Minnesota Christmas Tree Association summer 2010 field days.
Phil, Helen, and Greg attended the two day MNCTA field days held this year at Turck’s Tree Farm near Litchfield. As opposed to the more marketing oriented convention held in February (see earlier post), the summer convention is heavily focused on the growing aspects of Christmas trees.
We had specialists in diseases, insects, and plant pathology from the University of Minnesota walk through the fields with us to help identify issues and corrective actions. We also had equipment demonstrations by several vendors. Helen also attended a wreath making session.
People often ask us how did we learn to grow trees. The short answer is through meetings such as this where you can meet and discuss problems with the experts and, most importantly, share your experiences with other growers. The long answer is now 27 years long–we planted our first trees in 1983.
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- Watching a shearing demonstration.
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- Discussing an insect problem found in a tree.
Our New Mascot!!!
We now have a new mascot. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) he’ll be sleeping somewhere when you come to visit us at Christmas so you won’t see him around.
The Blue Spruce are great, but I think I'll look around some more.
Maybe I'll just bypass the Balsam Fir for now.
Think I'll cross the creek and instead check out the Fraser Fir.
Planting the Class of 2020
Every Spring we commit ourselves to staying in business another 10-12 years and this Spring is no different. Our seedlings arrived in mid-April and we spent the next couple of weeks planting. We are now done with that and are now mulching each new tree. The next job is to get the drip irrigation connected up. Below are before, during, and after photos.
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- Done for the Season
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- New Seedlings Arrive
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- Planting
Trees for Troops 2009
If you have been to the farm at Christmas and seen the postors you know we participate in the Christmas Spirit Foundation Trees for Troops program. The results for last year (2009) are now in.
- Christmas tree growers nationwide donated 16,651 trees!
- There were about 800 participating farms from 29 states.
- Trees were delivered (by Fed Ex) to 52 military bases representing all branches. In addition, 280 trees were delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Trees for Troops tree finds a home
The Minnesota trees including those from Pinestead Tree Farms were delivered to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.
More information can be found at:
Winter 2010 Christmas Tree Convention
We attended the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association winter convention last weekend. It is held each year about this time (a summer convention is also held each July—more on that at that time). The winter conference is focused on presentations and panels while the summer conference is focused on field activities. This year we had both private industry and Univ. of Minn. speakers on topics as diverse as current economic conditions, business fundamentals, and web site
Educational session at MNCTA Winter 2010 Convention
requirements.
Helen especially liked a seminar on wreath making in which the speakers demonstrated making square wreaths for framing a window. My favorite were the round table discussion sessions where growers could share insights and respond to the questions and concerns of other growers. Spending time with fellow Christmas Tree growers always psychs me up for the spring planting season which is now only a little over a month away.
Christmas ‘09 Favorites
- Pinestead Tree at Capital
Guess which one is old enough to know that Santa can bring good things?
Win Some and Lose Some
Pinestead Fast Food Bar
Great Tree Care Idea
Today was the first day of what we call our “pre-opening” weekend–the weekend before Thanksgiving. We use this weekend to work all the bugs out ahead of our big opening on Thanksgiving Friday. Of course there is a lot of “where’s this”, “can’t find that”, “how do you”, and “this doesn’t work”. But one-by-one all systems are a go for next week.
This afternoon we had a woman come in to buy a Colorado Blue Spruce. Since it is a little early in the season for a Blue Spruce, we got to talking to her. Turns out she bought one here last year on the same Saturday before Thanksgiving and had it up through the new year holidays–without it sheading needles! The secret to her success was placing a small humidifier under the tree.
We always tell people to keep the tree well watered and don’t put it next to a heat source. We have never thought to say put the tree by a moisture source (or put a moisture source by it). It’s supprising how often and how much we are learning from our customers at the same time they are hopefully learning from us.
Guys Baked Apples Recipe
Hey guys–here is how to take credit for the highlight of the christmas dinner!
I have made baked apples several times. Serve them before the gifts are distributed and everyone will say how great they are.
- Take the required number of apples (I use Granny Smith, but whatever your preference). Cut them in half and scoop out the seeds.
- Set each half in a cake pan, but put a canned pineapple ring underneath it to hold it flat (neat trick huh). Dump the pineapple juice into the pan.
- Fill the scooped out hole with maple syrup and rub some around the entire top of the apple (I use the real stuff–a finger works better then a brush).
- Spread some brown sugar on the flat part of each apple and let a lot also fall off into the pan.
- Also mix together some cinnamon (a lot) and nutmeg (a little) and sprinkle it on.
- Place several canned Manderan orange slices on top of the brown sugar. If you have any left also dump them and the juice into the pan. Plus maybe a little more brown sugar to be on the safe side.
- That should be enough liquid, but you could also add apple cider or apple juice (good) or bourbon (better) or brandy (best). I have never skipped the other liquids and used beer; if you try it let me know how it tastes.
- Throw some dried fruit–cranberries, cherries, blueberries, etc., and some large walnut peices over the top.
- Bake at around 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until your pocketknife slides in easy.
- Or, if you’re really in a hurry to open your new toys, nuke them for a couple of minutes.
- Remember to take the credit.
They’ll want you to make dessert again next Christmas. So come back next year for another winner.
