volume 3 | number 4 fall 2008

interplanting vs. block planting & fraser fraser fall 2008 great lakes christmas journal

Christmas Tree Species Profile: Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)

Bert Cregg, Michigan State University, Department of Horticulture and Department of Forestry Nick Gooch, Michigan State University, Department of Forestry

In this edition of Christmas Tree Species Profiles we turn our attention to Fraser fir (Abies fraseri), one of the most important for Christmas tree production in Michigan and the .

New markets on the horizon. Production of table-top Fraser fir Christmas at Dutchman tree farms, Manton, Michigan.

12 Production of Fraser fir in Michigan has grown rapidly in since 1994. Mid-Michigan (Lansing) is warmer during the summer and receives about half the rain-fall as the native range of Fraser fir (Boone, NC)

Fraser fir ranks in the top four leading by mild summer and winter temperatures Christmas tree species in Michigan along and frequent precipitation. Elevations in The name Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir with Colorado blue spruce (Picea pun- the Fraser fir range average around 5,000 comes from a history of several gens), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga ft above sea level with annual precipita- botanists’ reports and discoveries of the menziesii) and Scots pine (Pinus tion rates between 75 and 100 inches species. In 1787 French botanist Andre sylvestris). The ascendance of Fraser fir and summer temperatures averaging Michaux and Scottish botanist John in Michigan is impressive considering the 59°F. There are also a considerable num- Fraser set out on a journey through the species accounted for less than 3 per- ber of days (65%) with fog cover, adding Carolinas. Fraser eventually separated cent of Christmas tree acreage in a cooling effect and contributing to pre- from Michaux and later discovered an Michigan in 1994. Consumer preference cipitation totals due to fog drip. Fraser fir unknown species of fir and was later for Fraser fir is high because of its out- naturally grows in regions with shallow credited for his discovery. Frederick standing form, superior needle retention, and rocky mineral soils. These soils tend Traugott Pursh, a German botanist who blue-green to silvery-green color, and to be very acidic with a pH range of 3.8 immigrated to the United States, reported attractive scent. As a result, wholesale to 4.2. Rooting of Fraser fir is often shal- on Fraser fir in his book “A systematic prices of Fraser fir are nearly double low but may vary depending on the depth Arrangement and Description of The those of Scots pine and growers have of soil present. Within its native range of ” which was increased production of Fraser fir, largely natural stands of Fraser fir are declining published in 1813. Years later a French at the expense of Scots pine. due to infestations of balsam wooly adel- botanist Jean Louis Marie Poiret, gid. There is also concern that air pollu- described Fraser fir and other Range & Distribution tion in the southern Appalachians is con- species in a series of publications known Fraser fir is native to a small region at tributing to the species’ decline. Ecologists as Encyclopedie methodique botanique. high elevations of the Appalachian are particularly concerned with poor Within the genus Abies, Fraser fir is Mountains in southwestern Virginia, west- reproduction and seedling survival in classified in the section Balsamea, with ern , and eastern native stands, which may threaten to A. koreana,A. vetchii and A. sachalinen- . The region is characterized eliminate some populations. sis among the most closely related

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Native populations of Fraser fir in the southern Appalachians Grown out of its native range, in this case in western Oregon, are threatened by balsam wooly adelgid, air pollution, and Fraser fir may produce large cone crops at an early age. poor natural regeneration.

species. In the southern Appalachians, species profile, however Fraser fir pres- decline causing tree trees to become Fraser fir occurs in six separate popula- ents several noteworthy challenges for increasingly chlorotic. Growers can tions; Great Smokey Mountains National growers. These management challenges reduce soil pH by fertilizing with ammo- Park, Roan Mountain, Grandfather are largely related to the ecological char- nium sulfate on loamy soils; however, the Mountain, Mt. Rogers, Black Mountains, acteristics of the species based the on relative ability to affect soil pH decreases and Balsam Mountains. North Carolina relative small native range in which it has as soil texture becomes heavier. State University geneticist John Frampton evolved. As noted earlier, Fraser fir is In addition to differences in soil prop- recently completed a comprehensive adapted to growing under well-drained, erties between Michigan and western study of genetic variation in Fraser fir for acidic soils, with ample rainfall and sum- North Carolina, rainfall and temperature Christmas trees. Frampton found that mer fog. These conditions rarely occur patterns also vary between Michigan and growth and USDA Christmas tree grade simultaneously in Michigan. In order to Fraser fir’s native range. Using Lansing, MI varied not only among provenances but grow high-quality Fraser fir Christmas and Boone, NC as representative locales also among families within provenances trees, growers in Michigan need to recre- we see that mid-Michigan receives about of Fraser fir. In fact, variation in ate, as best they can, the species’ native half the rainfall of western North Christmas tree traits was greater within environment. Carolina. Also, high temperatures during provenances than between them. This is In order to successfully produce midsummer average about 4 degrees significant for the Fraser fir industry in Fraser fir, growers must have a thorough warmer in Michigan. These differences the Great Lakes region because it sug- assessment of their soils. Soil pH, soil in climate point out the need for irriga- gests genetic improvement may be possi- texture, and soil drainage are all critical tion to insure good seedling survival and ble by developing land races through to Fraser fir. MSU Forest Ecologists David maintain adequate growth of Fraser fir. selection and testing of parent trees from Rothstein and Nicholas Lisuzzo surveyed Variation in environmental conditions existing plantations, regardless of their soil properties, tree growth, foliar nutrition between Michigan and the native range geographic origins. and needle color in Fraser fir plantations of Fraser fir also underlies the problem of throughout Michigan. They determined precocious coning in Fraser fir. In its Management considerations that soil pH is the key factor limiting native environment Fraser fir, like most A complete description of manage- development of Fraser fir in Michigan. As firs, is a relatively poor cone producer. In ment of Fraser fir for Christmas tree pro- soil pH increases, uptake of elements fact, delayed flowering or poor cone pro- duction is beyond the scope of this brief such as manganese and phosphorus can duction are major bottlenecks in many

14 Although Fraser fir is not native to Michigan, it is well adapted Producing quality Fraser fir requires careful attention to site to Michigan winters. selection, pest management, irrigation, and plant nutrition.

tree improvement programs, Fraser fir consult the Christmas Tree Pest Growers also need to carefully asses the including Fraser fir in North Carolina. Manual (MSU Extension Bulletin E-2676 availability of irrigation sources if they Heavy coning of Fraser fir when grown as http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/misc/x are planning to irrigate. Pest manage- an exotic appears to be primarily related mastree/). MSU Extension Statewide ment may also become increasingly to increased water stress. For example, in Christmas Tree Educator Jill O’Donnell, challenging as chemical costs increase western Oregon, which receives less than MSU Entomology Specialist Deb and environmental regulations become 5” of rain on average from June through McCullough and Pathology Specialist more restrictive. Innovative means of August, Fraser fir produces copious Dennis Fullbright highlight current and controlling pests, including weeds, are amounts of cones in Christmas tree plan- emerging pests problems each week dur- being investigated. For example, at North tations. In Michigan, growers report that ing the growing season in the MSU Carolina State University researchers Fraser fir may produce heavy cone crops Nursery and Landscape Crop Advisory have developed an approach termed even under irrigation. This phenomenon Team (CAT) Alert newsletter ‘chemical mowing’, which uses low rates may reflect the high sensitivity of the (http://www.ipm.msu.edu/aboutcat.htm) of glyphosate to eliminate aggressive species to atmospheric drought stress as or type ‘MSU Nursery CAT Alert’ in your weeds such as grasses and promotes well as soil moisture availability. William favorite search engine. more crop-friendly weeds such as nitrogen Smith at Duke University has studied the fixing clovers. Closer to home, Dr. Pascal problem of Fraser fir seedling recruit- Future of Fraser fir Nzokou and his graduate students at ment in native stands and noted that In a relatively short time Fraser fir has MSU are examining the feasibility of Fraser fir is highly sensitive to changes in become firmly entrenched as a major cover crop management to reduce weed atmospheric humidity deficit. Christmas tree species in the Great lakes pressure and improve soil health in region. Soil factors, particularly heavy Christmas tree plantations. While sustain- Pests soils that do not drain well and are ability is quickly becoming another buzz- Fraser fir is subject to several serious resistant to changes in pH, are the largest word in some circles, it is clear that pest problems including balsam twig limiting factors for expanding Fraser fir future challenges in producing Fraser fir aphid, spruce spider mites, and phytoph- production. Growers that are considering profitably in the Great Lakes region lies thora root rot; though most are manage- growing or increasing Fraser fir produc- in managing this exotic species while able for conscientious growers. For a tion need to thoroughly assess their soils reducing inputs. comprehensive overview of pests of before initiating new plantations.

15 fraser fir fall 2008 great lakes christmas tree journal

Living Christmas trees. Graduate Research Assistant Wendy Klooster displays a container-grown Fraser fir in the MSU Pot-in-Pot Research Nursery.

“When Quality Counts”

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Bibliography suppression in North Carolina Fraser fir pro- ern and southern Appalachian system. Ecology Beck, D.E. 1990. Silvics of North America: duction. IN: Proc. 8th Int. Christmas Tree 32(1):84-103. Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. [Online] Research and Extension Conference. I.M. Reinhardt, K. and W.K. Smith. 2008. gas http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_man- Thomsen, H. Rasmussen, J.M. Sørrensen, exchange of understory spruce-fir saplings in ual/Volume_1/abies/fraseri.htm (verified August eds. University of Copenhagen, Forest and relict cloud forests, southern Appalachian 2, 2007). Landscape Working Paper No. 26. 58-59. Mountains, USA. Tree Physiology. 28:113-122. Coffey, R.K. 2007. Magnolias and Firs: The Mark, A.F. 1958. The ecology of the southern Rothstein, D.E. and N.J. Lisuzzo. 2006. John Fraser Connection [Online] Appalachian grass balds. Ecological Optimal nutrition and diagnosis for Abies http://www.appvoices.org/index.php?/site/voice Monographs 28(4). fraseri Christmas trees in Michigan. N. J. Appl. _stories/magnolias_and_firs_the_john_fraser_c Nzokou, P., N.J. Gooch, and B. M. Cregg. 2007. For. 23:106-113. onnection/issue/543 (verified 9/25/07). The “one-inch rainfall per week” rule for irriga- Frampton, J., F. Isik, and A. Braham. 2008. tion of Fraser fir. Great Lake Christmas Tree Genetic variation in the economic value of Journal 2(2):16-17 & 27-28. Fraser Christmas trees in North Carolina USA. Nzokou, P., L.A. Leefers, and D.E. Keathley. IN: Proc. 8th Int. Christmas Tree Research and 2006. Costs and returns in Michigan Christmas Extension Conference. I.M. Thomsen, H. tree production. MAES special report. Rasmussen, J.M. Sørrensen, eds. University Michigan State University, East Lansing, of Copenhagen, Forest and Landscape Michigan. Working Paper No. 26. p. 5. Oosting, H.J., and W.D. Billings. 1951. A com- Hundley, D. and J.C. Neal. 2008. Ground cover parison of virgin spruce fir forest in the north-

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