Press Release
For Immediate Release: February 24, 2005
Christmas Tree Growers Award $11,750 for Research Grants
The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA) awarded
$11,750 for two research grants at its Winter Conference held in Harrisburg
in January. Outgoing PCTGA President Gary Westlake, Sr., general manager
of Westlake Tree Farm, Pottstown, Chester County, said the results of
PCTGA-supported research is extremely important for the economic viability
of Christmas tree growers in Pennsylvania.
Both projects are being conducted by Dr. Rick Bates, Assistant Professor,
Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State.
The two grants will support the following projects:
- Evaluation, Selection and Propagation of Rhabdocline Resistant
Lincoln Douglas-Fir - $4,000) Researchers will locate, evaluate, and select
Rhabdocline resistant Douglas-fir derived from the Lincoln National
Forest, and will
asexually propagate selected Douglas-fir using grafting and rooted
cuttings. Each year the needlecast disease Rhabdocline (Rhabdocline
pseudotsugae)
affects countless acres of Douglas fir across Pennsylvania., and
can be devastating to Christmas tree farms and can set back salability
by
years. To date, there is no existing program in the eastern U.S.
actively engaged in propagating disease resistant Douglas-fir.
- Developing Improved Seed Sources of Canaan Fir Christmas Trees - $7,750) This project will establish a Canaan fir seed orchard, building on previous PCTGA funding for Christmas tree improvement and the needle retention research foundation established at PSU over the past three years. In year one, researchers will graft improved selections of Canaan fir onto appropriate rootstock and maintain containerized grafts, and secure and prepare a clonal seed orchard site at PSU Horticulture Farm. In year two, they will establish a Canaan fir clonal seed orchard at PSU Horticulture Farm, and provide vegetation control and irrigation to the clonal orchard during establishment.
In acknowledging the grants, Bates said, “The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association continues to generously support my Christmas tree research at Penn State. Often, funding sources dry up quickly making it difficult to build upon previous accomplishments. But PCTGA has consistently provided support since my arrival at PSU, over four years ago. This funding allows me, and other PSU researchers, to focus our attention on issues critically important to the industry. Indeed, many of my applied research projects that target problems specific to Pennsylvania have no other source of funding.”
Research results are made available to members and are presented at each Winter Conference.
The Research Committee is headed by Ron Mancabelli of E-Mar Acres Tree Farm, Saltsburg, PA. Other members include: Anthony Breighner, National Tree Co., Millersville, MD; Laura Carino, Carino Nurseries, Indiana, PA; J.D. and Randy Fleming, Fleming's Christmas Tree Farms LLC, Indiana, PA; Ted and Nancy Jacobsen, Ecology III Christmas Tree Farm, Orangeville, PA; Galen May, Pine View Haven, St. Thomas, PA; Mehrl Mayne, Mayne Tree Farm, Buckeystown, MD; Richard and Mary McClellan, McClellan's Tree Farm, Middleburg, PA; Donald Nyberg, Wyndwood Nursery, Carlisle, PA; Larry Pauling, Pauling's Tree Farm, Hughesville, PA; Gordon Repine, Remodeler's Workshop, Pleasant Gap, PA; Jim Rockis, Quarter Pine Tree Farm, Morgantown, WV; David and Nancy Shellhamer, Whispering Pines Tree Farm, Breinigsville, PA; Russell Wagner, TLC Tree Farm, Hegins, PA; and Holden Wolfe, Pine Valley Farms, Sykesville, MD.
The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, with over 400 members, works to promote and develop a community of interest among growers of Christmas trees in Pennsylvania and adjoining states, as well as to raise public awareness about Christmas trees.
CONTACT: Georgene Thompson, 717-243-1349, georgenethompson@comcast.net