Notes on Forestry and Wood-Use
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Lafayette, Indiana
Mimeo F-17 Revised, 1964
GROWING CHRISTMAS TREES IN INDIANA Edgar J. Lott, Extension Forester
The production of Christmas trees on formerly idle land is a relatively new but rapidly growing industry in Indiana. It is one way of placing some of these worn out, eroded or inaccessible areas on the income-producing side of the ledger. It is a form of tree planting which can also be combined with forest planting for timber production or other purposes.
The home-grown Christmas tree has several advantages; a few of which are:
1.	It can be cut just a few days or weeks before Christmas and will retain its freshness and fragrance well through the Holiday season.
2.	It can successfully compete in cost with shipped-in trees since the long haul and high transportation cost are eliminated.
3.	It can be grown and managed to be far superior in form and quality to shipped-in trees which are quite frequently natural-grown trees produced by thinnings.
4.	It is a local product, bringing in local income and at the same time putting to good use land which would otherwise be waste land.
5.	A freshly cut home-grown Christmas tree, if properly handled and placed in water,
will remain fire resistant in the home throughout the Season.
Species to Use
Most any coniferous, or evergreen, tree has been or can be used for Christmas trees. However, the species listed in the attached table are best suited, with the exceptions as noted, for growing under Indiana conditions.
In general, the pines grow the best and seem to be in the greatest demand, especially red pine, scotch pine and white pine.
It should be remembered that free technical service in the selection of species to fit your particular site conditions can be obtained from your nearest service, district, or extension forester. His name can be obtained from your county Extension agent.
Where to Get Planting Stock
The state tree nurseries grow and sell, at low cost, planting stock suitable for Christmas trees. Order blanks are usually available by September and orders are taken up to the end of February each year, on a "first come, first served" basis, for delivery in early spring. Order blanks are obtainable from county agents, service foresters, district foresters and extension foresters, or by writing to the Division of Forestry, Room 607 State Office