never use chemical fertilizer or lime. Keep high 
weeds and sprouts cut out of the Christmas tree . 
plantation and do not permit live stock to graze as 
this will cause serious damage. 
Christmas tree production can be increased 50% 
or more by shearing, this is usually done during June 
after the third or forth year from planting, on the 
pines, spruce and fir varities can be pruned during 
July. On the pines cut the main leader (terminal) 
new growth back about 12 to 14 inches. Cut the 
lateral (side branches) (new growth) necessary to 
shape, a large percentage of the trees will not re- 
quire any pruning due to slower growing. Trees de- 
veloping two terminal leaders, cut the poorest one 
soon as it develops. 
For growing windbreaks plants two rows, three 
if space permits, space pines 6 feet apart. Spruce 
and Fir, other species 4 feet apart. Start second row 
plant first tree opposite center of the two in the first 
row and continue. For growing hedges, plant pines 
three to four ft. apart, Spruce, Fir, Canadian Hemlock 
Arborvitaes, 18 inches to 2 feet apart in rows. Prune 
in June or July, starting after the. second or third 
year from planting. If a dense or dwarf hedge is 
wanted, prune new .growth to 1 or 2. inches each 
year. Beautiful hedges can be grown from the Pines 
if kept severely sheared back each year. 
We do not recommend the planting of northern 
grown eyergreens in the South costal or deep south. 
Northern grown evergreens should grow in the hilly 
and Appalachian section of the South with good suc- 
cess. Do not recommend for the desert country of 
the Southwest unless it is known that evergreens 
will ‘survive and grow satisfactory there. 
Plant your idle land to Christmas tree and orna- 
mental seedlings and transplants. Start-a small or 
large nursery for growing ornamental, hedge and 
windbreak stock. If given the proper care, the 
planting of evergreens will give-the land- owner a — 
larger net return on the investment than most any 
other farm crop. era 
Time required for growing Christmas trees. Due 
to fertility and different types of soil the growth will 
vary somewhat covering the necessary time to grow 
a marketable tree. Scotch Pine requires about 5 to 
7 years to grow a 5 to 7 foot trée. American Red 
Pine and Austrian Pine about one year - longer than 
Scotch based on 2 and 3 year old planting - stock. 
Douglas Fir and Balsam Fir, the various varities of 
Spruce-require 4 to 5 years longer’ than the Pines to 
produce a 5 to 7 foot tree. 
