KENTUCKY CHRISTMAS TREE PRODUCTION WORKBOOK:
PRODUCTION CALENDAR
ISSUED: 4-86
REVISED: 8-91
Bonnie L. Appleton
January
•recover from Christmas!
•survey for deer and rodent damage,
erect raptor perches
•summarize previous year's activities,
sales and expenses; prepare tax records
•begin removing or treating old stumps
•other:
February
•prune out double leaders, uneven branch
growth on young trees
•apply pre-emergent herbicides
•survey for winter damage
•monitor for frost heaving of newly
planted seedlings
•calibrate spray equipment
•other:
March
•prepare land for spring planting,
line out or flag planting areas
•apply pre-emergent herbicides
•begin spring planting
•other:
April
•finish spring planting
•apply pre-emergent herbicides
•fertilize trees if necessary
•sharpen pruning equipment, mower blades,
etc.
•begin surveying for pest problems
(sawfly, needlecasts) and treat as needed.
•begin vegetation control if appropriate
•mulch newly planted trees if a good,
inexpensive mulch is available
•other:
May
•continue pest monitoring (aphids,
bagworms, pinetip moth, needle blight, previous list)
•begin shearing when trees are at the
right stage of growth (especially for Virginia pine)
•continue vegetation control
•other:
June
•continue pest monitoring (Pales weevil,
previous lists)
•complete shearing
•continue vegetation control
•contact potential markets
•order wreath and baling supplies
•other:
July
•continue pest monitoring (previous
lists)
•continue vegetation control
•order seedlings for fall planting
•other:
August
•continue pest monitoring (previous
lists)
•continue vegetation control
•shear Virginia pine again
•clean shearing equipment
•begin site preparation for next spring's
planting
•other:
September
•prepare advertising
•continue pest monitoring (previous
lists)
•plant alternative ground covers
•order seedlings for spring planting
•other:
October
•Complete advertising materials
•complete pest monitoring
•color trees if desired
•finish vegetation control
•prepare land for fall planting, line
out or flag planting areas
•clean mowers, trimmers, sprayers
•tag trees to be cut, sharpen saws
•order pre-emergent herbicides
•soil test for fertilizer needs
•other:
November
•place advertising, put up signs
•ready plantation or sales lot, begin
selling
•plant fall seedlings, mulch if possible
•other:
December
•SELL, SELL, SELL -- go to Bank!
•Have a Merry Christmas!!