting.
Water in the new seedling so that the soil is thoroughly moistened to the depth of the roots. Transplant beds require well-drained soils and raised-bed construction similar to seedbeds. If a root rot disease is the cause of death, replants of the same species are as likely to die as the initial planting. The same thing that connects it to every corner of North Carolina: NC State Extension. Even with ideal conditions, most growers expect to lose 1 or 2 percent of their trees the first year. Trees should be protected from direct sunlight at all times. 3 0 obj
It is possible to grow your own seedlings and transplants or even to develop seedling transplant production into a full-scale enterprise. Fraser fir trees can also be planted in the center row of a windbreak so that the outer rows of trees and shrubs provide some protection from harsh winds. Seedbeds should be fertilized according to the specific needs of the species grown and recommendations from the soil test. An alternative is to personally collect the seed from native stands. Some species require the mountain climate. Harvesting must be accomplished in a variety of weather conditions. Often, initial land clearing is completed the year before planting to allow time for site preparation. A potential Christmas tree grower must carefully weigh the growing requirements and business aspects of each species. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Root-pruning should target only the excessively long roots, as severe root-pruning can reduce plant survival. 0000002738 00000 n
When hand planting, trees should be removed from the container one at a time as each hole is dug. Roads through and around the field should be marked off, necessary drainage culverts installed, and grading accomplished prior to planting. Most hand planting is done with planting bars or spades. 
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If transplanting by hand, a transplant board and a trenching tool will speed the effort. endobj
Make a saucer-shaped depression of the planting site so that it slopes toward the seedling. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. For security, the best location is at the end of a dead-end road with no other access. If establishment stress is compounded by insects, disease, poor weather conditions, or by poor planting technique, much higher losses can occur. Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. Occupied dwellings with a good view of the plantation can reduce the potential for theft. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. This website is designed as a one-stop-shop to provide comprehensive information to growers, retailers, consumers, and anyone else interested in Christmas trees in North Carolina. A number of private nurseries grow and sell seedlings or transplants (also called liners) suitable for Christmas trees. 0000613970 00000 n
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A grower should inspect the soil conditions on potential sites. Generally, tillage techniques are only used when there are fertility, drainage, compaction, or some combination of these problems on site. For a very small seedling (less than 12 inches high), use a hand watering can. xZ}WBP3/s Y;`Dc:1 $9z8%D8SU}kb
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c Hardwood sprouts, vines, and briars are easier to control without the complication of newly planted trees. If dormant seedlings are to be field-planted within 4 weeks after they are received, they can generally be stored in the shipping package. Achieving a perfectly smooth field can have a cost in soil compaction. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>
Backfill the hole, gently firming down the soil as you go to remove any pockets of air around the roots. 0000599401 00000 n
0000622314 00000 n The tree prefers summer temperatures around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 C.). v:= muY,e: M3 t|UTe!fXt%E"L% *pBm=f2' p|>57-zXi<5P.i7Xmqw}GpLNPP~ :, ytVhfntzp1{wm xhtF )K**/T@o#: g`1^xa. Many growers root-dip their transplants in a water-retaining planting gel. Intermediate techniques involve the use of dynamite or a backhoe to lift stumps from the ground without scraping topsoil away. Read on for tips on Fraser fir tree care.
Programs at NC State University emphasize the safe, sustainable, and profitable production of Christmas trees through research and extension programing. Tillage should be completed in the fall or early enough in the spring to allow soil to settle prior to planting. Some growers like to leave wider areas in the roads at strategic locations for work centers and collection points in harvesting. It also minimizes the distance trees have to be carried during harvest. Planting should be delayed if adverse conditions are likely to reduce either the quality of planting or later survival. The fields should be periodically scouted to check for problem weeds, such as vines, that can quickly escape control. Pines and redcedar usually grow enough for field planting directly from the seedbed. NC State Extension is the largest outreach program at NC State University. 0000095678 00000 n
Bury the stem of the young tree up to its bottommost branches. On sloping land, some growers are reluctant to tear up established weeds or sod for fear of accelerated erosion. Carefully put the roots of the seedling into the prepared hole. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Regular road maintenance and sod renewal pay off when roads must be used during unfavorable weather. Sharon Sweeny has a college degree in general studies and worked as an administrative and legal assistant for 20 years before becoming a professional writer in 2008. Learn More About NC State Extension, We have several topic based email newsletters that are sent out periodically when we have new information to share. 0000010240 00000 n
Dig a planting hole in the improved soil that is about twice the size of the root ball of the Fraser fir seedling that you are planting. Seedbeds should be covered with to 1 inch of pine straw, composted sawdust, hardwood bark, peat moss, or other organic material. Seedbeds can be prepared in the fall or spring. Send Explanation. There must be adequate expenditure of time, labor, and materials in developing the layout of the area and preparing the site. Working hand-in-hand with our partners at N.C. A&T and 101 local governments, we conduct groundbreaking research that addresses real-world issues in communities across the state. Obviously, creeks and intermittent streams should be noted, as well as drainage ditches or culverts above the area. Edge-effect areas make excellent roads and equipment turn-arounds. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen. Topography may restrict the use of mechanization. 0000001216 00000 n
Remove the roots of the seedling from its pot or other wrappings. Under wet soil conditions, soil is likely to be compacted during planting, aggravating soil drainage problems. 0000598635 00000 n
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Soils are often dryer and easier to work in the fall and there is more time to allow for potential delays. If a grower plans to mow regularly with a tractor or walk-behind mower, smooth land is a necessity. 
