Christmas tree mistakes I am still paying the price for.

Here at East Fork Christmas Tree farm we made a few mistakes when establishing our field. Some of the mistakes involving laying out our rows and spacing we have not been able to correct. We cannot due correct it due to the nature of a U-cut Christmas tree farm. We do not clear out entire blocks or sections but we plant a new tree a foot from where the previous one was harvested. This makes our rows permanent. Another mistake that was long lasting but now correctable was not buying the right seed source. The seedlings we bought originally were very slow growers. They were beautiful but took more years to get to market. The last mistake mentioned on this video is shearing to aggressively when they are young. This also makes it so it takes longer to get to market and creates large stumps. ‪@FlanaganHomestead‬

[@donthompson4912]

Like your tip about leaving the leader grow up to 5 feet before cutting the terminal branch. We don’t want 2-4 shaped Christmas trees. 5 foot and above is what we are striving for.

[@seanmellows1348]

Great stuff thanks

[@jeffwiley3730]

If you space your tree further apart when they get to 36” you can plant in between them

[@FlanaganHomestead]

You don’t even have to plant further apart. We are starting to plant a small seedling between trees when the larger are about 2 years from harvest. We can get a faster return that way.

[@buckstopcrew9819]

Love to see a video of how you spray?

[@kevinhollis2204]

I have to blue spruce trees and over the years the inner branches are thinner with less foliage.

[@popandbob]

Not sure why you can't fix the spacing - when you replant you just need to move the seedlings sideways closer to where they were supposed to be. Even if it takes a few generations of trees to fix them who cares - it'll be fixed! To make it easier you could even just skip planting seedlings in the troubled rows until they are cleared and then replant them in proper alignment all at once.

[@FlanaganHomestead]

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately it is a little harder than that. The number of rows that would have to be pushed over is pretty large. We wouldn’t have good access to work the trees. Also by the time everything shifted we would be blocking a roadway.

[@popandbob]

@@FlanaganHomestead Fair enough it may be difficult and time consuming but it would still be possible in my opinion but if it doesn't bug you enough to change it then its a moot point anyway :)

[@kevinhollis2204]

What type of hirsute do you use for your Christmas trees? What type of trees do you have? What is the herbicide use to control?

[@FlanaganHomestead]

I have noble fir, nordmann, grand, and Doug. The herbicide we use changes year to year. We have used westar, and many different herbicides often with a glyphosate base.

[@kevinhollis2204]

It should say herbicide

[@dboutdoors06]

Great video. Where do you get seedlings? We planted last year for the first time and lost 25%. Thanks for sharing.

[@FlanaganHomestead]

I go a little south of me to Salem Oregon. Brooks tree farm. I have also bought from drakes crossing and Kintighs in that area.

[@dboutdoors06]

@@FlanaganHomestead ok thanks.

[@Havencheer2014]

why the dead loss? drought?

[@FlanaganHomestead]

@@Havencheer2014 hot dry summers. Also too much competition from weeds for moisture

[@cjluvsreese]

Do you have any videos or info on what it means to tie the tops?

[@FlanaganHomestead]

I have a couple videos on tying tops that is in my Christmas tree watch list

[@kamlangworthy1104]

Has any customer bought Christmas Trees between December 26- November 20? During the holiday season what are the business hours and are you open everyday?

[@FlanaganHomestead]

Never sold one other than Thanksgiving week to Christmas Day.

[@willhoma3754]

Have you ever done pot grown trees? Any advice?

[@FlanaganHomestead]

We have not. We considered it an decided, for us it wasn’t worth the extra time, cost and effort. There is a market for them though if you produce good trees.

[@tomsampson8084]

@@FlanaganHomestead I agree. We had a relatively small farm and wanted to make some money while waiting for that first crop to reach harvest. The labor and time to sell live trees just didn't work for us.