- Association January 2008 2007 Sales Season Reports Special points At press time, the National on Maine’s tree farms and road- of interest: Association had side stands, for many companies yet to release its official sales esti- the mail order service thrived. mates for the 2007 season which ‘More and more local people are Winter Meeting Reminder: just ended. The group had pre- getting the idea of ordering a The NHVTCTA will be held Tuesday, dicted a slight increase in the sale wreath or tree for friends or rela- Jan. 29, at the Canadian Club in Barre, of real Christmas trees nation- tives that have Maine roots,’ said Vt.You can sign-up the day of the wide, with total sales expected to Jim Corliss of Piper Mountain meeting. Call Executive Director Jim run about $1.4 billion. Christmas Tree Farm.” Horst at (802) 447-1900 for more Anecdotal information shows In Framingham, Mass., the information. that, in general, growers in New Metro West Daily News reported England saw strong demand. that, “Across the region, sales New Members: The Times Argus were brisk, despite rising energy The NHVTCTA welcomes seven new (Montpelier, Vt.) reported that, costs that translated into price members this year: Lynn Lipkvich with cold weather and record increases for tree customers.” (Brookfield,Vt.), Jay Wilson (Newfane, December snowfalls, tree stands Further south, severe Vt.), Jim Kasen (Hallstead, Pa.), Real were experiencing brisk business, drought conditions in hurt Christmas trees Mongeau (Auburn, N.H.), Joe Starzyk- and several in that area even had shortages of trees. during last year’s growing season, Riverside Enterprises (Troy, N.Y.), In Maine, the Bangor Daily and subsequently sales were Rene Bergeron (Weathersfield,Vt.), News cited both bad news and reported off in that state. and John Pasterczyk (Foster, R.I.). good news for growers in that For more Christmas tree state: “While sales dipped slightly news reports, see page 4.

Summer Meeting in Massachusetts Inside this issue: The NHVTCTA has accepted Friday, June 27 (Day 1) Sales season 1 the invitation of the 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Massachusetts Christmas Tree Registration, group tour or Summer meeting news 1 Association (www.christmas- self-guided tour of the farm. trees.org) to participate 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. President’s Message 2 in its 50th Anniversary Welcome - Introduction of Meeting, in association Leab family (hosts) and Association contact information 2 with the New England their history and their Christmas Tree transition in agriculture Christmas Trees in the news 4 Alliance Biennial Conference. from dairy to the present Four This gathering will take the Season Agribusiness of Ioka farm Nordmann Fir Research 6 place of the NHVTCTA’s normal 10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. June meeting. - A. Eric Sundback, Trading Post 9 You will receive registration Renowned WVA Christmas Tree information in the mail at a later Grower, three-time National Penn State Short Course 9 date, but following is a brief look Grand Champion Christmas tree at the agenda for the two-day genetics and shearing techniques Trees for Troops 12 meeting (June 26-28), which will - B. Gloria Ellsworth, MCTA be hosted by Ioka Valley Farm, member, Workshop – Should I Editor’s Desk 14 Hancock, Mass. (the farm’s Web buy it or make it? site is www.taconic.net/iokavalley- farm). continued on page 10 Please plan to attend. PAGE 2 JANUARY 2008 President’s Message

Hello Everyone and Happy very far from established roads recycled without harming the New Year! and paths. No doubt most of you environment. First, it's an honor to be have similar stories for this year, That is the main debate we elected president of an organiza- and like us, will try to plan a lit- can take to potential customers, tion with such a knowledgeable tle better for whatever happens and particularly younger folks, membership…there are many of next year. who are thinking of buying a fake you who should be future That said, we had mostly plastic tree. Presidents! fun, we increased our sales and, The National Christmas Tree The just completed selling in talking to other members, once Association has lots of informa- season was a challenge for many again this year most of us sold all tion about that particular debate of us in the snowy region. As a the trees we wanted to. and many other things to help us mail order shipper, we had to Why did we have fun? on its Web site. Think seriously warm trees to get the snow and Because we love what we do, and about becoming a member of ice off them before putting them what we do with our farms is to National. in boxes for shipping. provide a truly ecologically friend- I urge all of you to make one On most days, even brush ly product to families and individ- more trip out in the snow to cut a had to be thawed before making uals on the most special day of tree and or make a wreath and wreaths or ! I got a call the year. bring it/them to the Vermont from a wholesale customer after This subject will be one of Farm Show on your way to our dark on a night just before it my “platform issues” during my Winter Meeting in Barre. snowed a foot. What fun cutting term as president of the associa- Bring some good ideas and trees the next morning. (I’m glad tion. stories to the meeting. See you they only wanted 40 trees; I Real Christmas trees are a there! couldn't imagine cutting several renewable resource that are hundred as some of you no doubt planted, are made in the USA Rich Rockwood, had to!) (not China), are 100% biodegrad- President And once the snow was deep, able, contain no lead or PVC's, choose and cutters didn't stray absorb carbon dioxide, and can be

New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association

Contact Information 2008 Officers Jim Horst, Executive Secretary President Rich Rockwood (802) 685-4343 569 Pleasant Valley Road Vice President Jay Weir (603) 237-8617 Recording Secretary Carolyn Page (603) 664-2934 Bennington,VT 05201-9637 Executive Secretary/Treas. Jim Horst (802) 447-1900 Phone: (802) 447-1900 Past President Mike Ahern (603) 536-2334 E-mail: [email protected] Association Website: www.nh-vtchristmastree.org 2008 Directors (Term Ends) Dan Beloin (603) 237-8633 (2009) For matters related to Tree Line only: Mike Godzyk (603) 237-5702 (2010) Patrick White, Editor Ben Hoyt (603) 838-6403 (2010) NHVTCTA Tree Line Phil Kivlin (802) 897-8031 (2008) 18 Merritt Road Tom Lang (802) 223-7028 (2009) Middlesex,VT 05602 Nigel Manley (603) 444-6228 (2008) Phone: (802) 223-3880 Bill Nichols (603) 353-4832 (2008) E-mail: [email protected] Gordon Page (603) 664-2934 (2009) Rich Rockwood (802) 685-4343 (2009) Mary Lou Schmidt (802) 257-0233 (2010) 2008 Tree Line Publication Schedule Bob White (802) 899-4924 (2008) Patrick White (802) 223-7372 (2010) Issue Ad/Submission Deadline January December 22 Alternate Directors June May 16 Russell Reay (VT) (802) 492-3323 (2008) September August 22 Jay Weir (NH) (603) 237-8617 (2008)

PAGE 4 JANUARY 2008 Christmas Trees in the News: Predictably, Christmas trees on campus,” said school Scotia’s Kirk Forest Products, were the focus of many news President Mike. Nietzel. out of business. “That put the reports during the holiday season. Courts have ruled dagger to the heart," said the Tracking these stories provides Christmas trees are secular sym- company's founder, Rick Kirk, some look at trends/issues/oppor- bols if they do not bear religious who is shipping about 250,000 tunites/threats facing growers. decorations. trees, most of them to the U.S., Here’s a brief sampling of some of Source: NBC 3 Springfield, Mo. in his company’s final holiday what was covered. season. “We know that the mar- Canadian Competition ket is going to be squeezed year Religious Removal The drooping value of the after year.” “Missouri State University U.S. dollar means Canadian More than half of Canada’s administrators decided Thursday Christmas tree growers are see- Christmas trees are shipped to morning to put a Christmas tree ing less green this season. the U.S., but the figure has back in the lobby of Strong Hall, Canadian Christmas tree grow- dropped by about 20 percent, to along with other religious holiday ers have seen their U.S. sales about 2 million trees, since 2002. symbols. A department head decline in recent years because of Source: Associated Press removed the 20-foot tree on increasing costs and competition Monday after a faculty member from U.S. growers. But it’s their Plastic Trees who is Jewish complained that it own currency that’s causing A battle is being waged for was insensitive to other religions. them the most grief these days. the heart of the American “After having had a chance Compared to the U.S. green- Christmas tree customer, pitting to air this out a bit more and con- back, the Canadian dollar is 15 the real evergreen against the sider the various perspectives of percent higher in value than it once-lowly artificial tree. Last our campus community, I am was at the beginning of the year. year, an estimated 9.3 million happy that the Christmas tree The situation is blamed for artificial trees were sold in the will be back up along with the driving Canada’s largest United States, up 2 million from many others that were already Christmas tree grower, Nova continued on page 8

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PAGE 6 JANUARY 2008 Research Report: Nordmann fir El Dorado County Christmas growth and strong branches are tree grower Randy Rapetti ideal for ornament display, believes he may have been the Rapetti said. first farmer in to plant Perhaps more importantly,

Nordmann fir Christmas trees a the exotic trees may be resistant University of California few years ago, but the conifer is to the insects and diseases that already showing great potential plague native Christmas trees, to brighten the holiday season for such as spider mites, aphids and Californians who enjoy visiting root rot. Rapetti’s Nordmanns, choose-and-cut Christmas tree planted in 2000, have required no farms. pesticide treatments to date. Nordmann fir, native to Rapetti works closely with Caucasus Mountains of Turkey University of California and the Republic of Georgia, have Cooperative Extension farm advi- Lynn Wunderlich with Nordmann fir Christmas trees. a richer color than the much sor Lynn Wunderlich, who is more common native species – coordinating Christmas tree Christmas tree pest problems such as Douglas and red fir – research in El Dorado and when she was hired in 2000. She which make up the bulk of Amador counties. soon learned that there is wide Christmas trees on Sierra foothill An entomologist by training, genetic variability even within tree farms. The Nordmann’s open Wunderlich began by studying the species. Some of the new trees are resistant to local insect and disease problems, while oth- ers of the same species are not. Wunderlich is now evaluat- ing the susceptibility of 12 sources of Nordmann and anoth- er exotic tree, Turkish fir, under naturally infested field conditions on Sierra foothill tree farms. Turkish fir looks the same as the Nordmann to the untrained eye. At close inspection, the Turkish can be distinguished by a tiny droplet of wax at the end of the needles. “The Christmas trees vary by provenance, which is their original area of origin, and proge- ny, seed collected from specific mother trees,” Wunderlich said. “We want to look at these trees’ potential resistance to Phytophthora cinnamoni root rot, a disease that impacts white and red fir trees growing here. It looks like the Nordmann and Black Hill Turkish firs have some natural resistance.” Blue balsam “The Nordmanns grow slow- ly when they’re first transplanted Sheet harbor balsam Meyer from the nursery,” Wunderlich said. “It seems its roots don’t like to be cut. But in time, the trees are catching up.” Wunderlich said another issue of concern with the Nordmann is very long “leader growth.”

PAGE 8 JANUARY 2008 Christmas Trees in the News continued from page 4 live tree that can be planted once the ground thaws. five years ago. And while the real Kim Peterson, the global tree harvest was triple that, the warming project manager for the numbers are of major concern for city of Aspen, said there is no cut- growers because artificial trees and-dry answer to the question of can be used year after year. It what is best. has reached a point where half “I can’t tell you the carbon the trees put up in American footprint of each option,” said households are made of plastic, Peterson, who is partial to a cut industry experts say. The rest of tree, as long as it is mulched the bad news for growers is that after the holidays. it is getting harder to tell which At first blush, plastic trees trees are real. seem easy to vilify. But not so This year, the National fast. The Daily Green, a website Christmas Tree Association pre- that touts itself as “the con- pared a point-by-point chart com- sumer’s guide to the green revo- paring real and plastic trees. “It’s lution,” looked at the Christmas an attempt to make it a simple tree selection dilemma with a apples-to-apples comparison,” lead story Monday. said Rick Dungey of the tree It reported that many artifi- Lower-energy LED lights were used on many Christmas trees group, based in Missouri. “Once cial trees are made in China with this year, including the U.S. National Capitol Christmas Tree you see the difference, it becomes oil-derived PVC that will last for which came from Vermont. This trend is just one example of a pretty clear choice.” centuries in landfills once they the increasing attention being paid to the “environmental Not so, said Thomas are discarded. But The Daily impact” of Christmas trees. Harman of Balsam Hill Trees, a Green founder Deborah Barrow high-end artificial tree company said her website concluded that that prides itself on being able to artificial trees cannot be demo- even as seemingly insignificant as pass off its creations as the real nized. Christmas trees. thing. Mr. Harman said the bot- Advocates say consumers of He suggested asking atten- tom line was whether customers artificial trees can avoid the dants at Christmas tree lots want convenience over the real annual shipping required with about the practices of their farms. thing. cut trees and the gas guzzled Don’t buy if you aren’t satisfied Source: The New York Times while transporting one home. with the answers. That not only They also eliminate the need for educates the consumer, it lets Environmental Issues irrigation and pesticides. U.S. retailers know people care about Selecting a “green” tree does- manufacturers, such as one in environmental issues. n’t mean what it used to, now New Jersey, reduce the chances Source: The Aspen (Colo.) Times that the planet is warming. of contamination with lead and There is a growing debate within other toxins in manufacturing, Stoking Fire Fears the environmental community The Daily Green said. While it might seem a bit about whether revelers should Barrow, who chooses a cut -like that Portsmouth buy a cut tree, go artificial, deco- tree, said she started her website, (N.H.) fire officials ordered the rate a live tree that they can which is part of Hearst South Church to remove the live later plant or simply do without. Magazines Digital Media, Christmas trees it had placed on It’s enough to make even the because people are seeking infor- either side of the altar, fire safety most green among us squirm. mation and guidance on green officials say it might save lives. “If someone’s bad-mouthing products. She believes the ques- New Hampshire adopted the Christmas trees, they’re going to tion of which type of Christmas National Fire Protection be a pariah forever,” said Gary tree is most environmentally Association’s code as it pertains to Goodson, director of the Aspen- friendly is a perfect example of cut Christmas trees and part of based Community Office for an issue that people are now that is a ban on trees where the Resource Efficiency. examining “through a green public assembles, particularly if His family sidesteps the lens.” the building does not have a debate by decorating with Michael Brown, an environ- sprinkler system. wreaths, but he certainly under- mental consultant in Santa Deputy John Raymond, from stands that a tree is an impor- Barbara, Calif., said people the New Hampshire fire mar- tant part of many family’s festivi- should “absolutely” be asking shal's office, said that a tree that ties. He suggested going with a questions about lifestyle choices, is cut and not properly main- JANUARY 2008 PAGE 9 tained with water, and is lighted, Raymond said the biggest Glad it wasn’t us... can dry out and become very dan- danger comes from the difficulty COPENHAGEN, Denmark - gerous. “If it catches on fire, with- of evacuating quickly during a The Danish Christmas growers’ in 30 seconds, it can engulf a typ- fire. “In public places, the trees association has been charged with ical living room,” said Raymond. tend to get bigger,” he said. “A rigging prices for the yuletide “There’s also the danger that the larger tree, in a church, or meet- evergreens. The charge comes family pet drinks the water and ing hall, or banquet hall adds after warnings from Denmark’s you don’t know. Often cats try to more fire load to the building.” competition authority [to] the climb it. They pull the wiring and On Tuesday, Portsmouth fire offi- Christmas Tree Growers chew on lights. A lot of people cials said the only reason they Association to stop giving mem- now do a balled tree. It’s still a went to South Church was the bers wholesale price guidelines, live tree but safer, and when the trees were reported to them. Fire which the authority saw as being season is over you can plant it in officials are not out acting as tree aimed at preventing growers from your yard.” police. Source: www.seacoastonline.com undercutting one another.

Penn State Short Course Trading Post Penn State’s 2008 Christmas tion deadline is Friday, Feb. 8, FOR SALE: Mail order Tree Management Short Course 2008. business. Complete package: will be held at the Ramada Inn If you would like to receive a Boxing equipment; electric and Conference Center in State registration form or need addi- winch; over 100 7-foot tree College, , on tional information, please call the boxes; over 150 wreath Wednesday February 13 and Christmas Tree Management boxes (22 to 24 inches o.d.); Thursday February 14. Short Course office at (814) 863- 1.5 rolls red wax tissue, Sponsored by the College of 0918 or e-mail Rick Bates at rack and cutter bar; tree Agricultural Sciences and the [email protected]. shaker with tree holder and Department of Horticulture, the A block of rooms have been multi-year (12 yrs.) cus- course attracts Christmas tree reserved at The Ramada Inn and tomer mailing list. Elysian growers from over 12 states and Conference Center at a special Hills Tree Farm. 209 Knapp Canada. rate of $59. Reserve a room at a Rd. Dummerston, VT The course is designed to by calling (814) 238-3001, and 05301. [email protected] help growers adopt the latest pest indicate you are attending the 802-257-0233. We will be at control, production and business Christmas Tree Short Course. the winter meeting in management practices. Barre. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture pesticide re-certifica- tion core and category credits will also be available to those attend- HOWEY CORP. ing the course. MANUFACTURERS OF CHRISTMAS TREE HARVESTING EQUIPMENT This year’s program repre- BALERS ELEVATORS SHAKERS TWINE sents a broad range of topics and Christmas Tree Dealer: Mr. Lucien J. Pilote highlights conifer pest and cultur- 2006 VT Rte. 102 Canaan, VT 05903-9740 al management and farm busi- Tel. (802) 277-5223 ness management. A sampling of this year’s topics include: pesti- cide safety, nursery inspections, pricing trees, selecting planting stock, back-to-basics workshop, conifer grafting workshop, Wednesday evening pest manage- ment roundtable & diagnostic ses- sion, and Christmas tree scout- ing. A registration fee of $185 includes all educational sessions, instructional materials, breaks and lunches for Feb 13 and 14. Registration for one day of the conference is $105. The registra- PAGE 10 JANUARY 2008 Summer Meeting in Massachusetts continued from page 1 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. life cycle of yellow jackets, hor- Exhibitor demonstrations, field nets, wasps—nesting preference, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. demonstrations, shearing demon- procedures for control Lunch & Trade Show strations, personal consultations - C. Gloria Ellsworth, “Shop 1:05 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. by the experts, show and tell Talk:” Round Table Open Forum Dr. Richard Cowles, including use of tools. Various to exchange ideas, successes and Associate Agricultural Scientist, locations. failures of accessory sales Connecticut Experiment Station – 6:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. problems and controls of insects Banquet Dinner - Samuel’s Deli Lunch and Exhibitors - Last call (Power Point presentation on new and Catering (Tickets required) 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. research) - A. Laura McDermott, Berry 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Saturday, June 28 (Day 2) Extension Support Specialist in - A. Howard Boyden, OESCO, 7:30 a.m. -9:30 a.m. Eastern N.Y.–Growing Berry INC representative – Calibration, Pancake Breakfast Crops, a Christmas Tree Primer maintenance and trouble shooting 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - B. Dr. Cheryl Smith, UNH of spray equipment Trade show Extension Professor and Plant - B. Larry Eckhardt, Capital 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Health Specialist—Diseases in Area AG Consulting Service – NHVTCTA meeting Christmas trees which include Fertilizer and foliage testing trials 9:40 a.m. - 11:00a.m. topics on needle casts, diplodia, - C. Gloria Ellsworth, - A. Duane Berkey, Berkey's root rots, needle rusts, etc. and Workshop – Wreath decorating: Nursery, Spartansburg, Pa. – how to scout, diagnosis, and man- It is not just Red anymore. Genetics, nursery business, cul- age each disease. 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. tural practices of Christmas trees 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - A. Larry Eckhardt – - B. Gloria Ellsworth, Gregory Ward and Donna Saedi - Fertilizer and foliage testing trials Workshop - S.W.A.G.S. - Simple Ward’s Nursery and Garden - B. Howard Boyden – Ways At Gaining Sales Shop—a huge retail Christmas Calibration , maintenance, and 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. center. trouble shooting of spray equip- - A. Dr. John Ahrens, 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ment Emeritus Plant Scientist, CT Wrap up, evaluations, 50/50 raf- - C. Gloria Ellsworth – Experiment Station—Current her- fle, door prizes Accessory Sales: Making it simple, bicide practices Agenda subject to minor interesting, saleable - B. Ken Warchol, Bees: the alterations.

PAGE 12 JANUARY 2008 Trees for Troops Nigel Manley submits the fol- tag and that who donated the tree lowing report: in question. Trees for Troops went very One donor has already been well in New Hampshire and contacted and thanked for the Vermont this year. Many people tree they gave. The students donated trees or money to the enjoyed writing the notes and I program which was a resounding think it adds a nice personal success. touch to the program. Again if Over all we donated 420 you have input about this part of trees from the two states which the program please let me know. was our goal, so thank you all. FedEx did a great job on the The drop-off point, The Rocks coordination nationwide picking Christmas Tree Farm, seemed to up trees on time and getting them work well; please let me know if to their correct destinations. The there are any improvements that loading at the Rocks was again can be made to help with the drop done by Mountain Star Farms, Students from off location. Bob White organized thank you Ben and crew, the (N.H.) all the efforts in Vermont and he Rocks and the 5th Grade from Elementary made should be highly commended for BES. The 5th grade definitely add tags and helped his work, which included person- youthful vigor and noise to the load trees. ally picking up many trees. loading event. This year the Bethlehem While the bulk of trees were troops serving Elementary School (BES) wrote shipped to bases and families of in the Middle East. Nationally, tags that were donated to the pro- servicemembers here in the U.S., the NCTA program, with the gram at the national level. The some trees were sent to Bahrain, assistance of FexEx, sent nearly students put a message on each and from there distributed to 17,000 Christmas trees.

PAGE 14 JANUARY 2008 Editor’s Desk A number of newsworthy ed to an Association member, or He leaves his wife Elsie of 55 items have crossed my desk since an employee of an Association years and four children and the last issue of Tree Line. member. An applicant’s work their families. Phil’s obituary in history with Christmas trees the Calendonian Record (St. and/or related products will also Johnsbury, Vt.) noted: 2008 Scholarship be strongly considered. A schol- “Upon retirement his Bill Schmidt was in touch to arship award will be made only accomplishments were widely remind everyone that the to an applicant who meets these recognized. Extension was his NHVTCTA is offering a 2008 standards. ministry; he would do anything scholarship. Application forms For an application contact that would help the farmer have for an Association $1,000 schol- Bill Schmidt, Chair, Scholarship a better life. He loved working arship are now available from Committee, Elysian Hills Tree his Christmas trees with Elsie the Scholarship Committee to Farm, 209 Knapp Rd., and was a friend to all who qualified students in New Dummerston, VT 05301, 802- knew him.” Memorial contribu- Hampshire and Vermont. 257-0233, [email protected]. tions could be directed to either The scholarship is to be used The American Heart to help a student in his or her Phil Grime Passes Away Association, PO Box 485, education at an accredited two or NHVTCTA was saddened to Williston VT 05495, or to the four year college or university. hear of the passing on Dec. 12 of American Lung Association., 372 An applicant’s major area of former executive Hurricane Lane, Ste. 101, study must be in agribusiness or director Phil Williston VT 05495. natural resources subject matter Grime,who related in some way to the pro- served the Phyliss Conley Dies motion of a healthy and quality Association for Some more sad news: Christmas tree and products many years in Longtime member Bill Conley's industry. Preference will be that capacity wife, Phyliss, died in late given to an applicant who is a and as UVM December in New Hampshire. member of the Association, relat- extension agent. We have no further details.

$ave $erious $ Take advantage of the NH-VT Christmas Tree Association’s Group Buying programs. Contact Jim Horst at (802) 447-1900