FOUR SEASONS OF CHRISTMAS TREES

It's really exciting to go out into a field of Christmas trees - you never know what you might see.  Five things I have enjoyed this year are:

1. Watching baby rabbits leave a nest
2. Catching a praying mantis to show some friends
3. Seeing ice glistening on a thousand trees
4. Seeing spiders span a web across five feet
5. Admiring a perfectly shaped Scotch Pine

But these experiences come with a cost because growing trees is a lot of work.  Each season has its share of labor, all four seasons to make a Christmas tree ready in December.

Spring is probably the best place to start in the life of a Christmas tree.  There is work to be done even before a tree is planted.  The soil conditions must be right to grow a nice tree.  Sometimes sulfur or lime needs to be added to change the pH.  Fertilizer helps established trees grow denser.  Weed control is applied so nutrients are not robbed from the trees.  Treating for one type of insect occurs the middle of March.  During the first part of April, the ground is opened up with a power auger and a new tree is planted and watered.  The weather is monitored for frost after the buds have begun to open - overhead sprinklers are set up if there is a chance of frost.

Summer is a busy time.  Insects and diseases are monitored and treated on a weekly basis.  Grass is mowed if rain cooperates; otherwise irrigation tubes are moved row to row.  Scotch and White Pines are sheared with a 16" knife from the middle of June to the middle of July.  Every tree greater than three feet tall gets a trim or cut.  July marks the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers summer meeting at a member's field.  It's exciting to see another grower's business and get new ideas to try.

Fall brings more grass mowing and the shearing of fir trees.  Permission is obtained from land owners to place a sign on their property and the county government is paid for the permits.  Business insurance is reviewed.  A tree inventory of the field is taken, then trees to be sold are tagged.

Winter begins with tree sales. The field signs and baler are set up for opening day.  Sale days are exciting times because of the festive mood of customers looking for the perfect tree.  The average tree has grown for eight years before being ready to sell. Activity slows the end of December.  Indiana sales taxes are paid and business tax forms are filed.  The Indiana Christmas Tree Growers hold their winter meeting.  Continuing education is an important part of the business of producing high quality trees.  Planning is done for the coming growing season ... and the cycle begins again.

2006 Newsletter: What Makes a Beautiful Tree