What, How, and Why
SPECIES. We have experimented with many species. Below are the successful ones.
POLLARDING (regrowth from living stumps, after you cut.).
https://modernfarmer.com/2022/12/stump-culture-christmas-tree/
WEED, PEST, and DISEASE CONTROL.
Our practices would almost qualify for Certified Organic status. Unlike many big commercial growers, we have never used pesticide, and we keep our herbicide use to a minimum - using it only where a weed directly threatens a tree. We do this in spring before flowers come out, so as to protect pollinators. We let milkweeds thrive July - September to provide sustenance for the Monarch Butterflies. We are now mixing species in the rows to prevent the spread of disease and pests.
SEE PHOTO GALLERIES BELOW.
WHY REAL TREES are BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/researchers-share-benefits-of-real-christmas-trees-tips-for-care
https://www.vice.com/en/article/real-christmas-trees-better-planet-fake-ones/
https://www.nature.org/en-us/magazine/magazine-articles/forest-carbon-101/
- White Spruce: Short needles, strong limbs, pleasant fragrance, color variation.
- Norway Spruce: Short needles, strong limbs, pleasant fragrance.
- Balsam Fir: Short needles, flexible limbs, strongest fragrance.
- Meyer Spruce: Medium-length needles, more prickly, unique color, much like Blue Spruce.
POLLARDING (regrowth from living stumps, after you cut.).
- Makes it easier and more comfortable for you to cut.
- Maintains greenery close to ground for small wildlife habitat. Small birds love to nest in the extra-thick growth on pollard stumps.
- Shades the ground around the stump to minimize weed growth.
- Grows a new tree several years faster than a planted seedling because the stump's roots are established, and the higher pollard tree gets more sunlight.
- Saves us time, effort, and fuel that we'd otherwise use in planting and mowing.
- Provides stump branches that protect the main tree from antler rubbing and Bambi snacking.
- Allows us to replace each tree in a shorter time.
- Allows sunlight to feed the stump limbs while allowing the upper tree to ventilate, which reduces fungus and moss growth.
- Keeps the Oxygen-Production and Carbon Sequestration continuous because there will always be greenery doing its job - the stump does not die.
- Keeps our prices competitive for all the reasons above.
https://modernfarmer.com/2022/12/stump-culture-christmas-tree/
WEED, PEST, and DISEASE CONTROL.
Our practices would almost qualify for Certified Organic status. Unlike many big commercial growers, we have never used pesticide, and we keep our herbicide use to a minimum - using it only where a weed directly threatens a tree. We do this in spring before flowers come out, so as to protect pollinators. We let milkweeds thrive July - September to provide sustenance for the Monarch Butterflies. We are now mixing species in the rows to prevent the spread of disease and pests.
SEE PHOTO GALLERIES BELOW.
WHY REAL TREES are BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/researchers-share-benefits-of-real-christmas-trees-tips-for-care
https://www.vice.com/en/article/real-christmas-trees-better-planet-fake-ones/
https://www.nature.org/en-us/magazine/magazine-articles/forest-carbon-101/
