SUNCREST EVERGREEN NURSERIES 9 
SHAPE TREES BY SHEARING 
Experienced growers are convinced that economical 
production of high grade Christmas trees is imposs- 
ible without shearing during development. Unless 
such work is done, a plantation may produce 50% 
or more spindling, low-quality trees. 
Shearing gives best results when done in the growiny 
season and timed carefully. For pines, the season for 
shearing is June 1 to 30, depending on the develop- 
ment. For spruce, firs, and other short needled ever- 
greens, the best period for shearing is late June to 
July 31. To spread the work over a longer period 
spruce may be sheared later in the season with satis- 
factory results. The work should be done when new 
growth for the year is completed and the terminal] 
bud is evident. 
SELLING SUGGESTIONS 
Suggestien on selling: Never permit the buyer to 
select and cut trees unless the owner is with him. 
It is best for the grower to cut and grade his trees 
at a cash price agreed on. At our farms we do our 
own cuiting, grading and help load the trucks. 
Retail only, some growers permit customers to se- 
lect and cut their trees, but it is still best to have 
one of your men with the buyer, Never sell on credit. 
This is disastrous when selling in wholesale truck 
load quantities. Even some of the better buyers 
will make a claim on a bad year when there is an 
over-supply. The grower is not obliged to take the 
risk. The difficulty is that many buyers (wholesale) 
stock up too heavy. They should take the risk or 
buy less trees. Sell for cash or request a certified 
check if customer is unknown to you. 
If you are not near a market then place a “FOR 
SALE” ad covering your trees in one of your large 
city papers, classified section. Run the ad about 
August cr not later than the first of October. Carry 
the ad several times or until you sell available stock. 
