Christmas Frees AS A CASH CROP 
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 
For the past twenty years we have been growing and shipping 
Christmas Trees. We have shipped large quantities to most of the 
important markets in eastern United States. THE BUSINESS OF 
GROWING CHRISTMAS TREES IS IN ITS INFANCY. 
Some people have the mistaken idea that there will soon be 
an over production of Christmas Trees. During the past number of 
years, we have inspected practically every source of supply of 
Christmas Trees in the United States and Canada. We have made 
a thorough study of the markets and the demand for quality 
trees. From our experience, we are convinced that there will be 
a very good market for high grade Christmas Trees for a great 
many years to come. 
The market for select, planted pine trees is practically un- 
limited, due to the fact that these hardy trees retain their long 
needles and fresh green appearance for months after being cut, 
whereas the short needled trees which are commonly shipped in, 
begin to shed within a day or two after being decorated. 
SPECIES 
The most desirable species to plant for Christmas Trees de- 
pends upon several factors. First, and probably most important 
to be considered, is the quality of the soil; second, is the local 
demand for a certain species of tree; and third, is the question of 
economy of production. 
If you already have the land you intend to plant look at its 
characteristics. Hilly, stony, eroded or otherwise poor land with 
low moisture content is the logical site for Scotch Pine. This 
species will grow in nearly any type of soil. It makes a symmet- 
rical, compact, beautiful tree. Although comparatively a new tree 
on the Christmas Tree market, its popularity is increasing each 
season. Due to its rapid rate of growth while young, Scotch Pine 
is the most economically produced of the planted trees. In five to 
seven years it is ready to market. 
Red Pine and White Pine are highly recommended. They re- 
quire a better soil than Scotch Pine, and take a little longer to grow 
to salable size. Both Red Pine and White Pine always hold their 
rich green colors. Experience has proven that one locality demands 
Red Pine, while another asks for White Pine or Scotch Pine. 
Spruces have been used for years. These have been wild 
trees taken from the northern woods, and in general are very 
much inferior to planted trees in shape and appearance. Spruce 
requires a rich, moist soil and the species are much slower growing 
than the pines. Due to the fact that the needles begin to shed 
from a cut tree within a few weeks, they cannot be placed upon 
the market in a fresh condition, unless cut at the last minute. 
Spruce is, however, unexcelled as a living Christmas Tree. Furth- 
ermore, we cannot discount the fact that a bushy, well-shaped 
planted Spruce will always be very much in demand. 
PLANT SEVERAL SPECIES — 
A mixture of species in the same plantation is the most de- 
sirable method of planting. With .a variety of species to offer, 
you will undoubtedly make additional sales. Also different species 
have different rates of growth, making it possible to harvest more 
crops from the same plantation. j 
We would suggest a planting of 70% 
pines and 30% spruces. You may have sey- 
eral varieties of both species depending on 
your particular soil and climate conditions. 
Upon request, we shall be glad to send 
you our complete CHRISTMAS TREE 2 
BULLETIN. ae 


Forest Tree Planting 
When to Plant 
Best results are usually obtained from spring planting (March 15 to June 
1). However fall planting is often quite satisfactory when larger transplant 
stock is used, and when the site is fairly dry. Never attempt to plant in the 
fall on moist sites as the trees will be heaved out of the ground by the action 
of the frost on the soil. Fall planting season is Sept. 1 to Nov. 1, or when 
the ground freezes. 
Preparations for Planting 
It is mot necessary to prepare the soil in any way before planting. Plow- 
ing before planting oftens allows too much sett ing after planting leaving the 
trees lying upon the surface. Sod and weeds in the planting site conserve 
moisture, and shade the young uees during the hot months of the first few 
seasons after planting. Do not fertilize betore, during, or immediately after 
planting as the fresh fertilizer invariably burns the tender roots. Fertilizer as 
a top dressing around the trees may be added several years after planting if 
desired. 
When your trees arrive UNPACK AT ONCE. This is very important. 
While trees are out of the ground they must be handled very carefully. Do 
not expose the roots to sunlight or drying winds, or the trees will be seriously 
injured or killed. Dig a trench deep enough to accommodate the roots and 
long enough to hold the trees. This trench should be near the planting site 
in a shaded location such as the north side of a building or woods, and acces- 
sible to water if possible. Your trees will come packed in crates or cartons 
with the roots wrapped in moist moss and the tops dry. Remove all of this 
3x3 — 4,840 
AA GDS 

(A) Dig large holes, 
Spacing 
Where thinning is to be done at a comparatively young age (4 to 
5 years) as with a Christmas Tree plantation, spacing is 3’ by 3’ 
or 4’ by 4’. With a forest plantation when no thinning is intended 
for 20 to 25 years 5’ by 5’ or 6’ by 6’ is recommended. bs 
Number of trees required per acre for different spacings: 
packing material and place the bundles of trees in the trench, packing loose 
soil tightly around the roots so that air is excluded. If the soil is dry water 
them after ‘‘Heeling-in.’’ When planting carry a few bundles of trees in an 
ordinary water bucket with the roots immersed in thick, soupy mud. This 
mud mixture will adhere to the roots, and while planting will dry slightly on 
the surface conserving the necessary moisture in contact with the root itself. 
How to Plant 
A mattock is the best tool for tree planting. Dig a hole deep enough to 
accommodate the roots, and large enough |to allow for spreading out the 
roots. See Figure A. Next take a tree from the bucket and place it in the 
hole so that when the hole is filled the tree will stand as deep or preferably 
Y% to % inches deeper than it was in the nursery. Spread out the roots as 
much as possible, never curl them up in a ball. Then fill the hole partially 
and pack soil firmly about the roots with hand or mallet. Then 4ll the hole 
complecely leaving a slight depression to catch rain water. Avoid using stones 
and pieces of sod in filling the hole as these make air pockets that are detri- 
mental to the successful establishment of the seedling. Careful spreading of 
roots, and tight packing of good soil-around =the roots will insure success 
with planting. 
Crew Organization 
Planting small tracts three men work well together. One man goes ahead 
and digs the holes, the other two foliow with buckets of trees and plant them 
in the holes. In planting more extensive tracts ten men will work to rhe best 
advantage. Three men go ahead in a paraitel line digging the holes. Two 
planters follow each digger setting the trees, The tenth man. follows the 
crew with two buckets of trees and replenishes the planters buckets as nec- 
essary; also to observe that no more than one tree is planted in each hole, 
to watch spacing, to see that trees are planted properly, and to keep the crew 
going as rapidly as possible. F 
Xa 1742 
6x6 — [210 

(B) With tree in place partly fill the hole, 
then pack before final filling. 
