Problem with Christmas tree farms.

Is anyone here having problems with any Christmas tree farms adjacent to their property? Specifically problems with their use of herbicides? They're all over here where I am in Clackamas County. It seems they have no limit to the amounts of herbicides and pesticides they will dump on the land. Anyone upset about this?

maybe suggest that they run sheep instead.

They would never do that.

Why not? I used to use sheep between our trees, before the trees job so big that they didn't need it. (forestry, not Christmas trees)

Surely sheep would eat the trees? Even an occassional nibble will trash the shape and lead to unsaleable trees.

Michael Cox wrote:Surely sheep would eat the trees? Even an occassional nibble will trash the shape and lead to unsaleable trees.

sheep generally aren't interested in anything woody, though I expect that depends somewhat on the breed. they aren't goats. geese might be a good complement to sheep, too. between sheep and geese, I would think the grass could be just about eradicated over a couple of years.

perhaps the way to convince folks is to try it out yourself. do you have enough room for a demonstration?

This is certainly not something that I suggest you do.

If any of the forest land next to my land is ever managed in that way, I will use a machete and kill every young tree within 100 ft. of the property line. That would be the warm up. Luckily, I'm not dealing with that, but it's good to have a clear idea of where you're willing to take it.

tel jetson wrote:

Michael Cox wrote:Surely sheep would eat the trees? Even an occassional nibble will trash the shape and lead to unsaleable trees.

sheep generally aren't interested in anything woody, though I expect that depends somewhat on the breed. they aren't goats. geese might be a good complement to sheep, too. between sheep and geese, I would think the grass could be just about eradicated over a couple of years.

perhaps the way to convince folks is to try it out yourself. do you have enough room for a demonstration?

The sheep that occassionally graze our fields demolish all the green growth they can reach from the lime trees, willow and sequioa. There is a really distinct graze line where they can reach.

Michael Cox wrote:The sheep that occassionally graze our fields demolish all the green growth they can reach from the lime trees, willow and sequioa. There is a really distinct graze line where they can reach.

interesting. I wonder what the difference is. my goats would certainly do that, but the sheep I've tended reliably kept their heads down.

I've spoken on the phone with the owners of the Christmas tree company that rents the land next to my property, as well as many other properties around this area. After talking to them that one time, I wouldn't even bother bringing up any alternatives to pesticides/herbicides. Their whole business is intimately involved with using poisons on their trees. They believe 100% in using Roundup, and that it's safe. And anyone who has concerns are silly.

Where I am in Oregon, about an hour south east of Portland, there's so much Roundup sprayed on these Christmas tree farms (which are everywhere) and by all the neighbors, that I've been thinking of moving the fuck out of here.

If people in Portland knew of how much stuff is being sprayed next to the so called "organic" vegi-farms, or raw-milk dairies out here in the "country", they'd never eat anything again....

I agree, its amazing the amount of crap they spray. Or fog. But what I find funny is that its seems that everyone but the big guys cant even give their trees away. And then once their trees get to big they cut them all down, burn them in the field and then replant the field. How do you make any money that way.
Its almost as senseless as all the grass farmers and a bunch of the hay farmers planting filberts in their field due to grass seed and hay losing value. But when everyone has filberts, and the filberts get into high production, like in ten years. Whats the filbert market going to look like?

The people planting the Christmas trees aren't doing it to make money per se but do it so they don't have to pay taxes on the land.

Maybe they should branch out into a different tree crop! They could plant nut trees and still call the land agricultural, but with less maintenance and an actual future money making potential.

Kevin MacBearach wrote:The people planting the Christmas trees aren't doing it to make money per se but do it so they don't have to pay taxes on the land.

Well, then they should be open to less spraying just to spend less money...

As for getting them to switch to other crops, I bet they get a big chunk of farm bill money for trees that don't sell or they have to sell below the floor price. It is a racket.

R Scott wrote:

Kevin MacBearach wrote:The people planting the Christmas trees aren't doing it to make money per se but do it so they don't have to pay taxes on the land.

Well, then they should be open to less spraying just to spend less money...

As for getting them to switch to other crops, I bet they get a big chunk of farm bill money for trees that don't sell or they have to sell below the floor price. It is a racket.

The owners of the property don't do the spraying. The spraying is done by those tree companies that rent the piece of land and grow, cut and sell the trees. Most people here don't have the time, or want to start a farm business, too many regulations these days. They opt for the Christmas tree farm cause it's easy and cheap.