Inside this Issue: Photos Tree/Wreath Presentation at Executive Mansion – 2 From the President – 3 Welcome New Member ‒ 4 NCTA 2019 Meeting ‒ 4 VCTGA 2019 Meeting ‒ 4 VCTGA Facebook Group ‒ 4 Trees for Troops 2018 – 4 Elongate Hemlock Scale – 5 Rifton Farm & Nursery on Cover VA Living ‒ 5 VDACS #VAGrown Christmas ‒ 5 Tree/Wreath Presentation – 6 Christmas Tree Month Proclamation –7 VDACS – News Releases – 7 VDACS PR Campaign – 9 VDACS Social Media – 9 Christmas Tree Promotion Board Research Report – 10 VCTGA at State Fair – 16 VCTGA at Floyd Fair – 17 Do You Want to Get into the Christmas Tree Business – 17
Volume 9, Issue 1
Winter 2019
Governor’s Mansion Tree/Wreath Presentation
Dave Thomas (l) presents the Commonwealth’s Christmas Tree to Governor Ralph Northam
Advertisers Tree Teck ‒ 2 Alpha Nurseries − 8 Bosch’s Countryview Nursery – 11 Tim Mitchell’s Yule Stand System – 13 Riverside Enterprises ‒ 19 Kelco ‒ 19 Wagoner’s Fraser Knoll ‒ 24
SAVE THE DATE – August 1-3, 2019 VCTGA Annual Conference & Farm Tour at VA Tech!
Raymond Family (l) present Wreaths for the Executive Mansion. (r) First Lady Northam and Bettina Ring, Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry
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VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
There appeared to be many more news articles about Christmas tree farms and VCTGA members this year. Keep up the great work!
From the President
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I hope everyone had a successful and profitable 2018 Christmas season! There have been many reports of choose-and-cut farms closing 1-2 weeks early as a result of folks buying their trees earlier. Several factors probably played into this. First the weather was cold, and it had been much more season, leading up to Thanksgiving weekend, news stories about being a limited supply of trees, and social media marketing from the Christmas Tree Promotion Board. Some members experienced issues with rain and limited access to parking and some farms and some having to actually closed due to the weather. The December 9th snow storm create a Christmas atmosphere, but came on a prime selling weekend. National tree sales surveys indicated an uptick in tree sales the first 3 weeks of the selling season, starting Thanksgiving weekend.
VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
This season brought a new rise in online sales of Christmas trees by Home Depot and Amazon. Home Depot sold 5-6’ trees directly from Holiday Tree Farms, Oregon, for $103.98, 6-6 ½’ from Cottage Farms Direct for $106.98 as well as 2 ½ to 3 ½’ table top Fraser fir for $58.99. Amazon sold 7’ Fir trees for $115, expecting to sell 50-100,000 trees. The Great Big Greenhouse, an independent garden center in Richmond, VA was offering a fresh cut baled 7’ premium Fraser Fir Christmas tree delivered to your front door, along with a tree removal bag, and a packet of tree preservative for $99.99. In spite of all this competition, I think we all would say that the choose and cut industry performed very well. Thanks to all the VCTGA members who helped staff the VCTGA exhibit at the State Fair of Virginia. It’s a great opportunity to promote family traditions of having a real Virginia grown fresh tree. The VCTGA hosted a successful Fall Wreath Workshop at the Virginia Department of Forestry Nursery in Crimora the morning before the Board meeting on October 17. The workshop was taught by Tommy Naylor, North Creek Christmas Tree & Nursery. Fresh greens were provided by John Carroll, Claybrooke Farms. SAVE THE DATE! The 2019 VCTGA Annual Conference and Farm Tour will be held in Blacksburg at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena, on Plantation Road, with great meeting facilities. Hotel rooms will be available at The Inn at Virginia Tech. John Carroll and his committee are already putting together a great program that will take advantage of the talent and resources at Virginia Tech.
If you have any speaker/program suggestions, contact John as soon as possible at claybrookefarm@gmail.com I encourage you to provide suggestions and comments of how the VCTGA can help you become more profitable and successful. jeffgregson@gmail.com or secretary@VirginiaChristmasTrees.org .
Jeff Gregson Jeff Gregson, President President VCTGA VCTGA2016-19 2016-19
VCTGA VCTGA News News Journal Journal Contributing Contributing and andCoordinating Coordinating Editors Editors VDACS Support & Updates
VDACS Danny Support & Updates Neel Danny Neel Grant Updates
Grant Updates Greg Lemmer Greg Lemmer
Editor in Chief - Jeff Miller
Editor in Chief - Jeff Miller
Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Inc.
Virginia Christmas Tree 383 Coal Hollow Rd Growers Association Inc. Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 383PH: Coal Hollow Rd. 540-382-7310 Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Fax: 540-382-7310 PH: 540-382-7310 secretary@VirginiaChristFax:masTrees.org 540-382-2716 www.VirginiaChristmasTreees.org secretary@VirginiaChristmasTrees.org www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org Disclaimer: Published for your information, newsletter is not an Disclaimer:this Published for your information, this not an endorsement fornewsletter individualis products endorsement for individual products or or editorial comments. editorial comments.
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Welcome New Member!
Exclusive New VCTGA Facebook Group for Members Only
Christmas Spirit Foundation & Trees for Troops
A new VCTGA membership benefit was introduced at our annual conference in Natural Bridge by Ryan Clouse – a VCTGA Facebook Group! This is different from a regular Facebook page, in 9that what you post only goes to other VCTGA Group members. Ask a question, offer tips, new resources, post photos, etc.
Kristin Berrier, Keystone Holiday, Forsyth, NC (near Winston-Salem. They sell through Fraser Knoll and were an exhibitor at the VCTGA Fall Conference at Natural Bridge.
National Christmas Tree Association Meeting & Contests August 9-10, 2019 The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association will host the 2019 NCTA meeting and National Christmas Tree contest in conjunction with their meeting, similar to how Wisconsin hosted 2017.
VCTGA Annual Conference & Field Day Save the Date! August 1-3, 2019 At Virginia Tech’s campus AlphinStuart Livestock Teaching Arena on Plantation Road, Blacksburg. Hotel rooms will be available at The Inn at Virginia Tech. This will be a great opportunity to tap into the expertise, technology and resources at Virginia Tech. Page 4
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Ryan is also setting up a resource clearinghouse page for Extension Publications, PowerPoint presentations from VCTGA meetings, and other information that will help you be a more successful/profitable Christmas tree business. To Join: 1. Log into your Facebook profile. 2. Enter “Virginia Christmas Tree Growers” in the search box at the top left of the page. 3. Click the Groups tab to see a list of groups related to your search term. 4. As above, click on the name of the group to learn more, or click Join to become a member of the group. 5. You will have to wait for your membership request to be approved. For additional info or help, contact Ryan Clouse rclouse@mafc.com or Jeff Miller, secretary@VirginiaChristmasTrees.org
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt charitable organization that works to recognize and support the true spirit of Christmas for U.S. troops through the Trees for Troops program. The foundation was established in 2005 and is among fewer than 5% of U.S. charities to be awarded the “Best in America” seal of excellence by independent Charities of America. Trees for Troops was selected by the US Coast Guard as the recipient of the 2017 Spirit of Hope Award. 2018 Program was the 14th Year • • •
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16,399 TREES to US military bases 200 TREES to 4 international military bases 67 BASES in the US received deliveries including 4 overseas military bases Over 800 growers donated and trees were picked up from 24 states, delivered to 16 states 225,319 trees have been distributed for 14 years To learn more, visit www.treesfortroops.org or call 800-965-1653
VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019
VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
Elongate Hemlock Scale Fiorinia externa Ferris
Photo Credit: Kristopher Abell, University of Massachusetts, Bugwood.org
State level report
County level observation
Date created: 25 August 2016
The Alien Forest Pest Explorer maintains spatial and biological information for 89 non-indigenous pests to the United States forests. Some of these pests are widely known, but a great number of them are obscure and relatively unknown. Because of this disparity, information for this site is generated from a variety of sources and depicts a geographic range at the county scale. For some of the regulated forest pests, we collect data from Forest Health Protection (FHP) and its partner’s Insect and Disease Survey (IDS) Dataset. For the other pests, information is annually updated using peer-reviewed articles, gray literature, museum specimens and communications with experts. We strive to generate maps that reflect the best of our current knowledge for each species; however, a degree of error is inherent in all maps. The maps are distributed “AS-IS” without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranties of suitability to a particular purpose or use. The Forest Service and its partners shall not be held responsible for missing or inaccurate data. An accuracy assessment has not been completed for this dataset. Maps and data may be updated without notice. For the most up-to-date maps, please visit the AFPE mapping tool at http://foresthealth.fs.usda.gov/portal/Flex/APE.
A real Christmas tree from Rifton Farm & Nursery is featured on the cover of the December 2018 issue of the VIRGINIA LIVING magazine, as well as a 2-page spread in the article “Feeling FESTIVE – Home for the holidays in Bath County”!
Please cite this map as follows: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station and Forest Health Protection. “Alien Forest Pest Explorer - species map.” Database last updated 28 July 2016. <http://foresthealth.fs.usda.gov/portal/Flex/APE> (access date).
Elongate Hemlock Scale Currently EHS is found in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia. See attached map.
Rifton Farm & Nursery Tree Graces Cover of Virginia Living
Post pictures of your decorated real, Virginia Grown Christmas tree using #VaGrownChristmas. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) encourages consumers to celebrate Christmas with a real, Virginia Grown evergreen tree. With ideal growing conditions and plenty of moisture, Virginia’s Christmas tree growers have beautiful, fresh, farmgrown trees available for this holiday season.
Before any shipments leave Virginia, the growers should look at the National Plant Board (NPB) website, under the State Laws and Regulations tab to see what requirements must be met and any restrictions. This could save a lot of headaches and money.
Danny Neel Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services Wytheville, VA 24382 276-228-5501 Office danny.neel@vdacs.virginia.gov VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019
VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
November 26, 2018 [This is one of the news releases and social media promotions that VDACS sent out for Christmas tree growers and retailers.]
Any Christmas tree grower shipping material, which may have EHS in it, to states other than those listed above, may experience difficulties selling their products, or may have their products destroyed.
If questions or more information is needed please let me know.
VDACS - Celebrate the Holidays With A Virginia Grown Christmas Tree
Floyd County Christmas Tree Grower, Rifton Farm & Nursery’s tree graces the cover of Virginia Living magazine!
Search for Virginia Christmas tree growers online at www.VirginiaGrown.com or on the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers website, www.virginiachristmastrees.org . Along with choose-and-cut and pre-cut trees, many farms also sell fresh-made wreaths, garlands, holiday greenery, 5
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roping, centerpieces and tree stands. Some offer special touches for a memorable family experience such as hot beverages, holiday treats, hayrides and Christmas shops. Consumers should call ahead to confirm availability and hours of operation. VDACS encourages everyone who buys a real, Virginia Grown Christmas tree to help spread the word by posting images of their decorated tree on social media using the hashtags #VaGrownChristmas and #VirginiaGrown. Virginia has more than 500 Christmas tree farms located throughout the state. The Virginia Christmas tree industry ranks seventh in the U.S. by total trees harvested, eighth in the U.S. by total acres in production and ninth in the U.S. by number of operations with Christmas tree sales, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The size of Christmas tree farms in Virginia range from less than one acre to as large as several hundred or even 1,000 acres. They are a valuable and aesthetically pleasing addition to the land and can be planted on barren slopes and difficult spots where other crops will not grow. Virginia’s rich soil and moderate climate are ideal for growing a wide variety of Christmas evergreen trees including white pine, Scotch pine, Norway spruce, blue spruce, Douglas fir and Fraser fir. For every Christmas tree harvested, another two to three seedlings are planted in its place. Freshness is an important feature of every Virginia Grown tree. Fresh-cut trees retain their needles and stay fragrant longer than trees brought in from out of state, which may be cut as much as a month or more in advance. To encourage consumers to choose a Virginia Grown tree, Ralph Northam today proclaimed December as “Virginia Christmas Tree Month” in the Page 6 6 |
Commonwealth of Virginia. The announcement was made during the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers presentation of a Christmas tree and wreath to Governor Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam for Virginia’s Executive Mansion. Christmas tree growers Dave and Barbara Thomas of Valley Star Farm in Page County presented this year’s official Christmas tree and Kelly Raymond of Midlothian presented this year’s official wreath. Valley Star Farm and Rowland are this year’s Grand Champion award winners of the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association’s Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Contest. They were joined for the presentation to the Governor and First Lady by Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring, VDACS Commissioner Jewel Bronaugh, family, friends and additional Virginia Christmas tree growers. Contact: Michael Wallace, 804.786.1904
Tree/Wreath Presentation at the Executive Mansion
ecutive Mansion. An eight foot Concolor Fir will be placed in the Ladies Parlor of the Executive Mansion. RICHMOND, Va. -- Two trees in a white pick-up truck came all the way from Page County to Richmond. It was a special delivery for Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam before Santa Claus comes to the Capitol. From his green tie to his day to day job, Dave Thomas is a Christmas tree guy. “I went to school for forestry and there was a fellow who, near Harrisonburg, had a Christmas tree farm… At the time, he was getting up there in age and he said he would probably be retiring before long,” Thomas said. “If you do, let me know I might be interested.” Thirty years later, Thomas is still out on the land taking care of 10,000 trees. From saplings to 8-footers. “There’s a lot of work that goes into taking care of Christmas trees,” he said. Thomas and his family are gearing up for their busiest weekend of the year, the first one in December. “It depends on the weather. Today’s not a great day to pick a tree and cut it down,” Thomas said.
Governor and First Lady Northam welcomed the Executive Mansion Christmas trees from Valley Star Farm and wreaths from Kelly Raymond on November 26, 2018 This year the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association has selected Valley Star Farm to present the Executive Mansion with holiday trees. A ten to twelve foot Fraser Fir will be displayed in the center hall of the Ex-
The rain poured as Thomas helped pick up the tree for the Northam’s. It’s been a wet season all around. There’s been about 5 feet of rain so far this year in Richmond, according to the National Weather Service. Some areas saw higher amounts. “The rain really with the saturated ground made working very difficult, scheduling work very difficult for a lot of farmers just trying to get into the fields,” John Carroll, the Vice President of the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association, said. Carroll’s family runs Claybrooke Farm in Louisa County. VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
Having too much rain can be bad for Christmas trees. If there’s too much water in the ground, it can stop trees from getting oxygen. Basically, it drowns the roots.
Proclamation - Virginia Christmas Tree Month
It’s Not Too Late to Get a Virginia Grown Christmas Tree For The Holiday
“Firs don’t like to have wet feet,” Thomas said. “I did lose quite a few but I hadn’t ever lost them before, so hopefully we won’t get a repeat next year.” Thomas lost at least 300 trees on his farm. Carroll says his trees fared better than expected. The impacts of the weather are different for every farm in every part of the region. There are about 500 Christmas tree farms in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Despite some of these issues, folks involved with the Virginia Tree Growers Association say we won’t have a “blue Christmas.” “Looks like there’s plenty of trees for everyone,” Thomas said. While Virginia is getting too much rain, some areas are dealing with too little. The Camp Fire in California went through a Christmas tree farm near Paradise. “Their entire farm, all of their trees were lost in the fire and they just made it out with the clothes that they had on their back,” Carroll said. The Christmas Tree Growers Association is raising money to help the farm get back on their feet. “It’s pretty difficult. It makes you think if it were happening here - we’re getting the opposite, we’re getting too much water - they’re not getting enough,” Carroll said. “Our heart goes out to the folks that are out there.” Reprinted from www.wavy.com with the complete text, photos, and video at https://www.wavy.com/news/virginia/how-will-your-christmas-tree-lookcompared-to-those-at-virginia-s-executive-mansion-/1621109232
VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019
VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
VDACS – News Releases for Christmas Trees
December 12, 2018 News Release and Social Media from VDACS
by Governor Ralph Northam WHEREAS, Virginia farmers grow numerous varieties of Christmas trees on 500 farms across the Commonwealth for wholesale, retail, and choose-andcut customers; and WHEREAS, Virginia ranks seventh in U.S. states in terms of total Christmas trees harvested, eighth in total tree acreage in production, and ninth in number of operations with Christmas tree sales; and WHEREAS, Virginia growers deliver the spirit of the holiday season by donating hundreds of Christmas trees to military families each year through the Trees for Troops program; and WHEREAS, Virginia grown Christmas trees are renewable, recyclable, and natural products, and for every tree cut growers replant two-to-three seedlings in its place; and WHEREAS, Christmas tree farming is part of Virginia’s largest private industry - agriculture; and WHEREAS, a day spent on a Christmas tree farm is a venerable holiday tradition for thousands of Virginia families and an opportunity to contribute to enterprising Virginia businesses; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize December 2018 as VIRGINIA CHRISTMAS TREE MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
Christmas is less than two weeks away, so go get your Virginia Grown evergreen tree today. Once you buy your Virginia Grown Christmas tree, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages you to help spread holiday cheer by posting images of your decorated tree on social media using the hashtags #VaGrownChristmas and #VirginiaGrown. Search for Virginia Christmas tree growers and retail locations near you at VirginiaGrown.com or on the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers website, virginiachristmastrees.org. Along with choose-and-cut and pre-cut trees, many farms and retail locations sell freshmade wreaths, garlands, holiday greenery, roping, centerpieces and tree stands. Some offer special touches for a memorable family experience such as hot beverages, holiday treats, hayrides and Christmas shops. Consumers should call ahead to confirm availability and hours of operation.
Freshness is an important feature of every Virginia Grown tree. Fresh-cut trees retain their needles and stay fragrant longer than trees brought in from out of state, which may be cut as much as a month or more in advance. Virginia’s rich soil and moderate climate are ideal for growing a wide variety of Christmas evergreen trees including white pine, Scotch pine, Norway spruce, blue spruce, Douglas fir and Fraser fir. For every Christmas tree harvested, another two to three seedlings are planted in its place. Contact: Michael Wallace, 804.786.1904
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ALPHA NURSERIES, INC 3737 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;65TH ST. HOLLAND, MI 49423
Phone: 269 - 857-7804 Fax: 269 857-8162 Email: info@alphanurseries.com
Fall 2018Spring 2019
Find us on the web at: www.alphanurseries.com
Spruce Species
Size Age
Per Per 100 1000
Colorado Bl. Spruce
9-15" 10-18" 12-18" 18-24"
2-0 2-1 2-2 * 2-2 *
10-18" 14-20" 16-24"
Pine, Other Evergreens Species
Size Age
Per Per 100 1000
$43 $225 $93 $580 $117 $735 $164 $1,025
White Pine
4-8" 8-12" 10-18" 18-24"
2-0 2-0 2-1 2-2
$37 $195 $51 $270 $108 $675 $200 $1,250
2-0 2-1 2-2
$44 $94 $132
Red Pine
7-10" 8-14" 8-16"
2-0 2-1 2-2
$40 $92 $116
$210 $575 $725
24-36"
2-2
$176 $1,100
16-24"
2-3
$144
$900
10-18" 12-18"
2-0 2-1
$42 $90
$220 $565
Austrian Pine
4-7" 7-10"
2-0 2-0
$33 $44
$175 $230
Lake States
20-30"
2-2
$144
$900
Serbian Spruce
Scotch Pine
6-10"
2-0
$33
$175
9-15" 12-24"
2-1 2-2
$100 $144
$625 $900
10-18" 2-0 $42 Scots Highland, Guadarrama, French, East Anglia
$220
7-14" 14-20"
2-1 2-2
$100 $140
$625 $875
Picea pungens 'glauca'
Kaibab, San Juan Misty Blue * * - Add $75/1000
Norway Spruce Picea abies
Lake States
White Spruce Picea glauca
Picea omorika
Germany
Black Hills Spruce Picea glauca 'densata'
Black Hills, SD
Fraser Fir Abies fraseri
Roan Mountain
Balsam Fir Abies balsamea
Nova Scotia, Lake States
Concolor Fir Abies concolor
San Isabel, Cibola
Canaan Fir
Abies balsamea var. phanerolipsis
West Virginia
Douglas Fir:
Pseudotsuga menziesii glauca
Lincoln, Rio Grande
Korean Fir: Abies koreana
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$230 $590 $825
Fir
Pinus strobus
Lake States
Pinus resinosa
Lake States
Pinus sylvestris
Ponderosa Pine
P+1 P+2
$124 $775 $184 $1,150
6-12" 8-12" 12-16"
P+1 P+2 P+2
$108 $132 $156
$675 $825 $975
10-15" 8-14" 10-18"
2-0 2-1 2-2
$63 $96 $140
$330 $600 $875
8-16" 10-18"
P+1 P+2
$126 $156
$790 $975
10-18" 10-20" 20-30"
2-0 2-1 2-2
$43 $96 $140
$225 $600 $875
8-14"
P+2
$144
$900
2-0
$47
$245
12-18" 18-30" 30-42"
2-0
$90
$560
2-0 2-0
$116 $144
$725 $900
7-14"
RC+1
Black Hills N.F.
American Larch
7-12" 12-16"
6-12"
Pinus ponderosa
Larix laricina
Ontario
Green Giant Arb's
$176 $1,100
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'
White Cedar
8-15" 2-0, 3-0 8-14" 18-24"
Thuja occidentalis
Michigan
2-1 2-2
$53
$280
$102 $635 $176 $1,100
Write today for complete price list! Note: Other evergreen species available. In addition, we grow 200 species of broadleaves.
25% deposit due with order. Thank you for your consideration!
Jeff Busscher, Manager VCTGA News Journal â&#x20AC;&#x2019; Winter 2019
VDACS – Virginia Grown Christmas Trees PR Campaign
We are overseeing a public relations campaign to promote awareness and purchase of Virginia Grown Christmas Trees this holiday season. Part of this campaign will utilize social media to generate organic conversations of the beauty and benefits of Virginia Grown Christmas trees. This is where we could really use your help. We have created a website, http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/media-social-media-tool-kit.shtml , that we would like for Virginia growers to use as a guide to generate post on their social media channels. They don't have to use the contents verbatim, but we would love for everyone to use #VaGrownChristmas on their social media post. In addition, we are hoping that they will encourage their customers to post a picture of their decorated tree on their social media channels and use #VaGrownChristmas. The benefit of using this hashtag is that we can track how many times it was used and the audience it reaches. Contact for the website: Michael Wallace, Assistant Director of Communications, Va. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Richmond VA 23219, 804.786.1904, michael.wallace@vdacs.virginia.gov
VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
VDACS - SOCIAL MEDIA TOOL KIT [This is one of the news releases and social media promotions that VDACS sent out for Christmas tree growers and retailers.] Spread the word about Virginia Grown Christmas Trees, it's simple and easy! Join the social media conversation today by posting any of the images, prepared messages below or create your own message and post it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Don't forget to use #VaGrownChristmas and #VirginiaGrown. For more engaging content, buy a #VaGrown Christmas tree, snap a picture with your family, post it on your social media and tag it with #VaGrownChristmas. Encourage your friends and followers to do the same.
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The top selling #VaGrownChristmas trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine. Which is your favorite??
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After you purchase your #VaGrownChristmas tree, caring for it is easy. Here are some helpful tips. (link to tips)
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Buy a #VaGrownChristmas tree, snap a picture, post it on your social media and tag it with #VaGrownChristmas. Search for #VirginiaGrown Christmas tree growers at VirginiaGrown.com.
After you purchase your #VaGrownChristmas tree, caring for it is easy. Here are some helpful tips. #VirginiaGrown Multimedia Collection & More Information at
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/media-social-media-tool-kit.shtml
Social Media Messages •
Make great family memories this weekend by packing up the kids and getting a #VaGrownChristmas tree. Search for #VirginiaGrown Christmas tree growers at VirginiaGrown.com.
•
For every #VaGrownChristmas tree harvested, there are two to three seedlings planted in its place. Help keep Virginia Green this holiday season!
•
Support Virginia Farmers and boost the local economy this holiday season by purchasing a #VaGrownChristmas tree.
•
Nothing says Christmas like a #VaGrownChristmas tree. Search for #VirginiaGrown Christmas tree growers at VirginiaGrown.com.
•
Celebrate Virginia Christmas tree month with a beautiful #VaGrownChristmas tree. Search for #VirginiaGrown Christmas tree growers at VirginiaGrown.com.
• • • • •
Graphics Caring for a fresh cut tree (pdf) Caring for a live tree (pdf) Environmental Benefits of a Real Christmas Tree (pdf) Virginia Grown
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ChristmasTree TreePromotion Promotion Board Initiatives Christmas BoardSupports SupportsResearch Research Initiatives By Jake Sherlock The science behind growing and caring for Christmas trees can have longranging impacts on the industry. That’s why the Christmas Tree Promotion Board has invested or committed more than $500,000 in a slate of research projects designed to benefit the entire industry. “We’re all interconnected,” explained Della Deal, chairwoman for the CTPB Research Committee. “A research project in Pennsylvania can impact growers in the Pacific Northwest. We try to choose projects all over the country.”
In addition to the $200,000 allocated in the 2018-19 fiscal year budget, the board recently approved approximately $177,000 earmarked for future research, Deal said. And all of it will be money well spent to support the industry, she said. “What’s good for one state is often good for another state,” Deal said. “We’re not competitive with each other, we’re competitive with the artificial tree.” There are eight projects currently receiving funding. Turkish and Trojan firs
The projects that are currently receiving CTPB funding range from having the potential to make a grower’s life a little easier to completely transforming a grower’s operation. For instance, several researchers working on a project to grow Trojan and Turkish firs in North America are encouraged by the results they’re seeing, and they’re just as excited by how big of a hit those species could be with consumers. Other projects focus on controlling pests, like slugs and elongated hemlock scale; how to genetically improve trees; and how drones can be used to save growers time and money. “Research is the only way you move forward,” Deal said. “There’s always going to be insect disease issues that is an immediate need to deal with. And then there’s genetic improvement, and that’s a huge part of becoming profitable and sustainable.”
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The WA Test plot in June 2018
What’s the appeal of Turkish and Trojan fir? Project researchers had several answers for this question, but it was Rich Cowles with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station who summed it up best: Consumers will love them. “The density and foliage and color of the trees is just fantastic,” Cowles said. “They have a dark green, glossy, long needle, and the density of the foliage is exceptional. … Their growth habits are such that you have lots of branches and lots of foliage.”
Planting the CoFirGE site in 2013 in Oregon
The Cooperative Fir Germplasm Evaluation project, also known by its shortened moniker CoFirGe or as the Turkish fir project, is an experiment to see how well Turkish and Trojan firs can grow in various locations across the country: Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Detached branch needle retention evaluations that were done on all of the trees in the Nisqually CoFirGE plot earlier this fall
In short, they hold many of the same physical characteristics that consumers look for in other firs, said Gary Chastagner, one of the project researchers and Plant Pathologist and Extension Specialist at Washington State University. VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
That post-harvest quality is especially important to consumers, particularly those who set up a Christmas tree during Thanksgiving week and leave it up through New Year’s and into January.
Trial seedlings are sorted and tagged
“The trend in the tree industry is that true firs have increased tremendously, we’ve seen a big increase in Fraser and Noble firs, those account for at least 70 percent of the U.S. production of Christmas trees,” Chastagner said. “When you look at those species and why there is such a demand for those species, it is largely because of post-harvest quality and stiffness of branches, being able to hold ornaments and having a really nice highquality foliage.”
“Firs have good post-harvest quality,” Chastagner said. “That quality is really important, particularly as the industry faces consumers wanting to buy trees early and have them last a long time, not shedding is extremely important.” Chal Landgren, a Christmas tree specialist with Oregon State University, said the post-harvest qualities of Turkish and Trojan fir show promise. “They have great needle retention as long as they’ve had a good couple of freezing episodes before harvest,” Landgren said. Another upshot of the Turkish and Trojan firs is they stand up well to
Phytophthora root rot. Phytophthora root rot exists in wet soils and moves from root to root, “the water mold actually produce spores that swim like sperm, they have tails,” explained Bert Cregg, a research specialist at Michigan State University. Phytophthora can show up in a variety of soils, which is especially problematic in New England where the soil types changes frequently, Cowles said. “Any field over an acre has more than one soil type,” he said. For the Connecticut sites, the trees were planted in areas “where you’d never in your right mind plant fir trees,” Cowles said with a laugh. “We found sites that were horrible: wet and heavy soil, water pooling in the bottom of the hole.” “If anything can survive under those conditions, you have something super special,” Cowles said. The Turkish and Trojans have survived, but they
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Wholesale Price List for 2019
Quality Seedlings & Transplants Age
Size
Per 100 Rate
FRASER FIR (2-2, PL+2) (2-2, PL+2) (P+2, P+3)
8-15” 10-18” 12-22”
$135.00 $145.00 $155.00
BALSAM FIR (2-1, P+1) (2-2, P+2) (P+2, P+3)
8-14” 10-18” 12-22”
CANAAN FIR (2-1, P+1) (P+2) (P+2, P+3)
Per 1,000 Rate
Per 100 Rate
Per 1,000 Rate
$900.00 $980.00 $1050.00
WHITE SPRUCE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $65.00 (2-1) 12-18” $100.00 (2-1, 2-2) 15-24” $125.00
$225.00 $690.00 $790.00
$95.00 $125.00 $135.00
$650.00 $850.00 $900.00
NORWAY SPRUCE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $65.00 (2-1) 12-18” $110.00 (2-1, 2-2) 15-24” $125.00
$225.00 $690.00 $850.00
8-14” 10-18” 12-22”
$115.00 $145.00 $155.00
$790.00 $980.00 $1100.00
DOUGLAS FIR - Lincoln (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” (2-1) 8-14”
BLACKHILL SPRUCE (2-0) 5-12” (P+1) 8-14” (2-2) 10-18” (2-2) 15-24”
$65.00 $135.00 $135.00 $145.00
$250.00 $890.00 $890.00 $990.00
$65.00 $100.00
$295.00 $650.00
CONCOLOR FIR (2-0) 5-12” (2-1, P+1) 8-14” (2-2, P+2) 10-18”
SERBIAN SPRUCE (2-0) 8-14” (2-1) 12-18”
$65.00 $135.00
$295.00 $890.00
$65.00 $110.00 $145.00
$295.00 $760.00 $1050.00
AUSTRIAN PINE (2-0) 6-14”
$75.00
$325.00
RED PINE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 6-14”
$65.00
$275.00
COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE - San Juan & Kiabab (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $65.00 $225.00 (2-1, P+1) 8-14” $100.00 $650.00 (2-2, P+2) 12-18” $135.00 $890.00 (P+2, P+3) 15-24” $160.00 $1500.00
VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 Ad_1_BW_7.5x4.875.indd 1
VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
Age
Size
Age
Size
WHITE PINE - Lake States (2-0, 3-0) 6-12” (2-1) 6-12” (2-1, 3-1) 10-16”
Per 100 Rate
Per 1,000 Rate
$65.00 $95.00 $110.00
$275.00 $690.00 $790.00
SCOTCH PINE - Scothighland + French (2-0, 3-0) 9-15” $75.00
$325.00
WHITE CEDAR (2-0, 3-0) (2-1) (2-2)
$275.00 $650.00 $990.00
6-12” 8-15” 15-24”
$65.00 $95.00 $145.00
ARBORvITAE - *EMERALD, *GREEN GIANT, TECHNY, *DARK GREEN & *PYRAMIDALIS (RC+1) 6-12” $140.00 $890.00 Started out from a rooted cutting *(P+1) 8-14” $165.00 $1500.00 Started out from a 72 cell For complete list please write or call us. Brian Bosch / Owner
11 7/3/18 12:31 PM
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haven’t grown well “with their feet in the water,” Cowles said.
“Northwest trees look great but their climate is much milder than Michigan’s,” he said. Insect pests haven’t been a major issue for the researchers, but Landgren said it’s still early.
Trial seedlings are packed
“Most (Turkish and Trojans) are resistant to insect pests. We’re finding that they’re not totally immune to insects, and I’m sure insects will develop a taste for them in time, but right now they’re pretty pest-free,” Landgren said.
Cowles also explained that one of the sites was chosen for its known high risk of Phytophthora root rot. In the first experiment on that site, every Fraser fir died within three years while Turkish and Nordmann fir suffered only minor loss, he added.
Ultimately, are Turkish and Trojan fir viable in the United States? The early evidence may suggest some areas of the country will be better for Turkish or Trojans than others, but there is still much to discover as this project continues.
In the Pacific Northwest, Landgren and Chastagner are recording and evaluating how well the trees perform and what types of issues can arise while growing. For instance, Landgren said the Oregon site won’t be ready for harvest for another 4 years because of a gopher problem, while Washington should be ready in two years.
“We’re learning, and that’s the idea of this project,” Cregg said. “Are these trees going to be suitable for all of these different regions? Those are the kinds of questions we’re looking at.”
Chastagner said he has been studying needle retention in the trees, noting that the later the tree is harvested the better it retains its needles. In the early branch testing he’s done, Turkish and Trojan fir have shown less needle loss than Fraser fir. When it comes to pests, deer, rabbits and others have shown a taste for the Turkish and Trojan fir, making deer fence a necessary defense. “If you don’t have a way to keep deer out, Turkish fir is a non-starter,” Cregg said. Other issues that Cregg has experienced in Michigan are early bud break and slower growth compared to Washington and Oregon. He said the trees can be slow to establish. Page 12 12 |
Using heat to kill larvae Chastagner is working on a related project regarding seeds for Turkish and Nordmann fir This project, just underway, will test whether heat can be an effective treatment against Megastigmus larvae, a pest that likes to eat the internal part of conifer seeds. Nordmann fir is grown widely in Europe, and most seed for Christmas tree production come from native tree stands rather than seed orchards, Chastagner said. The same is true of exotic firs used in the Turkish fir project -- only these come from the Black Sea region, namely Turkey, Russia and Georgia. If the adult wasp can fly to nearby conifers and start laying eggs on the cones of those conifers, the larvae will hatch and seed viability will decrease as a result. “You can’t manage this pest in the forest,” Chastagner said. “In a seed
orchard, you can spray with insecticide when the Megastigmus wasp is flying and laying eggs on the cones, which keeps the pest levels down to a lower risk of seed infestation. But when you harvest out of a forest, in some years there is more infestation in seed than in others.” A high infestation can mean nurseries are unable to collect viable seeds, “so there’s a whole year with no seedlings available, at least from that nursery,” Chastagner said. If inspectors find that seeds are infested with larvae, all seeds have to destroyed, Chastagner said, because there is no known treatment for the larvae, only the adult wasps. That’s where his research comes in. Chastagner is working with nurseries to secure infested seeds to see if he can develop an approach acceptable to the USDA for eradicating the larvae before they eat the internal part of the seed. The first test is to see how well the larvae and seed stand up to heat. Chastagner said he’s hoping the right combination of temperature and exposure time will kill the larvae without damaging the seed. Leader control for firs Chal Landgren, the Oregon State University researcher, also has a side project relating to the Turkish and Nordmann fir trees -- he’s looking at strategies for controlling the leader. So far, he’s examining three cultural treatments to see which is most effective: Cutting the leader at bud break in April; cutting the leader at 2 inches length, generally in May; or cutting the leader after it is fully elongated, generally in August. “We’re still working up the data on those, but looking at various treatments it seemed like the best time for these two species was in April,” Landgren said, adding that preliminary results and final results may change. VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
He’s also experimenting with a growth regulator treatment to see if the leaders on those two species can be limited with the right combination of rate and timing. “We used a chemical called ‘ProTone’ plant growth regulator. We found that the right rate at the right time had a pretty success in controlling the leader,” Landgren said. He added the same experiment will be repeated by Michigan State researcher Bert Cregg in summer 2019. “Controlling the leader has typically been done by cutting it in August and maybe a quarter of those we do we have to go back and straighten them up with sticks in kind of a splint,” Landgren said. “That treatment on Nordmann and Turkish fir is the most expensive activity … if we can save growers time from tying up and straightening tops, it will save the most money.”
Keeping slugs off of exports One slug. That’s all it takes to shut down a shipment of trees to Hawaii. And fixing the problem can end up costing thousands and thousands of dollars. Slugs are a very, very important pest to the tree industry,” explained Rory McDonnell, Oregon State University’s slug expert. “That surprises a lot of people. Many think slugs are pests for field crops ...But in the Pacific Northwest, slugs are the top three most common rejection for exports.” McDonnell offered this example: A shipment of trees grown in Washington or Oregon is bound for Hawaii. Upon port inspection in Hawaii, if so much as one roundback slug is found, the shipment has to either be returned or thoroughly cleaned. Both options are expensive, and in either case the grower pays the price.
That’s why McDonnell, along with fellow Oregon State researcher Chal Landgren and Gary Chastagner from Washington State, are developing Integrated Pest Management strategies to keep slugs out of tree plantations as well as shipping yards. “The fundamental question is: Are slugs getting into trees before they’re cut, after they’re cut, when they’re in the field or when they’re in the shipping yard?” Chastagner said. To test which slugs are getting on the trees themselves, the researchers use blanket traps that provide the kind of dark and damp refuge slugs look for when day breaks. Some of the blankets are wrapped around the trunk of a tree while others are on the ground. Then, all the researchers have to do is collect the traps once a month and analyze to see which species of slugs are in the area. McDonnell said research-
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VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
13 | 13
ers have collected slugs at seven Oregon tree farms and three in Washington.
Understanding Elongate Hemlock Scale
The researchers are also collecting slugs at shipping yards, but only during the peak tree shipping times of November and December. Those traps get checked every two weeks. Once the number of slugs and their species are determined, researchers can then make and test recommendations for managing slugs. That will likely include testing a variety of pesticides, McDonnell said. It might also mean making recommendations for how to maintain shipping yards, since too much surface debris in the shipping yard or around the edges can make for a friendly slug habitat. Chastagner mentioned two potential treatments for slug-infested trees: Hot water treatments after trees have been bailed or dipping trees in essential oils. Hot water treatments have shown to be effective against slugs without harming trees while essential oils can be effective against slugs but leave trees damaged, Chastagner said. McDonnell said knowing which species of slug is prevalent at which time and which location is the key to figuring out effective management strategies. After all, he said, some species peak at different times of year, some lay eggs in spring, and some lay eggs in fall. “Once we have a better idea of the species, we’ll come up with better management strategies,” McDonnell said.
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Plants in the greenhouse when they were first infested with EHS. The infested shoots of Fraser fir are attached to each plant
They’re tiny, they’re armored, they’re not native to the North America, and growers can’t fully eradicate them, they can only hope to keep the numbers low. It’s not that these bugs, Elongate Hemlock Scale, do great damage to real Christmas trees. It’s the unknown of what the scales could do if and when they’re introduced to a particular region that moves a state like Florida to stop tree shipments from a state like North Carolina.
Scale can travel several different ways -- wind and birds can carry them to other locations. They can also spread through nursery plants and other vegetation, as well as through the export of Christmas trees. And therein lies the problem for growers. “Fir and hemlock don’t suffer much damage,” Sidebottom said. “But a study in the 1970s said that scales will kill plants. So even though we don’t see that they cause much of a problem, to some states, in their opinion that’s just us talking. We had to prove it wasn’t a problem.” Sidebottom and her team worked with 17 different tree species, including conifer trees native to Florida, to first infest them with scales and then to track how quickly the scales could reproduce. Her study went on for a year, which allowed for the scales to reproduce through three life cycles.
Jill Sidebottom with North Carolina State Extension is working to fill in the knowledge gaps about the scales, to help educate well-meaning state authorities on exactly what it is scales will do. “There hasn’t been a lot of research done in this area because they’re not that bad of a pest,” Sidebottom said. Sidebottom explained that Elongate Hemlock Scale first showed up in North America more than 100 years ago. Elongated hemlock scale originated in Asia. Pennsylvania was the first state where the scale started impacting Christmas tree growers, in the 1980s. Since then, elongated hemlock scale has moved into 14 different states; as far south as Georgia, as far west as Michigan, and as far north as Maine, Sidebottom said. Elongated hemlock scale has spread much more quickly in recent years, she added.
Dr. Adam Dale and Paige Patterson, Watauga County extension agent, examine the plants fro scale and study them under the microscope to determine if they are alive.
Because Florida didn’t want elongated hemlock scale in the state, even for research purposes, Sidebottom said she and her team members had to conduct the experiment in North CarVCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
olina and try to recreate Florida conditions as best they could. The 16 different tree species were kept in a greenhouse that didn’t go below 55 degrees Fahrenheit until spring, when they were moved to a shady place in the mountains that is generally favorable for Fraser fir as well as hemlock. “One of the issues with the study is that we couldn’t create an environment where everyone was happy,” Sidebottom said. But despite those issues, she said the knowledge gained about Elongate Hemlock Scale will be valuable for growers across the nation.
“We’ve had positive results,” Sidebottom said. “I think we have a very good study.” Controlling cones in Fraser fir plantations Putting workers on ladders 10 feet off the ground to pull hundreds of cones from Fraser fir is time consuming, expensive and raises some major safety issues.
Scales on the trees native to Florida showed little to no reproduction while Fraser and hemlock predictably saw a great deal of reproduction. Sidebottom said she observed males moving to the Florida trees, but the ability for females to develop and produce young was limited. There are several control methods for elongated hemlock scale, including a parasitic wasp, which is smaller than a gnat, that lays its eggs inside the scale. There are other cultural control options for scales, like reducing the use of nitrogen in fertilizer and not planting new trees near scale-infested trees. And there are several chemical options as well, but Sidebottom said scales can’t be completely eradicated from an infested area. “There is no way to send a 100 percent scale-free plant anywhere,” she said. Sidebottom listed other areas that may turn down tree shipments because of scale -- namely, southern states that don’t have them yet and as well as Caribbean nations that import trees. Sidebottom said she is hopeful that more research about elongated hemlock scale will help the entire Christmas tree industry regardless of whether this scale has reached a particular state or not. VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
Heavy coning, 100% control and cone kill – Representation of the significant coverage of cones on untreated trees, as compared to treated trees.
“In Michigan they can count on cones every year,” said Jeff Owen, forestry specialist at North Carolina State. “In North Carolina, it’s not as predictable, so the idea of growers needing to treat everything just in case is a little harder sell down here.”
Cone removal presents significant labor, time, and potential worker safety issues.
The best way to handle cones can vary from region to region. For instance, Fraser fir grown in Michigan can produce a high number of cones every year – from hundreds up to a 1,000 on larger trees. North Carolina has the same problem, but the severity varies year to year. Michigan researchers are approaching the problem from two angles; a proactive approach that seeks to stop cones from appearing in the first place, and a reactive approach to control cones after they’re growing. North Carolina State University forestry specialist Jeff Owen is focusing on the reactive approach.
Owen used CTPB research funds for a sprayer that is designed for research rather than production. For instance, the sprayer Owen bought drains better than a commercial sprayer, which is designed to prevent chemicals from one trial mixing with chemicals from the next trial. “It’s been a bit of a tricky process, but a good sprayer has been instrumental in doing that research,” Owen said. That research has included testing different herbicides on emerging cones to see which will be the most effective. Bert Cregg, the Michigan State University researcher, said that organic herbicides are primarily fatty acids that, with the right rate and timing, have shown an ability to kill cones without damaging foliage.
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In Michigan, Cregg is also looking at soil applied plant growth regulators as another possible solution. The big obstacle here is cost-effectiveness -- because its soil applied, the entire plantation needs to be treated, even the trees that don’t have a coning problem. The soil-applied treatment can last for 3-4 years, while applying it to the foliage would need to be done yearly.
The Christmas Tree Promotion Board has its eye on the future and believes that the future includes the continuation of these types of projects. The CTPB recently expanded its management team to include Director of Research, Cynthia Alexander. Alexander will work closely with the Research Committee and serve as a contact point for the researchers who are funded by the CTPB.
With the soil applied plant growth regulators researchers have seen up to a 50 percent decrease in cones. “We’re getting the biology figured out,” Cregg said. “The next step is to make it cost effective.”
Christmas tree producers can learn more about several of the research projects funded by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board with a five-week webinar series that begins on Jan. 30.
Drones to control the cones Researchers at North Carolina State University purchased an unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a UAV or a drone, through a coordinated research project with the CTPB. Jeff Owen with North Carolina State said the team hopes to address several problems with the spray drone, including cone and weed control. “It’s absolutely cutting edge,” Owen said. “For us to be able to do that in Christmas trees so early in the learning curve for UAV’s is tremendously exciting and could have huge potential,” Owen said. “So much of Christmas tree country is mountainous. To be able to have a spray system that is not dependent on roads or slope of land has the potential to become a huge benefit to the industry.” Drone project team members have taken a flight training course offered by North Carolina State, which inspired several to work on FAA pilot licenses. Essentially, the team is spending the fall and winter months learning everything it can about the drone with the hope of deploying it for research in 2019. The Future
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“What’s new in Christmas tree production” will air live from 12:30 to 2 p.m. EST on Wednesdays through Feb. 27. Replays are available on-demand afterward. There is no charge for the webinars, but registration is required. Go to www.events.anr.msu.edu/NewChristmasTreePractices/ to view and register. “This research can impact production practices, making things easier or more profitable or help manage certain pest problems that come up,” said Jill O’Donnell, senior extension educator with Michigan State University.
“Evaluating the performance of Turkish and Trojan Fir,” where they will discuss the potential benefits of these firs and share results from regional test sites. On Feb. 20, Cregg teams up with Jeff Owen from North Carolina State to present their research on how to reduce coning in Fraser fir trees. The series concludes on Feb. 27 with the Michigan State Cover Crop Team presenting on the value that cover crops give to improving soil and how that might benefit Christmas tree growers. The projects in this series are supported by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board along with Project GREEEN, Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, Michigan Christmas Tree Association, Michigan Seedling Growers Association, North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association and Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association.
VCTGA at The State Fair of Virginia
The series kicks off Jan. 30 with “Effective Nitrogen Use,” presented by Bert Cregg with Michigan State University. Cregg will discuss the results of his nitrogen trials, including sources and timing of application. On Feb. 6, Jill Sidebottom from North Carolina State will discuss Elongated Hemlock Scale and spotted lanternfly. Both of these invasive species impact shipping and quarantines. Sidebottom will review the history, life cycle, management options and potential issues with transporting trees. A host of researchers from across the nation come together Feb. 13 for
Thanks to these volunteers for setup, staffing, and takedown of the VCTGA at the State Fair! • Jeff Gregson, setup and staffing • John Carroll, staffing • William & Kelly Raymond, staffing VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
Forrest & Linda Hamilton, staffing • Cheryll Green, staffing • Ron & Loraine Hoke, staffing • Sue Bostic, staffing • Jeff & Sandy Miller, staffing and takedown The goal is to get consumers to Experience a Real Virginia Grown Christmas tree, to get back to basics, to carry on family traditions with a truly ‘Green’ eco-friendly tree. The State Fair had its highest attendance record since 2011 with over 250,000 attending during a great sunny weather stretch in a wet summer and fall. Food sales and carnival sales both increased as well as increased participation the the livestock exhibitions, 4-H and FFA youth competitions and youth arts and crats entries. •
The 2019 State Fair will a run from September 27 to October 6.
Do You Want to Get into the Christmas Tree Business? Written by Paris Rasnic, Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm Tips and Recommendations Background: My wife and I operate a Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Farm in Berryville, VA as a true Agri-Tourism-Business. Northern Virginia and the DC metropolitan area provides an unlimited potential customer base. Our biggest problem is lack of trees to sell. There is a shortage of Choose & Cut farms in Northern Virginia and that provides a great opportunity for anyone that would like to start a Christmas Tree Agri-Business. Purpose of this article: This article is to introduce future farmers to some tips and recommendations and also where to look for help. For example, MENTORING with an existing tree farm.
3. Sharecropping - Several Christmas Tree farmers are getting older and thinking about retiring. There are opportunities for new farmers to get into the business by sharecropping with existing farms. The new farmer would have to take over some portion of the farm operation based upon a financial arrangement with the farm owner. This would potentially allow the new farmer to immediately be in the business with a revenue stream without substantial outlays for equipment, etc. This option also benefits the farm owner with tax and other benefits. The remaining portion of the article will assume the reader is doing option 1 above, starting a farm from scratch. Several of the points below would apply to options 2 and 3 above also.
There are basically 3 ways to get into the Christmas Tree Farm business: 1. Start your own farm from scratch. Will take about 8 years before you have trees ready for sale.
VCTGA at the Floyd County Fair
Robert O’Keeffe, Rifton Farm and Nursery, and VCTGA Director, and Eric Underwood, Willow Springs Tree Farms, set up and staffed an exhibit at the Floyd County Fair in August promoting “Experience a Real Virginia Grown Christmas Tree”. VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2019
2. Buy an existing established farm. Should be able to have trees to sell first year.
A. How big? It depends upon how much time and effort you want to put into the farm and agri-business. I will try to provide some guidelines to help you decide. For the sake of discussion, let's assume the trees are being sold for an average of $60 each in Northern Virginia. The prices are climbing and in 8 years, the averages should be much higher. If you plant your trees on a 5 by 5 grid for 7-8 foot trees, (larger trees would require a larger spacing) you could get up to 1,500 trees per acre. On my farm I separate the rows by 8 feet and get approximately 1,000 trees per acre. Seedlings take approximately 8 years to become 7-8 foot trees. Therefore, you can plan on selling approximately 17 | 17
1/8th of your trees each year. If planting 1,000 trees per acre, you could sell 125 trees per acre. At $60 per tree, that would be $7,500 per year in tree sales per acre. After your initial planting, you should replant any tree that dies or that a customer cuts. This will ensure that you will have a continuous supply for years to come. In order to have a consistent supply of trees each year, Take the total number of acres to be planted on the tree farm and divide by 8. The result is the number of acres you need to plant each year. For example, if you are planning a 16 acre tree farm, divide 16 by 8. So you need to plant 2 acres each year initially. Two acres could be from 2,000 to 3,000 seedlings based upon your spacing. If you are using the more dense spacing you would be targeting to sell 3,000 trees each year. You would have the potential of 3,000 * $60 = $180,000 in sales each year. (Note: you will probably have some tree loss so the total available for sale would be less than 3,000). B. Land for non-trees: In addition to acreage for planting trees, you must plan for space for parking, traffic flow, tree processing, Christmas Shop, wreath sales, etc. If you are planning a Choose & Cut to sell 3,000 trees per year you will need to plan for peak days in the neighborhood of 500 trees or more. In a Choose & Cut operation many families will arrive at the farm and spend 2, 3, or 4 hours finding the perfect tree and enjoying your farm. Remember, many customers are making a day of selecting their tree. Food and drink sales can supplement your income. C. Location? The most successful Choose & Cut farms are located within reasonable driving distance of large population centers. Northern Virginia has millions of potential customers. The farm also needs good road access. Properties on one lane roads would be a definite no. Signage Page 18 18 |
on the roads would be extremely important in the early years until the farm is well established. D. Type of trees to plant? We are fortunate in Northern Virginia to be able to grow most varieties. Common varieties are White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Canaan Fir, Arizona Cypress(Blue Ice), Leyland Cypress, and many other varieties. Our farm is currently growing Blue Ice, Canaan Firs, Douglas Firs, Concolor Firs, White Pines, Blue Spruce, and Norway Spruce. Before you plant visit with your local farms/mentor's farm. E. Profitability? Section B provided some estimates on potential sales revenues. Profitability will be determined after you subtract costs of production. Some costs include: seedlings, shearing tools (or equipment), sprayers (backpacks for small operations), weed killer(RoundUp generic), spot pesticides, mowers, labor, and processing equipment (shakers and balers). With small operations of only a few acres very little equipment is needed and probably no outside labor. F. Advertising? Some farms advertise on the local radio stations and in local papers. Our farm has never paid for print or radio ads. Our farm joined the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association (VCTGA) which inludes a website and mini web pages for each farm. Our farm also maintains our own web page and Facebook page. we get most of our customers from wordof-mouth and the internet. During the first 6 years of our operation we contacted local groups like elementary schools, Boy Scouts, etc and created fliers for them to hand out. When the customers came to the farm and purchased a tree with the flier, we donated $5 back to the organization. This form of advertising allowed us to help local groups and we only paid for
the advertising if it resulted in customers. After 6 years we were able to let the program phase out because of its success. G. Signage. In addition to road signage mentioned earlier, you need to plan for signage for parking and also signage to direct customers through your fields. H. Preventing Mistakes: How not to make the same mistakes previous farmers have made. There are several information sources for anyone wanting to start a new farm. (1) Join Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association (VCTGA) Meet with other Virginia farmers each year during early August for 2 or 3 days. Two days of training and information sessions. Major opportunity for new or potential farmers to socialize with established farmers and pick their brains on any and all topics. Existing farmers are very willing to aid and assist new farmers in all aspects. They will happily tell you of their mistakes and pitfalls so that you can avoid the same mistakes. Once you meet the VCTGA members you will have ready access to consultations by phone all year long. (2) Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents are located throughout Virginia and also participate in the VCTGA annual meeting. The Extension Agents are great sources of information on all phases of Christmas tree production from soil sampling, tree diseases, to tree pests. (3) Local Christmas Tree Farmers in your area. Go visit as many tree farms as you can in your area and ask for tours. Nearly all of the farms will be happy to show you their farms and answer any questions you have. Volunteer to help on the farm as a way to get on the job training. (4) MENTORING: VCTGA members make great mentors. I currently VCTGA News Journal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal â&#x20AC;&#x2019; Winter 2019
have two families investigating starting Choose & Cut Farms in Northern Virginia. Both families have taken lengthy tours of our farm. We discussed and they learned about all phases of tree growing and tools used in planting, trimming, spraying, harvesting, processing, and customer interactions. Both families are participating in all phases of the farm. During early April the families participate in our annual planting of seedlings. One family has also planted a few seedlings on their farm. During the summer they also participate in trimming some of the trees and spraying weed killer to maintain the trees in great condition. One the families has also worked through our Christmas sales season. The husband worked in the tree processing area learning the aspects of shaking, drilling, and baling the trees. The husband also participated in securing the trees on the customer cars for their ride home. The wife and daughter worked in our Christmas shop with all
of the crafts offered plus the wreaths, roping, etc. We also have a third local farmer that started a farm 3 years ago. He is planning to have 20,000 plus trees eventually. Both the family and the farmer that is shooting for 20,000 trees worked on days where we sold 500 trees in one day. That was an eye opener for both groups. They now understand that there are some serious logistics in moving 500 vehicles onto the farm, through processing, loading cars, and helping them exit the farm. A great deal of planning needs to be done in traffic management for the larger choose and cut operations. If you are going to plan to be a successful tree farmer, you need to be prepared to sell 1/8th of your trees each year no matter how big or small you are. During the mentoring program the apprentice farmers are not paid during most of the year. They are compensated during the sales season. The apprentice farmers are receiving valuable training and guidance in all phases of the Christmas tree farm. The Mentoring farmer is happy to help the apprentice
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VCTGA News Journal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019 VCTGA News Journal â&#x20AC;&#x2019; Winter 2019
farmer and does get some free labor during the process. In summary, creating and operating a Choose & Cut farm has been personally very rewarding. It is very satisfying to plant seedlings, nurture them, and watch them grow into desirable Christmas trees. But most importantly, it has provided us the opportunity to meet some of the nicest people in the world, our Christmas tree customers. We do not believe you can find another business with such a great set of customers. You can contact VCTGA to get connected with the potential mentors in your area. secretary@VirginiaChristmasTrees.org 540-382-7310, www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org Written by Paris Rasnic, Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm, prasnic@rocketmail.com
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SAVE THE DATE – August 1-3, 2019 VCTGA Annual Conference & Farm Tour at Virginia Tech!
SAVE THE DATES!!
VCTGA Annual Membership Meeting & Conference August 15-16 Blacksburg
VCTGA News Journal – Spring 2013
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