Christmas trees.

[Dave and Verity]

Anybody had any experience with the above? We are thinking of a smallish qty. for our own use and maybe a few extra to sell on. Say 20 or so.

Dave

[Wendelspanswick]

Some friends planted about 200 a few years ago, they sold about 20 after 3 years, another 20 in the following 2 years and now they can't sell any more as they are too big, unless you live in a castle!

[Whatisheatnow]

Thousands of acres were planted in Ireland about 15 years ago, aiming for the German market. The Danes had the same idea at the same time and there was a glut. You need slow growing trees so that the layers of branches are close together after each years growth. In practice this means poor soil and a north facing slope to reduce availability of light. Higher altitude helps slow growth also. Weed and grass control is needed. The branches can do with a light pruning at the ends every year to produce a fuller "bushy" effect rather than something tall and stringy. What looks like a nice sized small tree outdoors can look gigantic indoors.

[Dave and Verity]

Sounds like I might just try a few. Do they need much in the way of rabbit/deer protection?

Dave

[davetb]

Beware.
The trees felled on my LANTRA course - small tree felling - were 20 year old 'christmas' trees that hadn't sold and had overgrown. The farmer, who planted them was too busy at Christmas to ever harvest and sell them. Now the farmer could only fell them with a felling licence from the forestry commission and had to follow a native replanting plan ( even though he'd planted them on a steep bank which had never had trees ).
It was a disaster for him. That bank is now classified as a wood by the FC. It has involved huge expense and work.