CFS: Christmas Tree Plantation
History
This site has been modified by different users over the past 30 years. From 1985 to 1995, the site was a commercial conifer seedling nursery developed by Dr. Oscar Sziklai of the UBC Faculty of Forestry and run by Zika Srejic 1. The nursery produced 1 million one year old containerized lodgepole pine and some white spruce seedlings per year. Where the tarmac pads and covered drive-shed are located today, there was a large greenhouse where the tree-seedlings were germinated in styroblocks. They were then moved outdoors and placed on trestles to complete their growth. The nursery has since been dismantled, but there are several layers of woven plastic landscape fabric on the portions of this site that were occupied by trestles.
For a short time, the site was used by the Faculty of Land and Food Systems for a course on living sustainably. This course left behind structures once used for an outdoor kitchen, sealed barrels of humanure, and a volleyball court. Dr. John Worrall now uses the area for his love of burning wood scraps, and hosting barbecues for the Forestry Undergraduate Student work parties.
Today the area is managed by the Forestry Undergrad Society (FUS) as a Christmas Tree Farm. Established in 2006 by the graduating class of that year, various tree seedlings were planted to become rentable living and cut-trees for the holiday season. It takes a lot of mowing to keep the grass down between the rows of trees. The FUS is experimenting with growing some trees in large pots, with drip irrigation. The trees, donated by PRT Pelton Forest Regeneration Company, and Cairnpark Nursery Services, are now at the appropriate stage for renting through the FUS. For more information, please email fussocial@gmail.com or contact the Christmas Tree Farm Assistant Coordinator to rent your first living Christmas tree!
General
Elevation: 88 m above sea level
Aspect: South
Adjacency: Agroforestry trail, red alder plot, Children's Garden, tarmac and covered drive-in shed.
Average Height of Trees: 0.63 m
Surface fuels consist of deciduous leaf litter and herbs. Area covered with plastic landscape fabric.
Soil Profile
Forest Floor
Litter Layer:
Depth: 0.03 m
Structure: Loose
There is no presence of mycelial or fecal matter, however, there are plenty of medium sized roots.
Fermentation Layer: NONE
Humus Layer: NONE
Mineral Soil
| Horizon | Depth (m) | Colour | Texture | Course Frag. % (G/C/S) | Course Frag. Shape | Root Abundance/Size | Structure Class | Structure Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ah | 0.21 | 7.5YR 2/2 | Sand | 5/1/0 | Sub-angular Blocky | None | N/A | |
| Bf1 | 0.31 | 7.5YR 5/6 | Sand | 3/1/0 | Sub-angular Blocky | Few/Fine | N/A | Single Grain |
| Bf2 | 0.04 | 7.5YR 5/8 | Sand | 1/0/0 | Sub-angular Blocky | Few/Fine | N/A | Single Grain |
| C | 0.56+ | 2.5YR 7/1 | Cemented | N/A | N/A | None | Massive | Cemented |
Tree Layers
There is zero canopy cover in this area as the average tree is 0.6m in height.
Wildlife Trees and Large Woody Debris
Christmas trees that are dying or dead are removed from the site in order to free up nutrients and space for healthy trees instead of being left for a wildlife habitat. Unfortunately this area has a high level of mortality, particularly of the noble fir. This disease, Phytophthora, causes root rot, stem cankers, foliar chlorosis, branch flagging, desiccation and death to the Abies and is easily spread through the summer irrigation and poor drainage in the centre of the Christmas tree farm.
Wildlife
This open area gives a unique area for sunbathers to relax on the soft grassy ground. It is common to see a coyote resting in the back area of the plantation; there are traces of small footpaths and pressed down grass. If you are lucky, you may see the coyote poking his head up at the sound of your noise!
Also frequenting this site are dragonflies such as the Eight and Four-spotted Skimmers,and the Blue-eyed Darners.
Critical Thinking
What does the 'perfect' Christmas tree look like? Does everyone like the same things in a Christmas tree? (Even Charlie Brown?)
There are two types of arrangements for growing these Christmas trees: in the field, and in the pots. What are the pros and cons to each of these methods?
Which method looks like more work for student volunteers? Which method requires more inputs?
When you look at the trees today, do you think these methods are working?
Some trees in the field are growing faster than others and could be rented for this holiday season. What are some problems that may happen when the tree is repotted back into the field?