Educating Retailers to Keep Trees Fresh. Jeffrey H. Owen Area Forestry Extension Specialist, Christmas Trees

Transcription

1 Educating Retailers to Keep Trees Fresh Jeffrey H. Owen Area Forestry Extension Specialist, Christmas Trees

2 Educating Retailers to Keep Trees Fresh Retailers can ruin fresh trees you provide Problems are more likely to show up on retail lots Retail practices that erode CT freshness Retail practices that preserve CT freshness NC State FL retailer survey Retail pallet studies Developing educational strategies & materials

3 You Shipped Them a Fresh Tree Some retailers sell bedding plants, fireworks, pumpkins, & then Christmas trees (What do they care?) Trees can perish before they are even displayed on the lot You know your trees better, Share your knowledge!

4 Retail Lot Freshness Problems Needle loss Sunscald & String burn Dry trees & fire safety Trunk cracks Pallet storage issues

5 Poor Needle Retention Genetics Differences between species Differences between trees Dormancy at harvest Climate influence Reversible process Depends on harvest date Aggravated by: High temperatures Water stress Salts & preservatives Nutrient deficiencies Nutrient toxicities

6 Needle Retention FL retailer: I tried water stands once. My trees hold up better if I display them dry.

7 Loss in tree quality Initial needle loss Stiff, brittle needles Stiff branches Washed-out color Dry Trees Critical thresholds of moisture content are surpassed A dry tree will not take up water readily But, dry trees can still look OK

8 Fraser Fir: Moisture Content Readily takes up water > 100% Slowly takes up water % Unlikely to rehydrate < 80 %

9 MC% over 6 Weeks Branches with water 23 C 16 C 9 C 30 C

10 MC% over 6 Weeks Branches without water 9 C 30 C 23 C 16 C

11 The Ability to Rehydrate over Time Ability to rehydrate declines over time Importance of a fresh cut 3-day recommendation

12 When a tree fails to take up water Occurs to a fresh tree even after a fresh cut is made on the trunk Air bubbles in the wood? Sap or bacteria clogging the vessels? A rare but worrisome problem 0.001%?

13 The Freshness Quandary Under high temperatures, a well watered tree is more likely to drop needles than a dry tree. But, a dry tree with all its needles is still a dead tree It is unlikely to take up water It is a fire hazard It is the Achilles Heal of the Real Tree industry

14 Moisture Content by Retailer Type

15 Sun Scald & String Burn Again, a result of exposure to sun & wind Foliage cannot replace water lost to surrounding air Localized constriction of twigs in the in the case of string burn Sunny-side burn in the case of sun scald Foliage dies from desiccation Scalded needles drop at moderate drying

16 Trunk Cracks Result of exposure Rapid moisture loss increases capillary tension of remaining water within the wood Only happens when water is present, so it only occurs to fresh trees that are loosing water

17 Capillary Tension The adhesive force between a liquid and the solid walls that contain it It s why liquids rise higher in smaller tubes & water rises from roots to needles in a tree

18 Capillary Tension It is also the force which collapses the straw in your milkshake

19 Capillary Tension In a tree, water is stretched the length of the vascular column The upward pull on water produces an inward pull on cell walls Capillary tension exceeds the tensile strength of the wood psi vs. 180 psi Results in structural failure of wood

20 Trunk Cracks Trees with cracks are still fresh Just add water Capillary tension eases Cracks can close up A 3-inch decking screw is the cheapest way to close a crack Better to avoid rapid drying events i.e. sun, wind, & warm temperatures Some tree stands can be a problem

21 Trunk Crack Research Can trunk treatments to stop cracks from occurring? (wax, paint, clamps, etc.) Additional questions: moisture content in wood the extent of air bubbles at the cut end of the trunk a tree s ability to rehydrate

22 2014 Study: % of Trees with Cracks by Treatment 30,0 25,0 20,0 15,0 10,0 5,0 0,0

23 2015 Study: % of Trees with Cracks by Treatment

24 2016 Study: Number of Trees with Cracks by Treatment AquaSeal - 1 coat AquaSeal - 2 coats Latex - 2 coats Wax Emulsion - Spray Check

25 Frequency of Cracks over Time

26 Precipitation & Cracks Sun Rain

27 Trunk Moisture Content

28 Trunk Crack Treatment Conclusions? Paint & wax treatments have not worked consistently Left with more questions than answers However, increased moisture content at the trunk end is real, raising questions about water distribution within a cut tree. Not ready to abandon this line of research

29 Retail Pallet Storage

30 Retail Pallet Research 2012 pallet research Pallet vs. loose trees Sun vs. shade 2013 On-farm pallet timing study Retail pallet studies 2014 in Winston Salem (governed by - 5 C) 2015 in Columbia, SC (wet conditions) 2016 in Columbia, SC (mostly dry conditions)

31 Potential Retail Pallet Storage Issues Overheating Needle loss Mold issues

32 2012 Pallet vs. Loose Tree Storage

33 2015: A Very Wet Season Microbial Activity Orange mold on branches compressed by 2x4 frame Dark brown mats of needles fused together inside tree Mycelium surrounding bud scales and other duff

34 2015 Retail Pallet Study 140 trees were harvested on Nov. 4 Trees were palletized on Nov. 12 Took trees to Columbia, SC on Nov.18 4 pallets opened on different dates: Arrival, day 5, day 14, day 22 (Nov. 18, Nov. 23, Dec. 2, & Dec. 10) Frequent rain both on farm and lot

35 2015 Retail Pallet Study Nov. 23 Data Logger Data Driving to Columbia, SC

36 Percent Moisture Content 18-Nov

37 Average Needle Retention Rating on the Day Pallets Were Opened ,1 2,9 2,8 Whole Tree Branch NR 0,9 Day 0 Day 5 Day 14 Day22

38 % of Trees with any Visible Mold

39 Final Needle Loss Rating Dec. 10 % Unsalable, % Marginal, & % Degraded ,1 45,5 36,3 5, Days on Retail Lot Unsalable, NR=6,7 Marginal, NR=4,5 % degraded, NR=4,5,6,7

40 Conclusions While my research has focused on palletization, its not just palletized trees Reduce long-term compaction in any storage method Avoid water saturation during storage Open pallets on arrival at retail lots Shake out internal needles before baling and/or before retail display

41 Retailer Education An opportunity to market your business Part of customer service Improves product reliability May improve retailers sales / cull ratio When problems occur it gives you the leverage to question their practices

42 Points to Make The time and effort it took to produce a real tree Definitions of freshness Why tree care is critical Identifying problems The tree care / sales connection A way to stand out from the competition Fresh solutions for improved care

43 NCSU Retailer Surveys (03 05) Fresh on the farm Degradation occurs on retail lots Store front issues Growers did better on their retail lots 2004 Moisture Content by Display Structure None Building Tent Tent with Sides Tent under Tree Store Front Moisture Content %

44 Three Years of Retailer Surveys Foliage moisture content was linked to: Irrigation practices Frequency of watering Shade structures Wind barriers Number of deliveries A retailer goal should be No dry trees

45 Provide Ideas for Improvement Later shipping dates Multiple deliveries Shade alternatives Irrigation techniques Tree stands with water Or mulch with water Wind barriers

46 Challenge Retailers to Do Better: Ask Questions? Are your trees as fresh as they could be? What are the problems with your site? What additional protections could you easily apply? Are there other retailers you can work with on split deliveries to shorten time on the lot? How can you turn tree care efforts into a marketing advantage?

47 Retailer Examples: The Home Depot Notebook Chapters: Resource acquisition Design & construction Inventory Management Customer service Evaluation

48 NCCTA Retailer Newsletter Feature articles: What it takes to grow a tree Home to wildlife When trunks crack Grade standards Low-cost watering strategies Extinguishing the fire myth Regular items: Retail lot calendar Recycling web links Talk to your grower

49 2006 Retailer Newsletter Real vs. Fake Poster

50 NCSU Website Website sections Why focus on Christmas tree care? Positive consumer experience Defining freshness Freshness problems Maintaining freshness Freshness plan Consumer tree care tips Freshness survey

51 Retailer Message to Consumers Make a fresh cut on tree trunks Avoid Christmas tree preservatives Store in water, keep tree in the shade Display in water Use high quality tree stand (1 gallon min.) Avoid sources of heat & direct sunlight Throw out old strands of lights Do not overload electrical outlets / circuits

52 Working with your Retailers Training format Video / DVD Conference Web-based Notebook On-site visits? Education Evaluation of care Marketing tips Things to cover Freshness principles Number of deliveries Site factors Storage shelter Display shelter Type / frequency of irrigation Inventory management

53 These efforts all work toward improved product performance So, what is the consumer s last impression?

54 Any Questions?