Weed wiper (hand held) for spot treating weeds

I have purchased a weed wiper for individual weed killing around the base of up to 3-4 year old Christmas trees i hope to find this easier than carrying a backpack sprayer it only holds 0.4L of chemical i think it could have done with being made with a larger diameter pipe that holds the chemical we shall see any way

From suppliers website
Simple, safe and inexpensive. These are the features of the weed wiper applicator for spot treating weeds with glyphosate. Simply ‘wipe’ the impregnated wicks onto the target vegetation and a small amount of the herbicide is transferred to the foliage. Quick and simple to use, lightweight, easy to clean and store and no moving parts

Weed wiper (hand held) for spot treating weeds. Just fill handle with chemical then wipe wick over leaves. Easy to use with no chemical contamination or spray drift

I shall be trying it out shortly

August 2013 Planting

We have planted our Nordmann Fir in plug cell form for this year, this year we are trying out a different method of weed control around the bases of the plants by putting squares of plastic around the transplant, this will keep the plant clear of weeds and can be easily removed when the trees are large enough to suppress any weed growth underneath them

 

 

We only have approx. 200 of our pot grown Nordmann Fir left all transplants in plug cell form are sold out for this year

Hydroponics and Christmas Trees

We are starting to plant this years Christmas trees that are grown in compost filled plug cells, hydroponics is becoming increasingly popular, hydroponics is growing plants without compost/soil as a growing medium,

Would it be possible to grow a Christmas tree transplant to about 16 - 20cm in height using hydroponic methods all a plant needs to grow is oxygen, water, and nutrients, the nutrients is supplied naturally by the compost, in hydroponics you place the nutrients in the water and the plant goes into a non soil substrate in a pot which is then placed in water and the water level is kept constant,

With the normal method of growing plants in soil, plants get all the nutrients, water and oxygen they require through their roots from the soil. Due to the physical characteristics of soil though one or even all of these essential items may be in limited supply for the roots to pick up.

When plants are grown in water such as with a Hydroponics, As long as the system is correctly setup the Plants receive an unlimited supply of Water.Nutrients are added into the water which the plants are grown in, This ensures the plant can receive exactly the right nutrients to keep it healthy.Also an unlimited supply of oxygen is available as healthy plant roots are always in direct contact with air, although this may seem a little odd as the plants are grown in water. Usually the plant roots are not submerged.

Advantages for growing with Hydroponics

No messy soil

Less Maintenance, No need for watering of plants

Less Pests as they can’t live in the soil

Less Root disease caused by soil

Christmas tree transplants are grown in root trainer/plug cell trays if the seedlings of the Christmas trees are still grown in these with the substrate with nutrient rich water running under them they will still have food and water but will they still grow to the required size as it take about 2 years to achieve a transplant of about 16cm in height

Get 10% off sitewide when you shop at www.AccessHydro.com. Valid until September 2013

hootsuite test posting

this is also a test posting using hootsuite hopefully it should go to all my social network sites, we are getting 1st lot of Christmas tree transplants next week

August 2012 Planting Follow Up

Last year we planted about 66 noble fir and 378 Nordmann fir due to adverse weather conditions we were unable to get onto the land and cut the grass in good time and this  meant that it has unfortunately grown very tall, yes there are plants in here

I thought this was going to be a problem for my plant growth but after speaking to someone they said the best growing practice is to plant your plants and just leave them for the first year, so I decided to check through and the results are very encouraging with the plants being protected from late spring frosts and heat waves etc they have done considerably well, I have still yet to count through my losses which get replaced this month

Noble Fir

Nordmann Fir

Limerick Xmas Tree Centre

August 2013 Pre Planting

We have begun to prepare for the transplants which are being planted in August, the section to be planed this year will just have Nordmann Fir in,

The ground was weed killed in late June then rotavated it will be weed killed again with roundup prior to planting

The area to be planted

We are also trying out Nordmann Fir bare root plants from the UK to trial these they are being planted in a different area away from our normal planting stock the ground has been prepared the same way as if we were planting our plug cell grown, these are meant to be a non shear species, area where these are

Limerick Xmas Tree Centre On FaceBook

Growth and cold hardiness of container-grown Douglas-fir, noble fir, and Sitka spruce seedlings in simulated greenhouse regimes.

Growth and cold hardiness of container-grown Douglas-fir, noble fir, and Sitka spruce seedlings in simulated greenhouse regimes.

June 2013

We have started as an experiment to try and use Norway spruce as a pot grown tree

we also have for sale via our website these  Nordmann fir

 

we have also started to think about this years plantings outside and also the transplants which go into pots

Drainage and even more drainage

Due to the unseasonal weather we have had to give extra thought to drainage in the trial field to try to prevent it from flooding to much we have had a ditch put in thta runs down the side of the old passage way this will prevent any rainwater from simply going into the trial field as it now has to go into the ditch,

We also had a ditch put in the far side of the field to catch the runoff water and to prevent the water from backing up into the field, pics to follow

Planting this year we are going to experiment with planting the trees on mounds in an extra attempt to try to get them higher than the runoff water which we could get in the field, more on this later in the year

Potted xmas trees

This month we have approx 1150 nordman fir plug grown transplants due in, to plant in 5L and 1.5L pots, the advantage of a pot grown tree is that you can keep it for several years, and simply repot it when needed keep it outside and just bring it into the house at christmas time, the picture below is of nordman fir after being in 5L pots after 1 year these will take about 3 - 4 years until they are ready for sale

January 2013

Christmas has come and gone the tree has been taken down now what to do with it, local councils offer recycling centres where you can take it and it will be mulched up, limerick recycling centres

We have already started planning on this years plantings of trees in the field and in pots, we now plan to offer 2 sizes in pots 5L about 3ft tall and 1.5L pots about 1ft tall, this we feel will give us a good choice to choose from when they are ready for sale

Work will resume in the back field with drainage first, get a digger in and put some ditches in

October OOPS

Started to cut the rushes from the next field and ran into a little problem

and then the rescuers needed rescuing

so we now have a change of plans and plan to get the diggers in first and open up and make new ditched for drainage in an attempt to drain the field more

August 2012 planting

After rotavating the ground we planted 66 noble fir and 378 nordmann fir, more nordmann fir was planted as  they tend to do better in wetter conditions, We are experimenting with cardboard squares around the bases of the transplants aswell to try to keep the weeds down around the bases, we have begun on preparation of the next field which when ready will give us the ability to plant 1000 transplants a year for about 5 years

August 2012

Ground has been rotavated ready for planting of this years transplants we are planting approx 500 this year made up of Nordmann Fir and Noble Fir

How Herbicides Work

Herbicides can be grouped into preemergence and postemergence 

herbicides. Preemergence means that they are applied before weeds 

emerge while postemergence means they are applied after the weeds 

start growing.

 Some preemergence herbicides are systemic herbicides, that is they 

are absorbed primarily by the root system, while others are absorbed 

directly into the plant surface as they emerge. Preemergence herbicides

generally need rainfall or irrigation within several days after application

to be activated and effective. Certain herbicides must be incorporated

into the soil to be effective. These herbicides do not readily leach 

through the soil but remain in the surface layer. Some preemergence 

herbicides have the potential to injure trees, especially if the trees have 

not been planted long enough for the soil to settle around the roots. 

Rainfall can carry herbicides to tree roots through cracks in the soil.

  

  Most postemergence herbicides are contact herbicides, that is they 

must be applied directly on the plant in order to be lethal. It may enter 

the plant through the leaves, stems, or roots. Post emergence herbicides 

should be applied to actively growing weeds to be most effective. In some 

cases, the size and growth stage of the weeds can affect the herbicide 

performance. 

  

  Postemergent or contact herbicides can be selective or non-selective. 

A selective herbicide will kill the target species while not affecting 

desirable plants. Anon-selective herbicide will affect a broad range 

of plants and must be used as a directed spray onto the unwanted 

vegetation. 

Roundup can seriously injure Christmas trees, especially if they contact 

foliage during the growing season. In these cases the trees should be 

protected by a shield when spraying unwanted vegetation. Injury can

also be minimized in some cases by using a lower rate of herbicide.

 

Some herbicides will have both pre- and postemergence control and may 

be both soil and foliar active. 

Many factors can affect the successfulness of any herbicide. 

As previously discussed, the age, growth rate and rooting properties of 

the tree and type of soil must be considered. Weather can also determine 

the effectiveness of any application. Moisture is critical to incorporate 

many herbicides into the root zone. Too much rain can dilute the 
herbicide or incorporate it too deeply into the soil. Sunlight and
temperature, as it affects seed germination and growth rate, can 
indirectly cause herbicide failure. 

The faster weeds grow the more rapidly herbicides are absorbed 
by plants. 

Unexpected periods of cold weather can inhibit growth and hence, 

herbicide effectiveness. 

Unlike weather, application techniques can be controlled be the growers. 

Proper preparation, mixing, sprayer operation, calibration, and rates will 

all contribute to successful weed control.

Planning a Weed Control Program

A weed control program needs to remain flexible. As weed populations 

change or more resistant weeds become prominent, a change in strategy 

is in order. Most growers use a combination of herbicides to control 
different weeds at different times of the year an application of Roundup 
followed by tilling or disking may be used to control perennial weeds on 
abandoned or converted farm sites. This site preparation may be 
followed by a preemergent herbicide in late winter or early spring. 
Roundup can often be used for mid-season applications as directed sprays for control of annuals, 
perennials, and woody weeds

Late season applications of Roundup have been used, especially after 
conifer growth has fully matured (hardened), for effective control of 
brush and perennials. 

Listing or reference to any herbicide does not imply an endorsement or 

recommendation. Labels should be read completely before any 
application. 

Growers should remember that it is illegal to use any herbicide in a 
manner not specified on the label  and by doing so can nullify the 
manufacturers liability. 

It is recommended that any grower using herbicides consider obtaining 
pesticide application training.  It should be noted that many herbicides 
which are listed for ornamental, forest, or nursery applications are not 
included, even though they may be listed as safe on the label for a 
particular tree species. 

Growers should keep abreast of changes in labelling which will allow 
additional herbicides to be used legally in Christmas tree plantations.

Weed Control After Planting

Mechanical

 Mechanical methods to control weeds include cultivation and mowing. 
After planting, cultivation is sometimes used to control weeds; however, 
there are several problems associated with continued cultivation. 
These include increased erosion, trees blown over due to loose soil, and 
the possibility of damaging root systems on larger trees. Cultivating close 
enough to trees in order to control weeds also poses logistical problems. 

Mowing is the more common practice to mechanically control weeds 
between rows. Some of the limitations of mowing include difficulty in 
getting close enough to the tree and the potential to damage branches of 
larger trees. As trees grow, the area to be mowed decreases and the possibility 
of damaging branches with large equipment increases.

Many growers use deflection shields on the tractor wheels to prevent branches
 from being caught by the mower tyres. Damage to the trunk of trees should be 
avoided in all cases as it opens avenues for the entry of insects and disease.

A new grower should plan the plantation around the size and maneuverability 
of the equipment the grower already owns or plans to use. If trees are planted 
on equal spacings, then the mowing can be done in two directions.

 

Although mowing is considered an effective treatment for weeds between rows, 
it is difficult to obtain adequate control immediately around the seedling or tree. 
It has generally been found that mowing between rows and limiting chemicals
to the planting strip and tree row does the best all-around job.

Chemical

 Use of herbicides to control weeds in Christmas tree Plantations has become 
an accepted and imperative practice. Although herbicides are expensive and 
much care must be Taken during application to avoid tree injury, they are 
extremely effective, especially in controlling weeds around the base of small trees.

 

   Herbicides, to be effective, must be applied at the proper rate and time. 
Before applying any herbicide, a grower should follow label recommendations 
and make sure that the herbicide may be used for the christmas tree species 
being grown and the weed species to be controlled. The grower should also 
learn whether weeds to be controlled are annual or perennial, grasses or 
broadleaves and the stages of growth in which they are most easily controlled.

   The type of soil is also an important consideration when choosing the type 
and rate of a herbicide. High organic matter and clay content in a soil can 
“tie-up” certain herbicides and reduce their effectiveness. Coarse textured 
soils high in sand content ties up less herbicide, and so less herbicide is 
usually needed for effective control. Trees planted in coarse textured soils 
may be more susceptible to injury from soil applied herbicides.

July 2012

2012 area has been weed killed ready for this years planting, once the grass and weeds have died down it will be rotavated first week August

there is still time to order your wholesale bulk transplants from us €1.00 a piece for collection end of August Christmas Tree Bulk Wholesale Transplants

Pre Planting Weed Control Part 2

Methods of Weed Control

Site Preparation

Weed control efforts in a christmas tree plantation begin with site preparation activities. Repeated disking or rotovating of the site destroys many weed species. Some chemicals, such as Roundup, may also be used in site preparation activities. Many growers use a combination of mechanical and chemical control because once the weeds are controlled by mechanical methods, herbicides work well to keep the vegetation from becoming a problem during the remainder of the rotation. Some preplant herbicides can also be effective, following site preparation, especially if the vegetation to be controlled is primarily annual weeds (since they kill germinating seeds and not roots capable of reproduction

  

Trees have little chance of doing well if they are planted in established vegetation on a site which has not been properly prepared. Alternatives to completely tilling a site maybe to strip disk the area where the trees are to be planted. A nonselective, non-residual herbicide applied in bands 4 feet wide or in circles 4 feet in diameter where the trees are to be planted is another alternative. 

Complete eradication of all weeds is generally unnecessary as light vegetative cover

Weed control is an important factor in producing quality christmas trees. between rows, if kept under control, prevents erosion and does minimum damage to trees.

  

It is important to remember that vegetation control is more Important around newly planted young trees than around older trees. It is also important to control weed competition while the trees are actively growing, during this time competition for water and nutrients is most critical.

you can still purchase christmastree transplants from us www.xmastreetransplants.com 

Pre Planting Weed Control Part 1

Over the next few weeks i shall explain weed control before planting young trees into the plantation this is part 1

Weed Control in Christmas tree plantations is one of the most important cultural practices during the early life of a plantation.

Weeds compete for water, nutrients, and light and extend the time required to produce a marketable tree.

Successful weed control helps the grower produce high quality trees and can result in a more rapid return on initial investments. In addition, weed control can prevent trees from forming deformed bases since shading inhibits proper formation of lateral branches. Weed control can reduce the potential of insect and disease damage and damage by animals, such as mice or rabbits, since their habitat is removed.

Weed control reduces the hazard of fires by removing unwanted fuel. Finally, reduction of weeds reduces interference with labour and equipment movement and improves the plantation’s appearance for consumers.

There is still time to buy your transplants from us prices €1.00 each

Some pictures of the next field to be used for xmas trees it will take about 2 years to get this field suitable for xmas tree use, the size of the field is about 4 acres, At the moment it consists of rushes, brambles, gorse and hawthorn that has self seeded over the years, the gorse will need to be cut back to expose the ditches for drainage, rushes and brambles will be cut down and weedkilled, the trees that have self seeded will be dug up and used too fill in the boundary gaps to keep horses out that roam around the area

You can still pre order your christmas tree transplants from www.xmastreetransplants.com we also have a new facebook page Xmas Trees Ireland

Looking to the left

Looking to the right

Approx centre of field