ECA, inC. NEWS Quarterly Publication of Exotic Conifer Association, Inc. Fall 2019 — Vol. 3: No. 2 Collaborative Fir Germplasm Evaluation (CoFirGE) Project Exotic Conifer Association Annual Field Day — August 8, 2019 - Lehighton, PA Rick Bates, Penn State University — Glenn & Jay Bustard, Bustard’s Christmas Trees grower associations in five production regions of the United States and Denmark. During the fall in 2010, cones were col- lected from 20 trees along an elevation gradient in three stands of Turkish fir and two stands of Trojan fir in the country of Turkey. CoFirGE Goal: To cooperate in obtaining seeds and evaluating seedlings of Turkish and Trojan fir species for use as Christmas trees across production regions of the United States and Denmark. The seeds from these collections were sown in 2011 and seedlings were planted in a series of 10 regional CoFirGE test plantings in 2013 across the United States. Each planting con- tains approximately 3,000 trees that includes progeny from 55 Rick Bates and Jay Bustard evaluating CoFirGE Project Trees Turkish firs (3 provenances) and 34 Trojan firs (2 provenances) from Turkey and seedlings from proven Christmas tree sources of balsam, Fraser, grand, Korean, noble, Nordmann (3 prove- nances and 2 Danish seed orchards) and white fir. Two smaller planting are located in Carbon County, PA at the farms of Paul Shealer and Chris Botek – these planting do not include the check species and Akyazi sources of Turkish fir. Below is a summary of information about the Lehighton, PA test planting site and the data that has been collected. Lehighton CoFirGE Planting Site Information Bustard’s Christmas Trees, Carbon County, PA • Planting date: May 14, 2013 ECA members analyzing CoFirGE Research • Stock type: Greenhouse plugs, av. 6-8” Collaborative Fir Germplasm Evaluation (CoFirGE) Project • Mean annual precip: 47 in. / Elevation: Approx. 950 ft. The Christmas tree industry relies heavily on relatively few • USDA Hardiness Zone: 6a (-5 to -10 F) / Minimum species, even as production costs for these species rise due to in- temp. 2013-18: -3 F creasing pest problems. There is interest and mounting pressure • Slope: Southeast facing, approx. 0-5% to evaluate and introduce new and potentially profitable species. Mediterranean Abies species, including Turkish and • Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.6 Trojan fir, are emerging nationally as popular alternatives to tra- • General soil characteristics: Well-drained stony loam; ditional regional species due to their disease resistance, popular- above av. OM ity in the marketplace and attractive foliage characteristics. The • Frost frequency: Low; 3 severe frosts over past 34 yrs.; increased use of these exotic species is limited by the availability moderate frost Spring 2019 of proven high quality seed sources, questions about their re- Bud Break gional adaptability and concerns about their postharvest needle retention. Bud break was evaluated variously at all test sites. Once bud break had started, the following 0 to 6 rating scale was used to In 2010, under the leadership of Dr. John Frampton at North assess the degree of bud break and shoot elongation on each Carolina State University, the Collaborative Fir Germplasm tree: Evaluation (CoFirGE) Project was organized as a collaboration of university research and extension faculty and Christmas tree cont on pg 3 ECA News - Fall 2019 — pg 2 EXOTIC CONIFER SECRETARY’S NOTES by PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by ASSOCIATIONECA News - Fall 2019 — pg 2 Matt Mongin Mike Laine ECA News - Fall 2019 — pg 2 SECRETARY’SSo here we are in Mid-September NOTES bywith HelloPRESIDENT’S everyone, hope allMESSAGE are doing well. by 3006EXOTICECA NewsBlue -Green Fall CONIFER 2019 Drive — pg 2 EXOTIC CONIFER SECRETARY’SMattSummer Mongin daytime temperatures NOTES in by the PRESIDENT’SMikeWhile everyone Laine living MESSAGE in the central and by EXOTICASSOCIATIONBeaverbrook, CONIFEROH 45431 high 80s and low 90s. Will Fall be late? southern US is baking in the heat and SoMatt here Monginwe are in Mid-September with Mike Laine [email protected] MattMaybe aMongin good thing for Mid-West farm- MikedryingHello everyone, out,Laine we are hope flooding all are out doing and well. hav- ASSOCIATION3006 Blue Green Drive SoSummer here we daytime are in Mid-Septembertemperatures in withthe While everyone living in the central and 937-671-5443 Soers here who we planted are in late. Mid-September with Helloing snow everyone, flurries. hope We all had are a doingnice summer well. Beaverbrook,3006 Blue Green OH Drive 45431 Summerhigh 80s anddaytime low 90s.temperatures Will Fall bein thelate? southern US is baking in the heat and 3006 Blue Green Drive SummerThanks for daytime all who temperatures attended and in enjoyed the Whilehere once everyone it warmed living up in aroundthe central the 4th.and [email protected], OH 45431 highMaybe 80s a andgood low thing 90s. for Will Mid-West Fall be late?farm- drying out, we are flooding out and hav- Beaverbrook,Beavercreek, OHOH 4543145431 highGlenn 80s and and Jay low Bustard's 90s. Will hospitality Fall be late? at southernsouthern USUS isis bakingbaking inin thethe heatheat andand The purpose of the Exotic Conifer Asso- Maybeers who a planted good thing late. for Mid-West farm- ingFrom snow what flurries. 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