Agriculture agents tour local tree farm

by Mary Pankow

     Farming was once a way of life for most people living in rural Western New York. Herds of animals and acres of crops dotted the countryside. Roadside stands were plentiful and milk trucks traveled the back roads filled with calcium-laden milk. But, times changed and so did agriculture.

     Today, farming is very high tech and, rather than countless farms lining the landscape, we see a handful of large establishments and a number of specialized farms. Just as physicians and attorneys choose a particular area of expertise, those who farm also elect to concentrate their efforts.

     One such example of specialization is Dixieland Tree Farm. Once a raspberry and grape farm, Dixieland, located on Versailles-Silver Creek Road in Versailles, is a premier supplier of Christmas trees in the area. And, this successful transition from fruit to firs is what made county agriculture agents from across the United States interested in having Dixieland Tree Farm on the list for their July Diversified Small Farms Tour.

     The busload of agents arrived at Dixieland on July 20 and owner Carl Forbes greeted the members of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents with a hearty welcome and energetic description of the farm.

     Established in 1990, with 16 rows of Norway Spruce and White Spruce, Dixieland has expanded to include such varieties as Blue Spruce - a particular favorite of customers, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Concolor Fir and Canaan Fir.

     In other words, a Christmas tree is not just a tree, it is a work of art created by Mother Nature, nurtured by tree farmers and destined to be the focal point of holiday decor.

     Before a tree graces any home, a labor-intensive routine of care is followed, Forbes explained. Planting, fertilizing, weeding, mowing, spraying and shearing are major steps before any harvesting and selling can take place. This is a year-round venture that determines the success of any tree farm. With a low 17 percent mortality rate, it’s obvious that Forbes has his farming methods down to a science.

     As the county agents accompanied Forbes across the acreage, they learned that holes are dug every five feet for the trees, with rows spaced apart at seven feet for easy cultivation and spraying. Spraying is done three times during the year: twice in the spring and once in the fall. Shearing, done once a year, gets under way in mid-summer and takes some time as Dixieland boasts some 17,000 to 18,000 trees.

     Rotating crops and “reforestation” are also prime considerations. For each tree harvested, two are planted.

     When asked about deer munching on his trees, Forbes explained that a nearby corn field seems to attract the animals so that, for the most part, his trees remain unscathed.

     The tree farm owner then gave a demonstration of shearing. Wielding a machete-type knife, Forbes began trimming one of the nearby firs, giving it a conical shape that we all associate with Christmas. Whacking extra growth off the tree is no easy chore by hand. To streamline and speed up the process. Forbes went into his shed and emerged with a time-saving, gas-powered shearing machine. The machine trimmed a tree in just a fraction of the time that it took doing it by hand.

     The county agents were impressed with the Dixieland operation. They also learned that each tree, no matter the size or variety, costs only $25. The Forbes family also offers wreaths for sale and in one day sold an incredible 189 trees!

     While Dixieland Tree Farm continues to offer its variety of mainstay selections, Forbes is also experimenting with 10 different trees to see what works best, with an ambitious eye to expand the business. These will be sold as balled and burlapped nursery stock next year.

     As the Dixieland tour ended, David Munsee, farm business management educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chautauqua County, explained the importance of the education of farmers. The agents who are touring - 1,500 total participating in 28 tours - will take back to their respective state and count the information they have garnered from speaking with these diversified farmers. The agents, as diverse as the farms they are touring, will share the information with others who strive to keep farm-related businesses alive.

     Farming is necessary for our existence. As the industry fine tunes and adapts, we all benefit. From animal and crop farming for food, to the Forbes family firs for aesthetic pleasure, farming is still a way of life for many. The difference today is that carefully planned business management and scientifically based decisions have replaced the traditional farming methods that our forefathers used. The agrarian society of the 21st century is truly a community of produce professionals, animal authorities and farmers with finesse ... with or without the bib overalls.