Latest news with #ChristmasTrees
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
What goes into growing Christmas trees
Christmas is still months away, but Christmas trees don't just magically appear. Someone has to grow them. Peter Kappeler of Fir Ever Green Tree Farm gives CBC a tour of his holiday crop.
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Christmas tree growers keep watchful eye on spread of dangerous mould
Christmas tree growers in Atlantic Canada are monitoring the spread of a disease and looking for ways to combat it. Phytophthora abietivora, a destructive form of mould first identified in 2017 — although it has probably been around undetected for much longer — is causing root rot primarily in Fraser and balsam fir trees. Matthew Wright, treasurer of the Christmas Trees Atlantic Association and a crop protection expert, said imported seedlings may have brought the disease into Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where localized outbreaks have occurred. "It's not anything to be casual about," he said. The disease is spread through soil, water, infected plant material and contaminated equipment. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the disease spread from the northeastern U.S. to Quebec and Ontario. In Quebec, it was reported in forest nurseries and Christmas tree plantations where it caused root rot. In Ontario, it has been found in samples from forested areas but is not associated with any disease. Wright said the disease is a slime mould and belongs to an ancient group of organisms between algae and fungi. "They have swimming spores that move through moist soil to infect new trees," he said. "That's why drainage is one of the real keys to managing it." The mould produces thick-walled spores that can survive in soil for decades, meaning that once it is in a field it is almost impossible to eliminate. Wright said a warming climate in the region may be worsening the problem. Frozen soils had frosts that went deep enough to kill off most mould species, Wright said. But with milder winters, the frost isn't penetrating as deeply, and the mould is surviving. He said growers can reduce the chance of losses by improving drainage and planting on raised beds. Wright said if the disease spreads to natural stands of trees the consequences could be devastating. Infected trees should be removed and burned to prevent further contamination. Research efforts Wright said researchers are exploring ways to fight the disease. In North Carolina, he said scientists are grafting Fraser fir onto momi fir rootstock, an Asian species that has developed "bulletproof" resistance to the mould. Wright said Canadian researchers, led by a team in Quebec, are using DNA sequencing to track the pathogen's spread and test potential biological controls. MORE TOP STORIES
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Root rot attacks some Nova Scotia Christmas trees
Root rot (Phytophthora) is taking aim at some of Nova Scotia's Christmas tree lots. 'Last spring we started seeing some rot and so I got a specialist in to get a look at it and we sent some off to get tested and confirmed it was root rot,' says tree grower, Colin Hughes. So far only Fraser fir trees seem to be affected and not the more common balsam firs. It's believed the root rot came from young trees brought into the province 'I've got balsams growing right alongside a dying Fraser and our balsams are doing very well, so we have got our fingers crossed with our native balsams,' Hughes says. 'This was seed or seedlings that we purchased from nurseries and brought them here.' That's a bit of a blessing for Hughes who bought 15,000 Fraser fir trees in response to demand. He said local producers can't grow enough trees to satisfy the market. Root rot attacks the roots of trees and prevents them from absorbing water and nutrients until they wilt and die. 'We've never had to deal with it in our more northern climates largely because we always had frost that would go 6 to 8 inches deep and that would freeze out the spore stage of the disease,' says Canadian Christmas Tree Association committee member, Matthew Wright. He says climate change is playing a roll in root rot's spread. Warmer winters are providing the right conditions for phytophthora to take hold. 'This particular disease has a swimming spore stage so it depends on a wet soil to actually swim to the roots and it only attacks roots when they're actively growing in the spring or fall,' said Wright. Colin Hughes said all he can do is watch and hope his losses are minimal and his balsams stay healthy. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts Sound the Alarm on New Invasion Threatening Christmas Tree Farms
Invasive insects that resemble tiny wasps are quietly spreading across the United States, threatening pine trees, and experts say Christmas tree farms could be next. The Cool Down reported that European pine sawflies (Neodiprion sertifer) have been actively feeding on pine needles in Washington's Pierce County, and their slow but steady spread could pose a real risk to ornamental and plantation pines this summer. Sawfly larvae, which hatch from eggs laid in pine needles in the spring, can feed together in groups of dozens, stripping older needles clean, even if younger foliage remains safe. While they don't typically kill large trees, repeated feeding can stunt growth and create unsightly bald patches, which is a significant concern for growers and homeowners alike. These insects were first spotted in Washington in 2008, but their spread has been gradual since adult sawflies are poor fliers. Instead, they hitch rides on infested nursery stock, mulch, or soil, making nurseries and Christmas tree farms particularly vulnerable. The aesthetic damage is more than just cosmetic. 'It's the most common sawfly found infesting landscapes and Christmas tree plantations,' according to the University of Wisconsin, which notes these sawflies thrive in pines like Scots, red, Jack, and Mugo—common species in holiday tree lots. If you spot pine needles stripped bare like a bottle brush, you may have a sawfly infestation. These larvae can consume huge patches of older needles before moving on. While trees usually survive, the lasting effects can take a toll on growth and appearance. Experts recommend regular monitoring from spring through early summer. For light infestations, simply knocking larvae off or pruning affected branches may do the trick. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps can help against young larvae, while more persistent outbreaks may require targeted insecticides like acephate or spinosad. Natural predators, including certain birds, wasps, and small mammals, also feed on sawflies and their cocoons, offering a built-in defense mechanism. For Christmas tree farmers and homeowners who value healthy pines, early detection and control are key. Combined with native plantings that support wildlife, these steps can help prevent sawfly damage and protect future holiday trees. So, before you hang that ornament or wreath, take a close look at your pine branches. A handful of hungry sawflies now could mean a thinner, weaker tree come Sound the Alarm on New Invasion Threatening Christmas Tree Farms first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 3, 2025
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kentucky Christmas trees repurposed into fish habitats by Fish and Wildlife
MUHLENBERG COUNTY, Ky. (WEHT) — The Christmas season is over for humans, but not for fishes. In Muhlenberg County, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife carried out its Christmas for Fishes program. In January, real Christmas trees were collected at the Grimes Avenue Transfer station in Owensboro. It's an unexpected pair: Lake Malone and Christmas Trees. Spencer Phillips, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife's Fish Habitat Biologist, says the evergreens are perfect for fish to feed, reproduce and live in. 5K on the Runway returns to Evansville 'You get something out of what would just be trash,' says Phillips. 350 Christmas trees were loaded onto a boat on Tuesday, before sending them crashing into the lake's water. 'Putting these into the lake…they'll slowly decay still. While they're decaying, they grow other stuff on them that help attract smart fish such as largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie to them as well for anglers to target,' says Phillips. The Muhlenberg County lake undergoes fish sampling every year, but haven't gotten as much attention when it comes to habitat investments. Stacks of around 70 trees were transported to areas based on a creel study. The study draws from fishing lover's feedback. 'A lot of the guys wanted structure on the cliff walls for those crappie [fish]. So, we're adding these Christmas trees. We're going to come back with gas pipe trees that have bigger branches,' says Maddy Ruble, the Assistant Fisheries Biologist for Northwestern Fisheries District. With the push of a button, the stack of trees are dropped down in one swoop and then marked with a floating GPS tracker. 'We know that fish like height. We are kind of focusing this habitat a little bit more towards the crappie today. So, they typically like about 15 to 20 feet of depth,' says Ruble. Phillips says areas with evergreen donations see 500% more fish than areas without the tree drop-offs. GPS coordinates are shared on the fish and wildlife website for fishing lovers looking to increase their luck. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
