Spraying around Christmas Trees

[JohnnyMX]

I need to get some trees under control. I let things get a bit out of hand on about 250 xmas trees. Last time I sprayed I had someone drive a side-by-side with the 30 gallon sprayer while I carried the wand and a snow shovel to block myself from spraying the tree. Anyone have a better way of doing this? Anyone have a one-person method as I almost never get someone around long enough to go out and help.

 

[Deere Dude]

How tall are they and are you spraying weed killer? Just curious. I need to spray a dozen or so so am following.

 

[JohnnyMX]

This is my second year for these trees. They are in the 8-12" range at this point on most of them. I am looking to ring them to allow myself to mow and more easily identify them as well as reduce weed for water and sun competition. I just don't want to spray them and kill them all. I saw a guy on youtube use a backpack sprayer and a low dose of glyphosate(41%) with a funnel adapted to the end of the want. That looks pretty darn easy. Would be even easier if I had kept up with my mowing as the weeds are deep now 1-2'.

 

[jaxs]

For the most part,conifers aren't sensitive to braodleaf herbicides but CHECK THE LABEL for your species. If weeds are mostly grassy type and you are able to see trees well enough to avoid them I'd brush hog first.

 

[Torvy]

Seems like something that would be prevented by mulch. No need to mow or spray. Holds moisture and returns nutrients.

I am no expert on Christmas trees, but I am considering a small grove to supply the family, Church, and to donate for those who cannot afford one.

 

[JohnnyMX]

I mow between the rows, but didn't take enough care to line up all trees so I could go in between the trees. I was fitting them into narrower openings which wasn't ideal looking back. The mulch idea could work, but I don't have any and it would also get weedy. If I can spot and keep a ring around each tree I can go in with the brush hog and weed eater to clean out the rest.

 

[fishheadbob]

At the wrong time of year (like now) glyphosate will damage or kill your trees, especially if you miss and hit the tree hard. Later in the season you can spray on them with no damage. A Solo backpack sprayer will set you back less than $100 and gets you right next to the trees.
If you're going to plant trees on a regular basis you might want to join your state Christmas Tree association and learn a lot about care of trees; weed contro, fertilization, and shearingl are big things with Christmas Tree growers.

 

[jaxs]

Flags by each tree to make it easier while brush hogging. Make 50 flags and cut field in sections while moving flags. Even knocking down 30% is easier than spraying all of it. A 20+ hp garden tractor with belly mower might be a big help getting between trees where the hog can't go. With the rush to z-turns,riders are cheap. A couple tricks for riders in heavy growth. Weighted centers on spindles. Pouring lead in pulley is simple if one lacks fab skills. Leave spindle and remove one or more blades can help in case $$ main drive belt is slipping.

 

[jaxs]

Seems like something that would be prevented by mulch. No need to mow or spray. Holds moisture and returns nutrients.

I am no expert on Christmas trees, but I am considering a small grove to supply the family, Church, and to donate for those who cannot afford one.

I grew up with native Cedars as Christmas Trees. It was a good annual get togeather for hearvest and a half day beer party each spring when brothers and I sheared and pruned future trees. We had a 22 acre field that wouldn't grow much but weeds and Cedar. From post WWII,dad left it for quail cover and Christmas trees. In the md 50s my 15 year old brother headed up an operation to cut and sell trees. Fifty cents each with a nickle each going to gas station selling them for us. Over the years the store closed and demand deminished but we continued grooming a few until mom died in 2010. With the intrest in buy local, back to nature and old time tradition,I've often wondered if a young family could market Cedar trees today. Now days I sand scraps to place in closets and a few under sofas during holidays.

 

[nyone]

I havent done this because I only have 48 12in trees to mow around but one guy said to use a section of stove pipe or any type of cheap duct work that will fit around your tree. Screw a wood handle to it. One had has a sprayer and the other this deflector. I thought that was a prety good idea.