Christmas Tree Care Calendar

Confirm seedling supply and timeline with nursery
Machinery maintenance and parts supply
Basal prune trees that are three years old. (Four reasons to do this: a) To create a handle for the tree stand when harvested, b) To make it easier to manage weeds and/or apply herbicide without contacting foliage, c) To increase air flow in the plantation, which reduces the incidence of fungal infections, d) Basal-pruned trees are more appealing to the public and easier for customers to cut with a saw. Basal pruning in winter is preferable to spring or summer basal pruning as it reduces the potential for insects or diseases to have a portal to the tree).

Spray dormant oil (no precipitation or frost for at least one day afterwards)
Adjust pH based on a soil test. (Coastal areas tend to be acidic, requiring lime)

Soil preparation once field is dry enough
Seedlings arrive
Line out field and plant seedlings. Ensure sufficient depth and check for j-root. Planting may be delayed in areas with a high water table.

Fertilize established plantations. Do not use fertilizer on newly-planted seedlings unless directed by a professional (Roots tend to burn easily)
Weed plantation or apply a recommended herbicide. Use a guard to eliminate contact with foliage.
Apply Altus insecticide if you see signs of BWA in your plantation (especially in Subalpine fir and Fraser fir). Altus has recently been approved by Agriculture Canada (2020)

Monitor new growth on trees for fungal infections, rusts or insects such as aphids and midges.
Apply Daconil on Douglas fir (to prevent needle cast in the fall/winter) and on Noble fir (to protect against interior needle blight). Repeat application in two to three weeks. The active ingredient in Daconil is chlorothalonil. Incidentally, since Daconil is a fungicide, it is also effective in controlling toadstools and mushrooms that infest lawns. It is licensed for this purpose as well.
Weed control/mow inter-row
Remove any cones forming on your conifers, especially in Fraser fir. It is easily done at this stage and it prevents an unsightly mess that shows up in the fall.

Monitor trees for diseases, including aphids & mites (you’ll need a magnifying glass for this last one)
Second application of Daconil on Douglas and Noble.
Second application of fertilizer (slow release)
Eliminate alternating hosts for rusts (esp. bracken fern and cottonwood)

Weed control
Monitor tree health including irrigation needs & insects. Treat accordingly
Flag trees containing wasp nests. Identify nests in the ground for safety. (Use a different colour than the colour you use for tying up leaders. Point out these trees to anyone working in the field).
Late July – begin shearing trees. (Note: some growers advocate waiting until September to leader-prune; others don’t)

Still a good month to shear
Fall is a good time to take a soil sample for testing
Firm up any wholesale tree sales or purchases
Order seedlings from supplier
Late September or early October is a good time to apply glyphosate to knock back competing grasses and especially a good time to combat blackberry vines growing in your trees

Winterize machinery, especially anything with pumps
Remove any physical hazards in your field before the public arrives: sharp machinery, holes, etc.

Set up retail lot
Cull out diseased trees, especially trees infected with BWA. Burn culls or remove from growing site. (Note: Some growers leave the culled Fraser fir with BWA on the ground for 2 weeks so that the insects die inside the tree before being moved. In any case, don’t drag or allow culls to contact unaffected trees)

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