Author(s): Gary Chastagner & Kathy Riley
Where Published: American Christmas Tree Journal
Date of Publication: October 2001
Research Dates: 2001
Subject Area: Address concerns about water-holding capacities after trees have been placed in stands.

Summary:

Methods
22 different stands were evaluated at WSU to determine the volume of water available for a range of tree sizes. Tree sizes were represented by wooden cylinders that ranged from 2 to 9 inches. Past research has determined that trees generally consume about 1 quart of water per day per inch of stem diameter. This was used as a standard when determining if the stands held acceptable amounts of water.

Results
Only 2 stands provided adequate amounts of water for all the different sizes they could hold. As sizes of trees increased, fewer stands held the volume of water expected to be used on a daily basis.

Bottom Line
The water-holding capacity of a stand with a tree displayed in it is more important to keep trees fresh than its capacity when empty or the ease of setup.

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 & Jim Puffer
Where Published: Christmas Tree Lookout Date of Publication: Summer 2005
Research Dates: 2004
Subject Area: Comparison of 5 different techniques of stump removal.

Summary:
Methods
A replicated trial was established at a recently harvested noble fir plantation in Oregon. Techniques tested were a Felcon grinder, Evergreen grinder, a track hoe with a "finish bucket," track hoe with a "brush rake" and an untreated biomass plot to determine the potential amount of debris in each plot.

Results
The best results were obtained by the excavator with the brush rake. All treatments reduced the amount of debris - grinders by more than 50% and excavators by 80% to 85%.

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