BMPs for Christmas Tree Growers

Christmas trees demand protection from pests and diseases. As a result, growers use pesticides and other pest management strategies. Growers must use pesticides sparingly and properly. Maintaining a strategy of integrated pest management (IPM) protects the health of the crop, the grower, the environment, and the public. It also assures that viable pest management strategies are available for future use.

The purpose of this document is to consolidate current integrated approaches to Christmas tree management in the Virginia/North Carolina/Tennessee region. The goals are 1) to form a general working definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Christmas tree management, and 2) to develop a system of assessing how growers adopt IPM guidelines, and if their operations have implemented enough core practices to qualify them as "IPM Practitioners" under these guidelines.

Growers should use this document and its sub-headings as a checklist of possible IPM practices. They should count only the activities they perform in their pest management practices and aim to be compliant with 80% of the activities listed below.

This document is intended to help growers identify areas in their operations that possess strong IPM qualities and also point out areas for improvement. Growers should attempt to incorporate the majority of these specific techniques into their usual production and maintenance practices, especially in areas where they fall short of the 80% goal.

To view the document, click HERE [PDF].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

WRITTEN AND DEVELOPED BY:

Holly Gatton - Project Manager, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs, Dept. of Entomology, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Bryan Davis, IPM Technician, Ashe County Extension (NC), Jefferson, NC
Wythe Morris, Associate Extension Agent, Carroll County Extension, Hillsville, VA
Jill Sidebottom, Area Extension Forestry Specialist, Mountain Conifer IPM, NCSU Mountain Hort. Crops Research Center, Mills River, NC
Kevin Spurlin, Unit Coordinator/Extension Agent, Grayson County Extension, Independence, VA
Mike Weaver, Professor, Dept. of Entomology & Director, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs, Blacksburg, VA

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