The Steps to Growing the Perfect Christmas Tree
It takes about eight to ten years for our trees to reach full height, from when we plant them as two, three, or four year old seedlings, to when they are sold to our customers. However, throughout these years, a lot goes into making sure the baby trees we plant become the beautiful Christmas Tree you want in your living room!
Planting the Seedlings
Every spring we plant hundreds of seedlings out in the field. Our patches are 8 trees wide x 12 trees deep, spaced 5 feet apart. The first step is to measure out each of the hole locations for the seedlings, dig (or drill) the holes, and put a fertilizer tablet in and mix compost with the soil. Then we carefully plant the seedling making sure the roots are completely covered and the trunk is vertical.
Every spring we plant hundreds of seedlings out in the field. Our patches are 8 trees wide x 12 trees deep, spaced 5 feet apart. The first step is to measure out each of the hole locations for the seedlings, dig (or drill) the holes, and put a fertilizer tablet in and mix compost with the soil. Then we carefully plant the seedling making sure the roots are completely covered and the trunk is vertical.
Watering the Seedlings
Through the hot, dry spring and summer it is important that the seedlings get enough water to grow. Some of the patches are hooked up to a drip irrigation system that we sporadically expand while others are watered the old fashioned way with a hose.
Through the hot, dry spring and summer it is important that the seedlings get enough water to grow. Some of the patches are hooked up to a drip irrigation system that we sporadically expand while others are watered the old fashioned way with a hose.
Mowing
There is lots of grass on the farm and it has to mowed every two weeks April through September. Without the mowing the grass can block the seedlings from the sun or cause lower branches on bigger trees not to grow. Additionally, consistent mowing reduces the number of bittersweet, Black Swallow Wort, clematis, and other invasive species from growing among the trees. Over winter, mice tend to make nests in the grass around the trees and snack on the tree bark, causing damage. Removing the grass will reduce such damage.
There is lots of grass on the farm and it has to mowed every two weeks April through September. Without the mowing the grass can block the seedlings from the sun or cause lower branches on bigger trees not to grow. Additionally, consistent mowing reduces the number of bittersweet, Black Swallow Wort, clematis, and other invasive species from growing among the trees. Over winter, mice tend to make nests in the grass around the trees and snack on the tree bark, causing damage. Removing the grass will reduce such damage.
Shearing
In the summer after the leaders and branches have elongated but not 'hardened off', we shear the trees to make sure they are shaped more or less like a Christmas tree. Additionally, we cut the leaders, the top of the tree, to be no longer the 8" -10" long to ensure that no sections of the trees are sparse in branches.
In the summer after the leaders and branches have elongated but not 'hardened off', we shear the trees to make sure they are shaped more or less like a Christmas tree. Additionally, we cut the leaders, the top of the tree, to be no longer the 8" -10" long to ensure that no sections of the trees are sparse in branches.
Selling the Trees
Last, but not least, after eight to ten years of care, we sell the Christmas Trees! Every year starting the weekend after Thanksgiving and ensuing weekends up to, but not including, Christmas Eve, we invite customers to browse through our farm and either tag or cut a tree! Trees taller than 6' go very quickly so we recommend tagging a tree early and coming back to cut another weekend if you have your heart set on a tall Christmas tree.
Last, but not least, after eight to ten years of care, we sell the Christmas Trees! Every year starting the weekend after Thanksgiving and ensuing weekends up to, but not including, Christmas Eve, we invite customers to browse through our farm and either tag or cut a tree! Trees taller than 6' go very quickly so we recommend tagging a tree early and coming back to cut another weekend if you have your heart set on a tall Christmas tree.
