By VICKI JOHNSON
Ohio Correspondent DELAWARE, Ohio — Increased interest in buying live Christmas trees and a decline in producers growing them is prompting Bill Cackler to host a workshop for potential new growers on Dec. 29, at his farm north of Columbus. Sponsored by the Ohio Christmas Tree Assoc., the workshop is to take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and feature information on how to get started in Christmas tree farming and how to a budget financially, as well as a tour of the 20,000-tree Cackler Family Farms. With 29 years of experience as a background, Cackler said he's been seeing a trend toward an increase in the number of trees sold. At his farm, he said sales are up more than 20 percent, compared to prior years. "We're north of 2,000 a year sold," he said. At the same time, Cackler said the number of tree producers has been decreasing. "People are aging out. They're getting older and retiring, and there isn't much selling of the operations. I'm afraid something has to give, or the ones that are still in are going to have a tough time keeping up." Most tree farms are not being handed down to younger generations, and those factors are creating a need for new growers. “In addition to increased demand, more landowners are finding Christmas tree production is great way to have extra income from their land, and they can qualify for agricultural tax breaks through CAUV (Ohio’s Current Agricultural Use Value program),” Cackler said. “And those who own land adjacent to metropolitan areas have an advantage in this business. "Another advantage about the Christmas tree business is that the whole family can be involved and, with Christmas trees, you are a price setter, not a price taker.” However, he said potential growers should understand it takes 7-10 years to grow Christmas trees to marketable height. That's one of the topics to be covered during the workshop. "We're going to go through some of economics of production," Cackler said, "(and) give them some idea what kinds of return to expect off an acre of trees." He also plans to talk about placing trees in optimal conditions. "One of the biggest problems in the Christmas tree industry is putting the right tree in the right place.” Other topics include fertility and the steps involved in making trees into Christmas trees – such as shaping them. Cackler said the most labor-intensive times of the year include planting in April and early May, shearing (pruning) the trees from mid-June through August and tree harvest in late November and December. As workshop leader, he plans to draw on experience as well as his training as an educator. "I'm a retired a high school science and ag science teacher," he said. "I have the ability to do it." Advance registration for the workshop is needed by Dec. 3. Mail the names and contacting information for people who plan to attend – with $20 per farm – to: Ohio Christmas Tree Association, 6870 Licking Valley Rd., Frazeysburg, OH 43822. Registered people will receive a New Growers Christmas Tree Manual to review prior to the event. For more information on Christmas trees or to find a nearby tree farm, visit the OCTA website, http://ohiochristmastree.org |
