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Our Christmas Trees |
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5 Acres, House, Outbuildings & 7,500 Christmas Trees $634,587 FOR SALE BY OWNER |
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This page is for those interested in knowing what is involved in raising a Christmas Tree. We presently grow FRASER FIR, CONCOLOR FIR, BLUE SPRUCE and WHITE PINE. There are smaller numbers of White Spruce and Canaan Fir. All trees can be wrapped in netting for easy handling with our complimentary Christmas Tree disposal bag. Prices for Christmas 2007. Connecticut grown ready-to-cut short needle spruce and fir are $45 and White Pine are $35. Half price trees are $20. Helpers were available cut your tree or you can allow your customers to cut their own. |
| Fraser Fir is a North Carolina Balsam. It has emerald green needles that are silvery, white on the bottom side and is our most popular tree. It is long lasting with good needle retention. On our site, it has been resistant to insects and disease until the last several years. | Concolor Fir is another import this time from the southwest. It has a longer blue-green needle. Again it is long lasting with excellent needle retention. It has a distinctive citrus-like aroma. My own observation is there is as much variation in fragrance between trees of the same species as there is between species themselves. Crunch a needle to be sure you are getting a fragrant one. |
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| Blue Spruce is another import from the west. The needles vary from dark green to a distinctive blue. While the needles are very sharp (best to decorate it with gloves), the branches are sturdy and it is the best for holding heavy ornaments. It is the heaviest of the trees we grow. Needle retention is moderate. | White Pine is native and, as such, very hardy. We have excellent success with our White Pine winning repeatedly at the Bethlehem Fair and in 2000 were New England Champs at the Big E. White Pine has long, soft, blue-green needles. It looks beautiful with small lights and light weight ornaments. Needle retention is excellent. Carole says “keep it up ‘til Easter”. |
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Christmas Tree Farming Calendar |
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January-Put away all equipment. Pay sales tax. Up date inventory and data base. |
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| February-March- Clear property and cut fire wood | |
| April- When the Forsythia first begins to turn yellow, spray the leaders of the white pines and the blue Spruce for white pine weevils. When the frost is out of the ground begin planting the potted transplants into the plantation. Plant next to past year's tree's stump. Plant 5 Ft on the diagonal-2000 trees per acre. Treat white pine stumps for pales weevils. Reuse the empty pots for planting seedlings in April or in the fall. Plant purchased seedlings into pots in the nursery bed and cover with leaves to hold the moisture. Would like to have 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. If it is dry, may to water the nursery beds. |
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| May- Spray herbicide to kill grass around each tree. | |
| June- In mid June mow grass between the trees and shear white pines. Trim leaders on the spruce and fir. | |
| July- Take your vacation. Go biking or hiking. | |
| August- Mow grass between trees. Shear the fir and the spruce. (Can, also mow and shear well into Fall) Spray oil/Greenzit for scale on the fir trees. | |
| September- In early September spray herbicide treatment to kill grass around each tree. Fall planting of transplants if required. Mark spots for planting next spring by marking with ashes. Then spray the spots with an herbicide. |
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| October- Make up bows for wreaths. Write newsletter and print mailing labels. Set up ads for web site. On October 31, hang out the opening date sign. | |
| November- Order seedlings for the coming year. Order tree sale supplies. Mail out newsletter in mid November. Record answering machine message. Cut greens for wreath making and begin making wreaths mid November. Set up labor schedule. Convert the garage into a Christmas Shop the week of Thanksgiving. Open Thanksgiving weekend. | |
| December- Sell trees all month closing Christmas Eve day. Count money | |
| During the year- Attend as many Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers meetings as possible. There is an annual meeting in March, three twilight meetings during the summer, and an all day field meeting in the fall. There are other state, regional, national meetings and courses offered in PA and NH. |
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551 South Plains Road 
Complimentary Hot Cocoa & Donuts
