Christmas Tree Care Calendar
January:
- Confirm seedling delivery date.
- Complete machinery maintenance and repairs
- 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 easier for customers to cut with a saw.
- Basal pruning in winter is preferable to spring or summer as it reduces the potential for insects or diseases to have a portal to the tree.
February:
- 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)
March:
- Soil preparation and seed a low growing grass seed prior to planting for weed control
- Line out field and prepare for planting once seedlings have thawed thoroughly
- A grid of 6’ x 5’ enables the planting of approximately 1400 seedlings per acre
- Straight rows are essential to allow for mowing and herbicide applications with a narrow tractor or mower
- Plant the same species in each block as species mature at different rates and may require different care
- There are slow-release tea bag fertilizers formulated for seedlings available from Industry Suppliers
- Ensure sufficient depth for bareroot seedlings so as not to allow j-root to occur
April:
- Order seedlings from seedling supplier for delivery next year. Generally, 1000 or more garners the best price
- Fertilize established plantations after soil testing to determine what nutrients are lacking.
- Weed plantation or apply a recommended herbicide and be careful not to contact 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)
May:
- 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) and 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 or mow inter-row
- Remove any cones forming on your conifers, especially on Fraser fir. It is easily done at this stage and it prevents an unsightly mess that shows up in the fall.
June:
- 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)
July:
- Weed control or mow inter-row
- Monitor tree health and insects and treat accordingly
- Irrigate generally every 2nd day or as required but not in the heat of the day. Do not over water.
- Flag trees containing wasp nests which are generally located in the ground and alert workers.
- Late July – begin shearing trees. (Note: some growers advocate waiting until September to leader-prune; others don’t)
August:
- Continue with shearing
- Monitor trees for drought stress and irrigate if necessary
- Attend the BCCTA Field Day and Conference
September:
- 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
- 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
October:
- Winterize machinery, especially anything with pumps and drain irrigation lines
- Remove any physical hazards in your field before the public arrives ie: sharp machinery, holes, etc.
November:
- 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)
December:
- Sales and hospitality
- Enjoy some family time
