Poplar for siding a Barn.....

   / Poplar for siding a Barn..... #21  
Funny you say that because that is exactly what I did on my barn when I built it. The wife wanted a wood barn, I said I'm only gonna do this once, vertical vinyl = nice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Poplar for siding a Barn.....
  • Thread Starter
#22  
Xmas,

I didn't know that Fraziers werent happy below 3000'. My place is 1100 in the pasture and 1500/1600 at the top of the ridge. I guess that i have to research what Xmas trees will grow best at my elevation. Are Blue Spruce a possibility?

RD
 
   / Poplar for siding a Barn..... #23  
The type of Christmas tree you can grow is affected by a bunch of factors: altitude, soil type, exposure, rainfall, etc. The best thing to do is look around at what others are growing in your area.

If you are really interested in growing Fraizers but can't (and they are tricky -- both MD and PA nursuries have trouble with them), you might try Canaan Firs. These are from a valley in W. VA and they look exactly like Fraizers but are much easier to grow. Another tree to consider is a Concolor Fir (also known as a White Fir). These have semi-long needles with a light bluish cast to them. They make a very pretty, lacy looking tree and -- this is the cool part -- they smell like tangerines (no, really, they smell like tangerines).

Generally the easiest and fastest tree to grow is white pine. I'd avoid Scotch Pine because they are harder to shear well and very prickley to touch.

When you buy your planting stock, get "transplants" not "seedlings." Transplants have been moved out of the seed bed and planted in a field for a few years. They have a better root system and are much hardier -- the weaker ones having failed in the transplant.

There's a naming system for this: x-y
x=years in the seedbed,
y=years in the field.
A tree sold as 4-0 is a 4 year-old seedling; a 2-2 is a 4 year-old tree but has been transplanted for 2 years. The 2-2 will be slightly more expensive but it's well worth it.

Its best to buy trees locally if you can -- they are used to the climate and they don't suffer from shipping. If you get them through the mail, try to get them as close as possible to lessen the time in the truck. Also, some northern growers pull their stock in the fall because their ground stays frozen into late spring. Keeping these trees in a fridge over the winter is an inexact science and results may vary.
 
   / Poplar for siding a Barn.....
  • Thread Starter
#24  
DR,

Wow...i have alot to learn, & thanks for the info. I had no idea that X-mas trees require so much intel. Ahhhh, more "stuff" to learn after retirement /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif...where will all the time go?

RD
 
   / Poplar for siding a Barn..... #25  
DrRod -

That was a heck of a post, thanks for taking the time to write it. Makes me want to start growing christmas trees, for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Speaking of which, happy holidays in advance,

John D.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2017 FREIGHTLINER CORONADO SD122 DAY CAB (A54313)
2017 FREIGHTLINER...
2007 Reitnouer 40 Ton T/A Heavy Haul Flatbed Trailer (A52377)
2007 Reitnouer 40...
2015 PCI MFG. SOLUTIONS 130 BBL STEEL VACUUM TRAILER (A53843)
2015 PCI MFG...
197711 (A51244)
197711 (A51244)
2010 Ford Edge SE SUV (A51694)
2010 Ford Edge SE...
2019 VOLVO L70H WHEEL LOADER (A52706)
2019 VOLVO L70H...
 
Top