Planted Trees Are Preferred 
The custom of using 
Christmas Trees started 
a great many years ago 
and we know it will 
continue in both good 
and bad times. The 
business of growing 
Christmas Trees is still 
in its infancy. 
Pines were the origi- 
-nal Christmas trees. 
Spruce and Fir then 
came into favor, but 
Planted Pines are now 
rapidly replacing Spruce and Fir. All Pines are 
much faster growing than Spruce. All Pines 
retain their long needles and fresh appearance 
for months after being cut, whereas the short 
needle wild trees which are commonly shipped 
in, begin to shed within a day or two after 
being decorated. 
Many Species 
Can Be Planted 
The most desirable species to plant depends 
upon several factors. First, is the quality of the 
soil; second, is the local demand for a certain 
species of tree; and third, is economy of 
production. 
* PINES including all the long needled vari- 
eties of Christmas Trees, are the most eco- 
nomical to produce, because: 
(1) Their hardiness enables them to thrive on 
hilly, stony, poor land unsuited for other 
agricultural purposes; sun-leached southern 
and eastern slopes prove very successful. 
(2) They flourish in practically all climates. 
(3) Most varieties will tolerate low moisture. 
(4) Their growth is more rapid than that of 
any other Christmas Tree species, allowing 
them to be marketed within 5 to 8 years 
after planting. 
(5) They require no cultivation. 
WHY PLANTED PINES ARE BECOMING 
MORE POPULAR EACH YEAR: 
(1) All pines hold their needles for several 
months after heing cut. 
¢ Over 40,000,000 Christmas Trees are used each year. 
¢¥ Natural sources rapidly decreasing; quality more inferior. 
¥ Planted Quality Trees ALWAYS command premium prices. 
v Average wholesale price in recent years, $1.00 per tree. 
(2) If seedlings grown from the best strains 
of seed are used, beautiful, compact, pre- 
mium trees are produced. 
(3) Pine trees always present a fresh appear- 
ance and give a pleasant fragrance. 
(4) Due to the heavier branches, this type of 
tree is especially easy to decorate. 
Red, Scotch, Austrian and White Pine are 
the species most often planted for Christmas 
Trees and always command the highest prices. 
While they require no cultivation, it has been 
found that when planted in particularly good 
soil, they will grow too fast and should be 
pruned or sheared. This is a simple and very 
inexpensive procedure which is explained later. 
* SPRUCES are characterized by short, shiny 
needles, and, when properly spaced, develop 
thick foliage and heavy branches. Wild spruce 
grow too close together and do not receive 
sufficient sunlight; they are often spindly, open 
and one-sided. Bushy, symmetrical, quality 
Planted Spruce will always be very much in 
demand as living and cut Christmas Trees as 
well as for ornamental use. They command pre- 
mium prices. 
Norway and White Spruce are the varieties 
usually preferred for Christmas Tree planting, 
although Blue Spruce, while slower growing, is 
unsurpassed for beauty. 
Spruce will grow in all temperate climates. 
It requires rich, moist soil and normal drainage. 
It can be grown successfully in partial shade or 
full sunlight. The species are slower growing 
than the Pines, requiring 7 to 10 years to reach 
marketable size. Northern and eastern ex- 
posures are preferred. 
Due to the fact that the needles begin to 
shed within a few weeks after cutting, Spruce 
cannot be harvested for Christmas Trees too 
early. It is easily bundled, and does not require 
pruning, except following seasons of unusual 
a All varieties may be used for Christmas 
rees, 
+ = FIRS are short needled and somewhat sim- 
ilar to the Spruces in appearance, although 
they may be distinguished by their flat needles 
and upright cones. They prefer moist soil which 
is kept cool by shading from the sun. Douglas 
and Balsam have been used as Christmas Trees 
for years. Balsam is particularly favored for its 
delightful fragrance. The facts related above 
as to the handling of Spruce apply to Firs, 
except that Firs should be planted in the ex- 
treme northern states only. 
AMERICAN RED PINE 
Fred Musser, developer of the proven 
Musser Culture for Tree Seedlings and 
Transplants, examines a fine specimen of 
American Red Pine on one of the Musser 
Christmas Tree Experimental Farms. 
For Christmas 
Trees — It 
Always Pays 
to Plant the Best — 
MUSSER TREES” 
WHITE PINE 
One of the most popular Christmas trees, 
having all the fine characteristics for this 
use. Has ornamental value, with soft light- 
green to bluish-green foliage. Finest Timber. 
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