Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario 2023 Field Day
By Katie Devenny and Kelsey Leonard
Ever wonder who grows your Christmas tree and what goes into the growing process?
University of Waterloo’s Christmas Tree Lab had the opportunity to learn directly from local farmers at the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario’s Field Day on August 19, 2023, at Chickadee Christmas Tree Farm.
The lab learned a lot from the group of knowledgeable Christmas tree farmers and Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) , from how to manage pests to innovative land management practices utilizing cover crops.
The CTFO had a well-rounded schedule of information sessions, which opened discussions and knowledge sharing.
The Day at a Glance
The day opened with a presentation from the University of Waterloo Christmas Tree Lab research team introducing our current research projects. Farmers across Ontario were buzzing with excitement when they learned about the groundbreaking research being conducted right in their own province. Rather than having to depend on information from the United States or Eastern Provinces, they felt a surge of hope and optimism knowing that they could rely on the expertise of local researchers. The future of Christmas trees was the topic of passionate discussions, as farmers eagerly absorbed all the knowledge about the potential benefits and advancements in this field. In fact, some farmers went a step further and enthusiastically put forth suggestions for future research projects that they believed would directly benefit the industry and their farms. This exchange of ideas between experienced farmers and researchers ignited a sense of pride and collaboration within the community, further solidifying the importance of fostering local talent and innovation.
Chickadee Christmas Tree Farm Tour
Christmas Fun
Joe and his family were eager to present guests with a delightful tour of their farm. This included information about activities they have implemented across their farm for guests to interact with as they went about selecting pre-cut or cut-your-own Christmas trees. This included homemade games such as ring toss and ball toss and Christmas-relevant interactive signs along the nature trail that families enjoy as they travel back and forth to the tree fields.
Christmas Tree Science
As we approached the rows of Christmas trees, Joe explained the colour-coded flagging tape on the trees. Chickadee used a site-specific cultivation method, which supported the individual soil needs of each conifer species. The farm is situated on a moraine, with rolling hills, so the soil types ranged from sandy, which pines tend to do best in, to loamy soils, which firs prefer.
Joe also pointed out that they did not have any trees planted near their Black Walnut trees that separated fields. He explained that this was due to a chemical called juglone the walnut trees release into the soil, essentially poisoning surrounding plant life. To learn more about Walnut toxicity, please read OMAFRA’s information here.
Biodegradable tree baling and demonstration
Joe and Allison at Chickadee Farms have developed their very own sustainable way to manage plastic waste at their farm- biodegradable, organic cotton baling for trees! Christmas tree baling helps customers easily transport their trees into their homes, keeping bushy limbs and needles contained until they are ready to set it up. A few weeks prior to the Field Day, Joe buried the plastic baling, alongside his biodegradable alternative to be dug up as a demonstration. The plastic was dug up with no signs of decay, whereas the cotton had decayed, illustrating its biodegradable capacity to farmers in attendance. For more information on this product, please visit Chickadee Christmas Tree Farm’s page here.
Bio Tree Net is a biodegradable netting that has been developed to replace single use plastic netting. It is now available to purchase in 100% Cotton. http://www.chickadeechristmastrees.ca/bio-tree-net.html
Christmas Tree Farmer’s Perspectives on Ground Cover
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) wanted to hear from Field Day participants regarding how they manage the space in between their rows of Christmas trees. Some farmers shared that they did not use ground cover to prevent weed growth around their trees, stating that they wanted to conserve water. Others shared that the ground cover harboured beneficial insects that helped mitigate pests on their Christmas trees, such as ladybugs for aphids. Planting ground cover also seemed to prevent deer from chewing on young trees, potentially ruining the trees.
During the discussion, farmers also talked about the usefulness of DIY-made seeder tools that were designed to help them lay their seed mixes between rows in a controlled manner. It was agreed by many that the rows were often too narrow for conventional farming equipment. Additionally, OMAFRA shared various seed mixes for farmers to observe and pass along. This allowed farmers to see how different cover crops thrived in different types of soil.
Christmas Tree Pests and Diseases
To wrap up CTFO’s field day, John Patterson, an Entomologist from Somerville Nurseries, discussed a variety of potential pests farmers may see on their Christmas trees - from spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis) to bark beetles, a variety of insects were discussed, along with ways to manage them.
John emphasized the importance of integrated pest management and how it helps the ecosystem. He explained that it's not always necessary to use chemicals to control pests because nature can usually handle them. Sometimes, applying chemicals during specific seasons is enough. In integrated pest management, chemicals are used as a last option when populations are imbalanced.
Excited for the year ahead
At CTFO's field day, researchers from the Christmas Tree Lab had the wonderful opportunity to engage with local farmers, fostering valuable connections and further expanding our knowledge of the complex layers of the Christmas tree industry in Ontario. The event was filled with excitement and enthusiasm as researchers and farmers came together, exchanging insights and experiences. However, the true highlight of the day was undoubtedly the highly anticipated end-of-day shearing presentation. This engaging session demonstrated steps for seasonal care for Christmas trees, enlightening attendees with essential information and expert techniques that can ensure the optimal growth and beauty of these beloved symbols of the holiday season.
The Christmas Tree Lab is excited for the upcoming year, as we look forward to deepening our connections with local farmers and fostering fruitful collaborations with CTFO. We are especially eager for the next field day, where we can gather together, exchange knowledge, and explore innovative strategies to enhance protections for Christmas trees. Join us on this exciting journey as we embark on new discoveries and innovations, ensuring the magic of Christmas while safeguarding our planet.