Registration open for MSU Christmas tree summer meeting

Bill Lindberg<lindbe35@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - May 09, 2024

Learn about Christmas tree management at MSU research station and tour Tannenbaum Farms.

A Christmas tree field. — Photo 1. Successful weed control in Christmas tree field. Photo by Bill Lindberg, MSU Extension.

Michigan State University Extension is hosting a Christmas Tree Summer Field Day on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Michigan State University (MSU) Horticulture Teaching and Research Center, 3291 College Road Holt, MI 48842. Registration is now open. Join the MSU Extension Christmas tree team for a field day event focusing on weed management, pruning and shearing, and research updates.

Successful weed management is critical for successful tree production (Photo 1). Participants will learn how to identify weed species and best control options. Participants will also be able to view herbicide trials and observe the performance of different products. In addition to weed control, pruning and shearing decisions also greatly impact the value of the trees at harvest. Participants will see a demonstration of how to fix deer damaged trees and learn the how-to’s of Christmas tree shearing and pruning.

This field day will begin at the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center and include stops at the MSU Tree Research Station and Tannenbaum Farms.

Lunch will be provided at no cost to participants, but registration is required. Space is limited. We have applied for restricted use pesticide credits for Michigan private and commercial core licenses.

If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Bill Lindberg at lindbe35@msu.edu to discuss.

Agenda

Location: MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center, 3291 College Rd, Holt, MI 48842

10 – 10:45 a.m. Problem Weeds? Weed Identification and Control Methods, Debalina Saha, MSU

10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Why Shear? Background of What, Why, When and How to Shear Christmas Trees, Bill Lindberg, MSU Extension

11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. Weed Management Program: Putting it Together. Emphasis of Herbicide Products, Adjuvants and Weed Resistance, Debalina Saha, MSU

12 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch (provided at no cost)

12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Travel to MSU Tree Research Station, 5640 E. Jolly Rd, Lansing, MI 48910

12:45 – 1:15 p.m. Research Updates: Delayed Coning, Tree Species Selection and Exotic Firs Trial Block, Bert Cregg, MSU

1:15 – 1:30 p.m. Travel time to Tannenbaum Farms, 2515 Sandhill Rd, Mason, MI 48854

1:30 – 2 p.m. Tour Tannenbaum Farms, Jason Buher and Melvin Koelling

2 – 2:30 p.m. Weed Control Demonstration Plots, Debalina Saha, MSU

2:30 – 3 p.m. Pruning and Shearing: Fixing Deer Damaged Trees

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).