Christmas Trees
Michigan Christmas Tree Industry Research Priorities 2021
- Reducing/eliminating cone production
• Look at using PGR’s or herbicides to reduce the cost of picking cones.
• Evaluate other plantation management that may influence early coning. - Weed management
• Evaluate new herbicides for use in Christmas tree production. Particularly broadleaf
herbicides to use after bud break and mile-a-minute horseweed.
• The effects of long term glyphosate use on tree growth
• Herbicide programs to use with ground covers
• Herbicide resistance issues – Stinger, Velpar and Round-up - Improved Genetic
• Help establish seed orchards
• Crosses with fir’s – example: Concolor X Fraser
• CoFirG trials of Turkish fir
• Develop trials looking at traits for “target” seedling vs just height (example caliper,
root shoot ratio) to improve establishment. - Cover Crops• Evaluate cover crops options that would be most beneficial for Christmas tree production. Both pre-planting and post-planting.
- Pest Management (insects and diseases)
• Evaluate new fungicides for use in Christmas tree production
• Emerging pest issues – Hemlock and balsam woolly adelgid, midges, etc.
• Sustainable pest management
• Ways to get off the pesticide treadmill
• Organic options - Nutrient management
• Fall applications for harvest and continued field growth (slow and quick release)
• Fall nursery trials for spring outplanting
• Fall Year One fertilizer benefits
• Rates and timing to maintain color at harvest
Updated October 2021