Guidelines for Growing and Marketing Christmas Trees in New Mexico
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NewMnIco Department of Hatu,.1 RIIOUI'Cft Guidelines for December 1985 Growing and Marketing Christmas Trees In New Mexico Prepared by Forestry Division, and Department of Horticulture (Mora Research Center), New Mexico State University In cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service ==rca Guidelines for December 1985 Growing and Marketing Christmas Trees In New Mexico Prepared by Forestry Division, and Department of Horticulture (Mora Research Center), New Mexico State University In cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Toney Anaya, Governor of New Mexico Leo Griego, Secretary Department of Natural Resources Raymond R. Gallegos, State Forester Forestry Division P.O. Box 2167 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2167 Department of Horticulture (Mora Research Center) New Mexico State University U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service State and Private Forestry 517GoidSW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 • Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................... 1 Industry Trends-Market Outlook for New Mexico . 2 Characteristics of Good Christmas Trees. 3 Christmas Tree Grades. 5 Speclas for New Mexico ... 6 Site Selection. 12 Establishing a Plantation ........................................ ·· 13 How Much Land to Plant. 13 Site Preparation. .. .. .... .. ...... .. ...... ... ... .... ............. 13 Care of Planting Stock ...................................... , ... 14 Bareroot Stock.. .. ... .. .. ... ... .. ... ... ........ .... .. 14 Containerized Stock.......................................... '15 Planting the Trees. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Spacing........ ............................................... 20 Plantation Management........................................... 21 Irr1gatlon .. ......... .... ....................................... 21 Weed Control. 21 Mulching . 23 Fertilization. 23 Other Protection Problems. 23 Natural Stand Conversion. 26 Natural Stands of Pinyon Christmas Trees........................ 26 Pruning Christmas Trees. 28 Shearing? Shaping? Pruning? . 28 Pruning Objectives. 28 What Tree Shape Is Best........................................ 28 When to Start Shaping Trees. 29 Seasonal Dates for Shaping Trees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. 29 All Pines.................................................... 29 Spruces and Firs. 29 Pruning Tools.................................................. 31 How to Shape and Shear....................................... 31 Pines....................................................... 31 Scarring. 31 Spruces and Firs. 32 Stump Culture. 33 Pines.............................................. ...... ... 33 Douglas-fir and True Firs ..................................... 33 Introduction Harvesting and Marketing. • . 34 Harvesting. • . • . • . 34 Cutting...................................................... 34 Transportation. • . 34 New Mexico landowners are becoming more Interested In growing and Tree Bundling... ......... ....•. ... •.. .............. .. .. .. .•. 34 marketing Christmas trees each year. Tney see opportunities for profitable Marketing • . • • • . • . • . 35 Investment, vigorous outdoor activity, aesthetics and conservation. Plus, Wholesaling Trees......... .. ... ........ ... .. ........ .... .. .. 35 more customers are brought to the market every year. Method of Seiling Trees. • . 35 A profitable Christmas tree enterprise like any other business, requires Method and Time of Payment. • • . • . 36 considerable time and effort. The successful grower produces quality Retailing of Trees . • . • . • 36 trees, and quality trees are the result of time spent applying proper Appendix management techniques. There are several steps Involved: 1. Costs and returns per acre for Christmas Tree Production. ... .. 38 1. Species selection 2. Additional Sources of Information. • . 39 2. Plantation site selection 3. New Mexico State Laws. • . • . • . • 41 3. Site preparation and planting 4. Protection and culture Literature Cited .........••.......................•.......... '. 43 5. Harvesting and marketing 1 ----------------------~~ Industry Trends-Market Outlook for New Mexico Characteristics of Good Christmas Trees Like other thriving Industries, the growing and marketing of Christmas trees Is a dynamic process. Growers must be alert to apparent market Quality has become one of the primary factors for pricing Christmas trees. trends In order that they may more effectively control the numbers, kinds, Accordingly, the successful grower must gear his operation toward quality sizes, and quality of trees that he Is growing, or the manner In which they production. To do this, decisions In the over-all process must rest on an ':1" are being marketed. Some changes are long-term In their development ability to evaluate traits that affect the grade of a Christmas tree. and hence, predictable. Others, being more sporadic, are difficult to Christmas tree growers must know the kind of product they are trying to follow. produce. A Christmas tree plantation can earn profits If growth rate Is adequate and Christmas trees are a unique commodity because market value Is based i! mostly on sentiment aroused by seasonal festivities. Christmas trees have trees conform to shape and density standards as follows: ~. a market value as families and businesses prepare for the holiday season; (Study Figure 1 for descriptive terms) but after Christmas, cut trees lose their value. s-- Terminal Bud Cluster An earlier study has shown that here In New Mexico, quality alone Is the most Important factor In determining retail price early In the holiday season. As Christmas Day approaches, size becomes the more Important factor. Distance 88'-1 Whorls Gooseneck - In One V.... ·s Growth Popular species throughout the state and Texas (where many New Mexico produced trees are sold) Include white fir, pinyon pine, Douglas-fir, Scotch pine, blue spruce and Englemann spruce. Popularity of species varies on a regional basis. White fir has been a best seller In the Albuquerque-Santa Fe area In recent years, while Lubbock, Texas prefers Douglas-fir. Height Lateral I III I \ I \t':>.. ./ i ~.' ~ 88881 Scar Fig. 1 Christmas Tree Terminology 2 3 ------~~~,----~-, 1. A single and straight main stem, Including a well developed, but not Christmas Tree Grades excessively long leader. 2. A dense to moderately dense crown. ("Crown density" refers to the The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture compactness and amount of foliage present). has established three standard grades for Christmas trees: U.S. Premium, 3. A symmetrical cone-shaped crown. U.S. No. 1 and U.S. NO.2. Many of the desirable traits listed above are 4. The crown should be neither too broad nor too narrow In terms of Involved In the minimum requirements for the three grades or marketable ii' II height. "Taper" Is a term used to describe the width of a tree relative II trees recognized under these standards (see Table 1). Trees that fall to I to Its height. meet even minimum requirements under the standards, fall under a fourth A taper below 40 percent Is termed "candlestick" and a taper above grade, called "culls". Growers can apply grading rules as criteria for ! IE 90 percent (70 percent for species other than the pines) Is described evaluating crop quality, even though trees may not be marketed by grade. as "flaring." A taper of 40 to 90 percent for pines (40 to 70 percent .' I" for all other species) Is considered acceptable. Table 1. ~jl' 5. The tree should have good overall balance. To evaluate "balance", the U.S. Standards lor Christmas Trees I~ crown Is considered In terms of completeness of fullness on four faces Required Standards for Grada (quarters or sides) and three segments of length (bottom, middle, and Grada Denlily Taper Balance FoIlsga Deformities top). I~ U.S. Pramlum Medium Normal 4 faces free Fresh, clean, Minor only il 6. The bottom whorl of branches should be strong because this provides 4()"'90% for pines fromdamsga healthy & the optical foundation over which the rest of the crown Is developed. 40-70% other species well trimmed II II 7. The tree should have a handle sufficient In length for mounting the II U.S. No.1 Medium Normal 3 faces frea Fresh, clean, Minor only II tree In a holder (usually 1 Inch for each foot of tree height, plus a or from damage healthy & (Noticeable small allowance for sawing to obtain a fresh cut prepar.atory to U.S. Choice well trimmed deformation permitted If mounting the tree In water). The "handle" Is that part of the main trea Is stem below the bottom whorl of the branches. otherwlaa U.S. Prem.) ,It , 8. The tree should be fresh, healthy, and clean. "Fresh" needles are ' pliable and firmly attached. A "clean" tree Is practically free of U.S. No.2 Light Normal 2 adjacent Fresh, fairly Minor only undesirable foreign material. or flaring or faces free eleen, healthy (notlceabla 9. The tree should retain needles throughout the Christmas season. U.S. Standard candlestick from damage & well trimmed deformities permitted If 10. Certain miscellaneous and perhaps minor features, such as fragrance trea II and presence of cones, also enhance the tree's attractiveness. otherwlaa U.S. No.1) 40% 50% IlO% 70% IlO% 90% TAPER (WIDTH/HEIGHT) I------Normal (Pines) -------------------1 1-_____ Normal (Others) ______-1 Fig. 2. Tree shapes according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Standards of Taper 4 5 Specie. for New Mexico Choice of species to plant will depend on site conditions. availability Of