AgBioResearch

Michigan Christmas Tree Industry Research Priorities

1. Plantation management
   o Managing cone formation in Fraser fir (e.g., PGR’s or herbicides to reduce the cost of picking cones).
   o Improving seedling/transplant establishment
   o Improving nutrient management in plantations and nursery
   o Improved genetics for Michigan (seed orchard development, new tree selection)
2. Integrated pest management
   o Emerging pest issues – Hemlock and balsam woolly adelgid, spotted lanternfly, midges, etc.
   o Evaluate new pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides) for use in Christmas tree production
   o Non-chemical weed control (e.g., mulches, over crops)
   o Herbicide resistance issues – Stinger, Velpar and Round-up
   o Organic options
3. Farm management
   o Understanding costs production
   o Consumer preferences and marketing
4. Irrigation
   o Understanding of irrigation monitoring and needs
   o Impact of vegetative and non-vegetative impact on irrigation needs
   o Impact of seedling establishment in regard to irrigation
   o Assessment of methods and new technologies in irrigation

Updated August 2024