SUNCREST EVERGREEN NURSERIES 13 
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 preduce 50% 
or more spindling, low-quality trees. 
Shearing gives best results when done in the growing 
season and timed carefully. Fcr pines, the season fo. 
shearing is June 1 to 30, depending on the develop- 
ment. Fcr spruce, firs, and cther short needled ever- 
greens, the best period for shearing is late June to 
July 81. 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 end the terminal 
bud is evident. Keep yearly growth cut back to not 
over 12 to 15 inches, this is necessary after the 3rd 
to 4th year on the fast growing Pines to produce a 
bushy tree. 
SELLING SUGGESTIONS 
Suggestion 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 cutting, 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. 
