New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association October 2006 Special points of interest: Group Insurance Discount: The NHVTCTA recently negotiated a group insurance benefit package for its members with the Co-operative Insurance Companies, based in Middlebury,Vt. Contact your local insurance agent for details. Winter Meeting: Mark Tuesday, January 23, on your calendar. That’s the date of the NHVTCTA winter meeting at the Canadian Club in Barre,Vermont. Remember to bring along a tree or wreath to enter in the Vermont Farm Show competition that day. For more information on that competition, con- tact Jon Turmel at (802) 828-3490. Seeking Marketing Members: The NHVTCTA marketing committee is in urgent need of assistance, espe- cially in organizing the gazebo and in helping to organize fair participation. Contact chair Walt Rockwood at (802) 685-2282. Inside this issue: President’s Message 2 Association Contact Information 2 Exotics Update: Korean Fir 4 Research Report:Weed Management 6 Trees for Troops 2006 8 NCTA Update 8 Editor’s Desk 14 Except for a few rain showers Friday afternoon, the 50th anniversary celebration of NHVTCTA and biennial confer- ence of NECTA went off without a hitch. Over 250 growers, spouses and vendors occupied the grounds of the Tonry Farm in Hampton Falls, N.H., on September 28 - 30 to discuss the science and art of Christmas tree culture, and the marketing of the “real tree” expe- rience. The highly successful meet- ing was not without its moments, however. In addressing the dis- tinctions between eastern firs, Dr. Max McCormack stirred the pot by turning his topic’s subtitle: “What are the Real Differences?” into “Are there Real Differences?” Dr. Russ Briggs from Syracuse arrived Friday night with plans to make a power point presentation on soils and fertilizer. When pro- gram chair Russ Reay told him a field session was planned, he asked if there was a backhoe available. He was offered not only a backhoe, but an operator in the person of 85-year-old Alice Tonry. 50th Anniversary Meeting Wrap-Up As you may know, the Canaan Fir Tree Company is unable to supply NHVTCTA members with transplants in the future. Based on that information, we initially thought that Canaan fir would not be available as a bulk purchase next spring, but we have located another source that we feel offers a quality product with a guaranteed Canaan Valley seed source. As a result, NHVTCTA will once again able to offer Canaan fir through our group buying pro- Important: Canaan Fir Group Buying Information gram. Trees will come from Reliable Source Tree Company of Morgantown, West Virginia. They are fall planted, and are sold as a P-1 ½. Trees are 12+ inches, and must be ordered in units of 200. Assuming there are sufficient orders, price will be $.90 each delivered to The Rocks in Bethlehem, N.H. Quantities are limited. Please contact Jim Horst (802- 447-1900) as soon as possible but no later that November 1. A 25% deposit is required to confirm your order. “It makes me feel so powerful,” she said. Patrick Downey gave four presentations on the subject of shearing Fraser fir, and some growers stayed for all four. Perhaps the most gratifying sur- prise was the tremendous success of the “Alternate Program,” planned by Jean Peterson as a floral/crafts alternative to the planting/ shearing/spraying pro- gram, which attracted 30-45 par- ticipants. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Marshall Patmos for his contributions to the Christmas tree industry in his career as Cheshire County (N.H.) forester, and to Dug Kell for his unflagging support of our associa- tion, and several others, during his 50 years in the wreath supply business. Dug entertained the shore dinner group with tales of the early years of Kelco. Our musical needs were thoroughly met by Lindsey Johnson of Concord, Vt., who launched the celebration with “The Star- Spangled Banner,” and provided live vocals for the shore dinner.
Transcript
New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association October 2006
Special pointsof interest:
Group Insurance Discount:The NHVTCTA recently negotiated agroup insurance benefit package for itsmembers with the Co-operativeInsurance Companies, based inMiddlebury,Vt. Contact your localinsurance agent for details.
Winter Meeting:Mark Tuesday, January 23, on yourcalendar. That’s the date of theNHVTCTA winter meeting at theCanadian Club in Barre,Vermont.Remember to bring along a tree orwreath to enter in the Vermont FarmShow competition that day. For moreinformation on that competition, con-tact Jon Turmel at (802) 828-3490.
Seeking Marketing Members:The NHVTCTA marketing committeeis in urgent need of assistance, espe-cially in organizing the gazebo and inhelping to organize fair participation.Contact chair Walt Rockwood at(802) 685-2282.
Inside this issue:
President’s Message 2
Association Contact Information 2
Exotics Update: Korean Fir 4
Research Report:Weed Management 6
Trees for Troops 2006 8
NCTA Update 8
Editor’s Desk 14
Except for a few rain showersFriday afternoon, the 50thanniversary celebration ofNHVTCTA and biennial confer-ence of NECTA went off without ahitch. Over 250 growers, spousesand vendors occupied the groundsof the Tonry Farm in HamptonFalls, N.H., on September 28 - 30to discuss the science and art ofChristmas tree culture, and themarketing of the “real tree” expe-rience.
The highly successful meet-ing was not without its moments,however. In addressing the dis-tinctions between eastern firs, Dr.Max McCormack stirred the potby turning his topic’s subtitle:“What are the Real Differences?”into “Are there Real Differences?”Dr. Russ Briggs from Syracusearrived Friday night with plans tomake a power point presentationon soils and fertilizer. When pro-gram chair Russ Reay told him afield session was planned, heasked if there was a backhoeavailable. He was offered not onlya backhoe, but an operator in theperson of 85-year-old Alice Tonry.
50th Anniversary Meeting Wrap-Up
As you may know, theCanaan Fir Tree Company isunable to supply NHVTCTAmembers with transplants in thefuture.
Based on that information,we initially thought that Canaanfir would not be available as abulk purchase next spring, but wehave located another source thatwe feel offers a quality productwith a guaranteed Canaan Valleyseed source.
As a result, NHVTCTA willonce again able to offer Canaanfir through our group buying pro-
Important: Canaan Fir Group Buying Informationgram. Trees will come fromReliable Source Tree Company ofMorgantown, West Virginia.
They are fall planted, andare sold as a P-1 ½. Trees are 12+inches, and must be ordered inunits of 200. Assuming there aresufficient orders, price will be$.90 each delivered to The Rocksin Bethlehem, N.H.
Quantities are limited.Please contact Jim Horst (802-447-1900) as soon as possible butno later that November 1. A 25%deposit is required to confirmyour order.
“It makes me feel so powerful,”she said. Patrick Downey gavefour presentations on the subjectof shearing Fraser fir, and somegrowers stayed for all four.Perhaps the most gratifying sur-prise was the tremendous successof the “Alternate Program,”planned by Jean Peterson as afloral/crafts alternative to theplanting/ shearing/spraying pro-gram, which attracted 30-45 par-ticipants.
Certificates of Appreciationwere presented to MarshallPatmos for his contributions tothe Christmas tree industry in hiscareer as Cheshire County (N.H.)forester, and to Dug Kell for hisunflagging support of our associa-tion, and several others, duringhis 50 years in the wreath supplybusiness. Dug entertained theshore dinner group with tales ofthe early years of Kelco. Ourmusical needs were thoroughlymet by Lindsey Johnson ofConcord, Vt., who launched thecelebration with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and providedlive vocals for the shore dinner.
PAGE 2 OCTOBER 2006
2006 OfficersPresident Mike Ahern (603) 536-2334Vice President Rich Rockwood (802) 685-4343Recording Secretary Carolyn Page (603) 664-2934Executive Secretary/Treasurer Jim Horst (802) 447-1900Past President Russell Reay (802) 492-3323Marketing Committee Chair Walt Rockwood (802) 685-2282Group Buying Chair Bill Nichols (603) 353-4832
((TTeerrmm EEnnddss)) 2006 Directors(2006) Mike Ahern (603) 536-2334(2007) Mike Godzyk (603) 237-5702(2007) Ben Hoyt (603) 838-6403(2006) Rich Hourihan (802) 563-2369(2008)* Phil Kivlin (802) 897-8031(2008) Nigel Manley (603) 444-6228(2008) Bill Nichols (603) 353-4832(2006) Rich Rockwood (802) 685-4343(2007) Mary Lou Schmidt (802) 257-0233(2006) Susan Taylor (603) 239-4005(2008)* Bob White (802) 899-4924(2007) Patrick White (802) 223-3880
Alternate Directors(2006) Jay Weir (NH) (603) 237-8617(2006) Larry Krygier (VT) (802) 827-6123
*Denotes second consecutive term
New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association
2007 Tree Line Publication Schedule
Issue Ad/Submission Deadline Mailing DateJanuary December 22, 2006 January 5June May 18 June 1
Hello from Plymouth, N.H.Our association recently celebrated its 50th anniversary—and it was a great success. Walt Rockwood, general chair of the conference, and Russ Reay, program chair, were
hard at work for over two years planning this big event. When you runinto them make sure you let them know how much their time wasappreciated.
Our Hosts at the Tonry Farm provided the perfect site to sharewith our fellow NECTA growers, and also deserve our thanks.
Do you ever wonder how things seem to run so smooth in this asso-ciation? We are fortunate that we have Jim Horst as our executive sec-retary providing the support and talent to keep a worth while organiza-tion running efficiently while making it look easy.
It has always astounded me how unselfish this membership is.Sixteen years ago I started taking my hand written notes fromAssociation meetings and started entering them into a database. I doadmit I’ve gotten a little lax the last couple of years, but whenever I have a question aboutfertilizer, marketing or even equipment, I can pull it up on my computer, any hour of the day,and ask questions to Bill Weir, Bill Conley...our friends to the North...and many other suc-cessful growers.
When I do open this database it always reminds me of how open the membership is withtheir knowledge and their unselfish willingness to help others.
Hope to see you all at the January meeting in Barre.
Mike Ahern, president
President’s Message
By Bob GirardinMany New England growers
of Fraser fir are finding thatafter two or more rotations theyare losing trees to root rot. A fewNew England growers havesolved this problem by growingKorean fir where Fraser fir willnot survive.
I have been asked severaltimes what exotic conifer willhave the greatest impact on thefuture of the Christmas tree,ornamental and greens industry.
From my personal experi-ence and the feedback I havereceived from growers from theUnited States, United Kingdom,Canada and Germany, I believethat one of the most importantexotic species is Abies Koreana(Korean fir).
Christmas TreeAs a Christmas tree, the
Korean Fir has the followingtraits:
the needles which is the signa-ture of the Korean fir. This treeis a tremendous seller at myfarm in New Hampshire.
— Great mail order tree.— Beautiful foliage, with a
flash of white.— Excellent needle reten-
tion.— Holds heavy ornaments.— Nice fragrance.— Customers love it!
swag, or container decoration.— Its flash of white on the
foliage makes any decorationattractive.
— Good growth rate.— Transplants easily.— Winter hardy - does not
winter burn.— Tolerates a wide range of
soil types.— Grows well in hardiness
zones 2,3,4,5, and 6.— Does best on pH under 6.— Some seed sources cone
early.— Breaks bud late. Shear
leaders in the spring before budbreak to ensure straight leaders.
— Self shaping- requiresvery little shearing.
— Great tree for pot-in-potgrowing.
— Appears resistant toinsects and disease.
— Fibrous root system.— When crossed with bal-
sam fir the hybrid outperformsboth parents. The Korean is thefemale in this cross. It growsfaster than either parent and itexhibits that flash of white on
Exotics Update: Korean Fir (Abies koreana)
PAGE 4 OCTOBER 2006
continued on page 10
Containerized Evergreen Planting Stock
Plug Seedlings – The Future of Christmas Trees
Advantages: Uniform size Easy to plant Prolonged planting season Reduced mortality rate
Balsam, Fraser, Canaan, Cook Douglas Fir
2250 Hugo Street Sherbrooke, Qc J1J 3W5
Tel: 819-346-2700 Fax: 819-346-8111
Email: quebecbalsams.ca
2250 Hugo Street Sherbrooke, Qc J1J 3W5
Tel: 819-346-2700 Fax: 819-34-8111
Email: quebecbalsams.ca
PAGE 6 OCTOBER 2006
Research Report: Weed management practices for fallBy John F. AhrensConnecticut Agricultural
Experiment Station, ValleyLaboratory, Windsor
Fall is the time to controlmost herbaceous perennial andwoody weeds that cannot easilybe controlled during the growingseason or have escaped earliertreatments. Growers who foregofall treatments sooner or laterpay a higher price. For example,woody species are short and easyto control the first season aftergermination or resprouting, butmay be 4- to 6-feet tall a yearlater, presenting a much greatercontrol challenge.
Two herbicides that fill the
the sugars. In the spring, woodyplants either do not have suffi-cient leaves or are moving sugarsto new shoots but not to roots. Atthat time, glyphosate may killthe tops but not the root systems.Furthermore, in the early spring,certain perennials such aswirestem muhly and horsenettlehave not "greened up" and, there-fore, escape glyphosate applica-tions. The bottom line is thatearly fall is the best overall tim-ing for broad spectrum weed con-trol with glyphosate. Someperennials such as brambles andperennial grasses are controlledby glyphosate even in Octoberand November, after killingfrosts, but woody plants, fernsand bindweed must be treatedbefore leaf senescence (yellowing)or drop.
Triclopyr controls onlybroadleaf weeds and woodyplants, with little effect on mostgrasses and sedges. It has anadvantage over glyphosate inthat it can be applied in row mid-dles to control weeds and brushwithout eliminating the grasses.Most growers prefer grasses for astable ground cover between treerows. Triclopyr also is moreeffective than glyphosate in con-trolling certain woody speciessuch as maple and bittersweet.However, Garlon 3A is a restrict-ed use herbicide in some states(not Connecticut), which meansthat a pesticide applicator’slicense may be required for itspurchase, and it costs more peracre than glyphosate. Timing ofapplication and tolerance of dor-mant conifers for glyphosate andtriclopyr are about the same;white pines and Douglas-fir aremore susceptible to injury fromboth than spruces and true firs.However, for spot directed spraysof woody plants such as poisonivy, Virginia creeper and multi-flora rose in early season (lateMay or June) triclopyr is apt tobe more effective for root killthan glyphosate.
nitch for fall use in Christmastrees are glyphosate products(Roundup Original and equiva-lents) and triclopyr amine(Garlon 3A). Foliar sprays ofboth injure conifers during thegrowing season but are toleratedby spring applications before budbreak in selected conifers and byfall applications in September orlater; at specified rates andmethods of application.
Glyphosate controls mostperennial weeds and grasses andmost woody plants that havehealthy leaves in the fall, whenthese plants have slower topgrowth and are transportingtheir sugars from leaves to roots.Glyphosate moves in plants with
continued on page 9
Reliable SourceA Jim Rockis Co
Spring 2007 Price List
Canaan Fir P+1 1/2 12"+ up .76e
Fraser Fir p+1+1 Ayers Roan Mt. 12" + up .97eFraser Fir p+2 Ayers Roan Mt. 12" + up .91eColorado Blue Spruce p+1½ Misty Blue 10" + up .76eNorway Spruce p+1½ 12" + up .76eCanadian Hemlock p+1+1 12" + up .97eConcolor Fir p+1½ 12" + up .76eDouglas Fir p+1½ Lincoln 12" + up .76e White Pine p+ 1 12" + up .76e Serbian Spruce p + 1 ½ 12" + up .76e
ing its own Trees for Troops pro-gram, this year the NHVTCTAwill continue the effort throughThe Christmas Spirit Foundation(www.Christmasspiritfoundation.org) is the charity arm of theNational Christmas TreeAssociation, NCTA.
Last year the Foundationhelped support farmers affectedby Hurricane Katrina as well asmaster minding the nationalTrees for Troops program whichwas generously sponsored byFed-Ex.
In 2005, 4,300 trees weredonated to the program; 4,000were picked up and delivered byFed Ex trucks to bases across theUnited States. Some 300 addi-tional trees were even flown tothe Middle East for some of ourtroops overseas.
This year I was happy to bevoted President of the ChristmasSpirit Foundation and work withstaff and volunteers to implementTrees for Troops 2006.
PAGE 8 OCTOBER 2006
Trees for Troops 2006Fed-Ex is prepared for
14,000 trees to be donated fordelivery to troops and their fami-lies in the United States andoverseas. Fed-Ex has generouslyagreed to sponsor the program byproviding trucking for the treeswithin the United States and aplane to fly the trees overseas, allwe have to do is provide thetrees.
The Rocks Estate, the ForestSociety’s Christmas Tree Farm inBethlehem, N.H., will be the cen-tral collection point for donatedtrees from New Hampshire andVermont. From Bethlehem theywill be transported to bases andgiven to troops and their families.
We encourage all growers togenerously support the program,and make arrangements withneighboring growers to collect thetrees and deliver them to thepick-up point in Bethlehem. It isimportant for growers to tell meby Nov. 1 how many trees theyare going to drop off at the Rocks.Call (603) 444-6228 or [email protected].
Through aggressive market-ing, promotion and media pro-grams, the Real Tree MarketExpansion Campaign has made adifference. Three straight yearsof declin-ing saleshaveended. But,despitefantasticsuccess in just two years, we’veonly reached 2000 sales levels.There is room to grow! How’sthat? In the 1990s, 36% of the113 million U.S. households pur-chased a Real Tree. If 36% of the113 million U.S. households pur-chased a Real Tree in 2005, theindustry would have sold 40.7million trees. (Instead, that num-ber was 32.8 million.)
Priority programs for 2006Level 1: The base Real Tree
promotion programs wichincludes distributing our mes-sages through the news media;youth & school program; environ-mental promotion; NCTA’s Website; the consumer tracking poll.
Level 2: Renewing theNational Santa Contest for athird year; expanding presenceon television; continuing success-ful English and Spanish radionPSAs; continuing the succesfuladvergame as a means of reach-ing more Gen-Yers.
Level 3: If additional fundsbecome available, expand distri-bution of television materials;produce a new advergame;increase Internet promotionsaimed at huge Generation Y pop-ultion; create radio advertisingprogram for stations that playChristmas music 2/7; enhanceMarketing Tool Kit; produce aPodcast broadcast.
Please consider investing12 cents per tree sold in RealTree Market Expansion. Visitwww.realchristmastrees.org.
NCTA Update
OCTOBER 2006 PAGE 9
glyphosate. My preference, fromthe cost standpoint, is simazineat 2 lbs. (active ingredient) peracre, but if triazine-resistanthorseweed is a problem it may benecessary to add 1 to 1½ pints of“Roundup Original” or equivalentto the herbicide sprays in thespring. For example, RoundupOriginal or equivalent at 43 fluidounces per acre plus simazine 2lbs. active per acre in the fallcould be followed by SureGuardat 10 to 12 ounces (by weight)
plus Roundup Original at 16 to24 fluid ounces in the spring,before bud break. Do not add anysurfactant to these glyphosatesprays.
We know that semi-directedbasal sprays using off-center noz-zles are usually best withglyphosate or triclopyr. However,it is important to set the nozzleshigh enough so that the weedfoliage is covered by an overlap-
Combinations of glyphosateand triclopyr are often justifiedfor fall application to improvecontrol of maple, ash, perennialvetch and wild parsnip. Commonrates would be 1 quart of eachper acre or 1 fluid ounce of each(41% glyphosate and triclopyramine) per gallon for non-cali-brated spot sprays where contactwith conifer foliage is minimized.
We have thoroughly coveredthe subject of differentglyphosate formulations in recentissues of The Real Tree Line. Insummary, Roundup “Original”has been phased out and someformulations of glyphosate mayhave surfactants that increase itsinjury potential on conifers.There are many generic forms ofglyphosate and the few that wehave verified to be about equiva-lent to Roundup “Original”include “Glyfos”, “Credit”,
“Glyphosate 4”, “Clear Out41 Plus” and “Roundup OriginalMax”. However, the latter con-tains a higher concentration ofglyphosate so that a lower dosageis used. Be sure to read thelabels! Certain other brands ofglyphosate also are suitable, butwe have not tested them all. Myadvice is to rely on your pesticidesuppliers to provide a productthat is registered for Christmastrees and is equivalent in cropsafety to “Roundup Original”.Remember, too, that any formu-lation of glyphosate is safe inconifers if sprays are fully direct-ed to avoid conifer foliage or usedbefore planting, becauseglyphosate is inactivated on con-tact with soil.
Because glyphosate leavesno residue in soil to inhibit seedgermination, sprays. especially inearly fall, allow later germinationof winter annual and some peren-nial weeds that may not be easilykilled with spring herbicides.Horseweed (marestail), pepper-weeds and mustards are exam-ples. To avoid this, low rates ofthe preemergence herbicidessimazine (Princep, Sim-Trol, etc.)or SureGuard (flumioxazin) canbe added to the fall sprays of
continued from page 12
continued from page 6
PAGE 10 OCTOBER 2006
Feedback“We have sold Korean fir for
cut Christmas trees for about thelast 5 years. They do very well inour sandy loam soils in Michigan.As compared to Fraser fir, theyseem to take a year longer toreach Christmas tree height (7feet). They do break bud late -almost as late as the Fraser firs.The foliage is fantastic, with agood green color on top and a sil-ver underside of the needle mak-ing for a good contrast. You canreally pick them out in the fieldon a windy day when the branch-es move. We have not had anyproblems with winter burn orfrost damage. I have tried themtwice in my house in a test with 6other fir varieties and needleretention has been excellent.Demand for transplants in ournursery has been picking up forKoreans, especially the last 2-3years. We are increasing ourplantings to meet what we hopewill be increasing interest inKorean firs.”
Jim Nickelson, Needlefast Evergreens in
Ludington, Michigan
“Korean fir is a winner inevery category of evaluation. Itexhibits hardiness, beautifulfoliage, and general ornamentalbeauty. We find them especiallyeasy to dig, for a true fir. Theroot system is more like anAustrian pine with seldom a taproot (our soils are heavy).”
Don HillikerTreehaven Evergreen
Nursery in Elma, New York
“Korean fir is not a majorspecies, but a number of growershave it as part of their portfolio.It tolerates a wide range of soiltypes and for this reason, it ismost widely used as an understock for the grafting of ornamen-tal clonal scion material.”
Adrian Morgan, Snowbird Christmas Tree
Specialists in England
“Korean Fir is the exotic ofchoice for our Farm. It will growwell in a wide range of soils. Itseems to be somewhat resistantto the common root rot that isfound in 2nd and 3rd rotation ofFraser Fir plantings. We are verysatisfied with the growth, colorand survival in all of the plant-
Exotics update: Korean Firings we have done. We hope toincorporate the Korean Fir intoour growing Mail Order businessin the future but we will need toeducate our customers on thegood characteristics of the tree.We have sold some 2’-3’ pottedKorean and the “white flash” onthe foliage is an excellent sellingpoint. The only drawback that wehave found in the tree is theLamas growth but that can bemanaged with shearing tech-niques. Some people have hadproblems with early coning butwe have not experienced thatwith any of our plantings. Wehope to be harvesting matureKoreans in 2-3 years.”
Bill & Jay WeirWeir Tree Farms in
Colebrook, New Hampshire
ConclusionsIf you are looking for a true
fir that will offer you income as aChristmas tree, ornamental, andgreens material then you shouldincorporate Korean fir in yourfuture plantings.
For more information aboutexotic conifers, subscribe to ExoticConifer News by [email protected].
continued from page 4
PAGE 12 OCTOBER 2006
Research Report: Weed management practices for fallcontinued from page 9
HOWEY TREE BALER CORP.MANUFACTURERS OF CHRISTMAS TREE HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
BALERS ELEVATORS SHAKERS TWINE
Christmas Tree Dealer: Mr. Lucien J. Pilote2006 VT Rte. 102Canaan, VT 05903-9740Tel. (802) 277-5223
ping pattern; otherwise a strip ofunkilled weeds is left in the treerow.
When is it desirable to sprayover-the-top with glyphosate andtriclopyr, and how?
If brush, vines, goldenrod,asters, or other perennials areover about 18 inches tall, anover-the-top spray may be calledfor, but almost never, in my opin-
ion, in white pine and not at over1 qt/A of 41% glyphosate inDouglas-fir because of potentialinjury.
Dormant spruces and truefir tolerate up to 2 quarts of 41%glyphosate provided the spraynozzles are held 20 inches ormore above the tops of the tallestconifers.
Flat fan nozzles (such as
Teejet 8002, 8003 or 8004) arebest for uniform coverage in over-the-top spraying. A broadcastover-the-top spray in the fall canthen be followed by band spraysof preemergence herbicide in thespring. Fall applications ofglyphosate or triclopyr are unnec-essary when frost-sensitive annu-al weeds or yellow nutsedge dom-inate and woody invaders aresparse.
Killing nutsedge plants afterearly August is a waste of timeand money because tubers arealready formed and the tops willbe killed by frost. Note wherenutsedge occurs and deal with itin the spring!
If only scattered brush orvines are present, especially insmall plantations, spot treat-ments may be prescribed but bet-ter yet, consider calibrated back-pack sprays, walking at a con-stant speed and spraying at con-stant pressure only when prob-lem weeds or brush are spotted.This saves herbicide (money!)and a lot of time. Of course, trac-tor-mounted spot spraying is alsofeasible.
You are always welcometo call with any Christmas treequestions at 860-683-4985, 4984or 4977.
PAGE 14 OCTOBER 2006
$ave $erious $Take advantage of the NH-VT Christmas Tree
Association’s Group Buying programs. Contact Jim Horst at (802) 447-1900
Editor’s DeskA number of newsworthy
items have crossed my desk sincethe last issue of Tree Line.
Group InsuranceDiscount Plan
Here’s a reminder that theNHVTCTA recently negotiated agroup insurance benefit packagefor its members with the Co-operative Insurance Companies,based in Middlebury, Vt. Co-operative Insurance has agentsin both Vermont and NewHampshire. NHVTCTA membersare eligible for ranging from 4%to 10% discount on their farminsurance policies, as well as onhome, mini-farm and auto insur-ance policies.
The Web site for Co-opera-tive Insurance is www.co-opin-surance.com.
Fair InformationWalt Rockwood kindly sent
along the following report from
this summer’s Champlain ValleyFair: Participation by NH-VTCTA members in the ChamplainValley Fair exhibit for 2006 waslow. Four members entered treesand two members enteredwreaths. “The sad part is thatonly one member who growstrees in the Champlain Valleyarea participated,” says WaltRockwood, who helped organizethe exhibit.
Top scoring tree (first andBest of Show) among 6-8 foottrees was a balsam fir entered byMary Gilbert, Gilbert Tree Farm,Williamstown, Vt. A balsam firentered by Abigail Johnson,Johnson Christmas Tree Farm,Concord, Vt. placed second, and aFraser fir entered by White TreeFarm, Underhill, Vt. placedthird.
Tabletop trees were scoredas first for a balsam fir fromRedrock Farm, Chelsea, Vt.Ethan Johnson, Johnson
Christmas Tree Farm, got secondwith a balsam fir and his sisterJacqueline Johnson got thirdwith a Fraser fir.
In the decorated wreath cat-egory, Redrock Farm receivedfirst and Best of Show. WhiteTree Farm received second, onlytwo points behind the first placewreath.
A decorated tree donated byWhite Tree Farm, Underhill, Vt.served as an attention getter atthe head of the exhibit. The treewas decorated by Lindsay andAbigail Johnson with NH-VTCTA decorations dating back to aNational Christmas TreeAssociation conference in theearly 1990s.
“Trading Post”WANTED—Dave Jamieson
at Mountain Mead Farm inWorcester, Vt., is looking for aused string baler. He can bereached at (802) 223-2523.
