market. 



Due to the demand for lodge pole pine, Alpine fir 

 and grand fir for Christmas trees an opportunity exists 

 for many forested areas in eastern Montana to produce 

 quality trees, too. There is also an opportunity to 

 expand the evergreen ornament business state-wide. An 

 extensive timbered area in eastern Montana could lend 

 itself to producing Christmas trees and other products. 

 Although much of this timbered area is in federal owner- 

 ship, extensive stands can be found in private holdings. 



Those who recognize opportunity and undertake 

 Christmas tree production, can benefit greatly from the 

 many years experience gained previously by western Montana 

 producers. For example, several large Christmas tree 

 producers have started Christmas tree plantations in 

 Flathead and Sanders County on marginal croplands leased 

 from farmers and ranchers. These plantations contain 

 generally Scotch pine which is well accepted by Christmas 

 tree users. The plantations are successful and are making 

 money for the producers as well as the landowner. The 

 possibility exists that many more thousands of acres of 

 plantations can be established on marginal croplands 

 state -wide. Although it takes 8 to 10 years to market 

 trees from a plantation, the income per acre over the period 



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