Author(s): Ricky Bates, James Sellmer & David Despot
Where Published: HortScience
Date of Publication: December 2004
Subject Area: Needle retention, xylem pressure and quality of Canaan fir (Abies balsamia var. phanerolepis) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) were evaluated over a 40-day display period

Summary: Cut trees were displayed outdoors for 24, 48 or 96 hours. One-half of the trees had their bases cut before placement in a water stand. Results: Needle retention and color were excellent across all treatments for Fraser fir. Needle loss for Canaan fir began relatively soon during display, generally increased across all treatments and was highly variable. The need exists to identify seed sources for Canaan fir that have better postharvest characteristics.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
Ricky Bates
Department of Horticulture
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814/863=2198
E-mail: rmb30@psu.edu

Author(s): Gary Chastagner & Kathy Riley
Where Published: Christmas Tree Lookout Date of Publication: Summer 2001
Research Dates: 2000
Subject Area: Postharvest needle retention of 15 true fir species was tested displayed dry and in water.

Summary:
Methods
Freshly cut trees were transported to WSU Research and Extension Center at Puyallup, Wash., and tested in a temperature controlled room. In most cases, previous studies had been conducted for each species.

Results
All the Abies spp. tended to have very good to excellent moisture and needle retention when displayed in water. There was considerable variation when trees were displayed dry. Except for noble and Fraser fir, all others exhibited moderate to sever shedding within a few days. There was often tremendous tree to tree variation in needle shedding within a given species.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
Gary Chastagner
Western Washington Research and Extension Center
7612 Pioneer Way East
Puyallup, WA 98390
Phone: 253/445-4528
E-mail: chastag@wsu.edu

Author(s): Gary Chastagner
Where Published: Christmas Tree Lookout Date of Publication: Summer 2004
Research Dates: 2002-2003
Subject Area: True fir species (Abies spp.)

Summary:
Purpose
To determine the effect of harvest date and exposure to cold temperatures on needle retention.

Methods
Branches were harvested on Oct. 22, 2002; Dec. 3, 2002; and Jan. 14, 2003. Needle loss was evaluated after 3, 7 and 10 days by gently rubbing needles and rating the extent of needles that were shed.

Results
Needle loss varied by true fir species, but the early harvest dates experienced the greatest loss as expected. Loss also varied between individual trees within a species. This points out the possibility that selection of seed sources or of individual trees holds promise for producing trees with good needle-holding characteristics.

Generally speaking, noble, Korean, Shasta and Fraser firs performed the best in this test. Additional tests are being conducted to verify the results.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
Gary Chastagner
Western Washington Research and Extension Center
7612 Pioneer Way East
Puyallup, WA 98390
Phone: 253/445-4528
E-mail: chastag@wsu.edu

Author(s): Gary Chastagner
Where Published: American Christmas Tree Journal Date of Publication: October 2003
Research Dates: 2002
Subject Area: Concerns about moisture status of trees harvested in 2002 following an unusually dry summer and fall and unusually cold fall temperatures.

Summary:
Methods
Two trials were conducted: 1) Examine moisture content and keepability of freshly harvested trees in the Northwest; 2) Survey moisture content and keepability of freshly harvested trees on tree lots in WA, OR and CA.

Results
1) There was no effect on freshly harvested trees by the dry harvest conditions or cold winds in 2002.

2) 63 lots of various kinds were examined. Moisture contents were collected from 1,500 trees. Most of the samples were Douglas-fir and noble fir. Results at all retail lots, except those that typically did not have nursery or garden centers, had moisture contents very similar to those of freshly cut trees.

Most lots without nurseries often stored trees with minimal protection from heat and displayed them on wooden stands. Many of the trees sampled had dry below their critical mositure thresholds. Lots that protected the trees and displayed them in water had the greatest number of trees with adequate moisture levels.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
Gary Chastagner
Western Washington Research and Extension Center
7612 Pioneer Way East
Puyallup, WA 98390
Phone: 253/445-4528
E-mail: chastag@wsu.edu