Ever wonder how Christmas trees can have such a perfect shape at Christmas? It all comes down to proper shearing!
Hidden Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Clyde, Ohio hosted a shearing clinic for newer growers last Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Why think about Christmas Trees in July. Because that’s when some varieties best respond to shearing. Pines, both Scots Pine and White Pine need to be sheared when new grow elongates but has not hardened off. That’s typically right after July 4th.
Fir trees are a little more forgiving on when they are sheared. Firs grown in Ohio include Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, and occasionally Fraser Fir. Firs in general can be pruned after the growth has elongated.
In addition, Spruce are grown as Christmas trees in Ohio. Spruce includes Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce and Black Hills Spruce, a variety of White Spruce.
Shearing a tree is an art. Jeff Grieg, of Greig’s Christmas Tree Farm in Ashtabula, Ohio and Allen Binger, the host, of Hidden Pines Christmas tree farm on Clyde Ohio demonstrated the techniques of shearing. Jay Jordan from Evenstar Acres, Mt Gilead, Ohio, and Jeff Riley, from Riley’s Tree Farm in Dundee, Michigan were in attendance.
The most important parts are getting the top right. Several times during the demonstration it was said, "Everyone wants to be the leader!" That’s true for Christmas trees. There may be 3 or 4 or more competing leaders. One needs to be selected; the others terminated. The other aspect of shearing is taper. There are industry standards for correct taper of Christmas trees by species.
The National Christmas Tree Association has great information on promoting 'Real Christmas Trees': https://realchristmastrees.org/
But then there is individual preference of customers. Some want a wide bushy tree. Others want a tree 10 feet tall but only 4 feet wide. Experience plays into what ‘your’ customers want.
In a nutshell, growing Christmas trees in more than just planting seedlings and waiting 7 to 10 years for them to grow and let people come and cut them. There is weed control, fertilization, insect, and disease control, mowing and the most time-consuming part, shearing.
So next time you pick that perfect tree for Christmas, know there was a lot of care, and a little love that went into making your ‘Perfect Christmas Tree’.
If you are plan on attending the Ohio State Fair, don’t forget to check out the Grand Champion Christmas Tree along with all the entries in the Natural Resource building. The contest is sponsored by the Ohio Christmas Tree Growers Association.