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2.02.09 - Christmas trees

UNIT NOTICEBOARD

2024-01-29

Registration is open for the 2024 IUFRO Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference

We are pleased to announce that registration and call for abstracts are open for the 16th IUFRO Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference (CTRE). The conference will be held August 11-16 in Kerteminde, Denmark and is hosted by the University of Copenhagen. The program will include oral and poster presentations and field excursions, including the Langesø Christmas tree fair. All researchers and extension personnel dealing with any aspect of Christmas tree production and management are welcome and encouraged to attend.

On-line registration, program information and call for abstracts are available at:  https://eventsignup.ku.dk/ctrec2024/conference 

Please note that the conference registration fee is all-inclusive and includes lodging and meals during the conference and excursions. Conference registration deadline is May 1, 2024; early bird registration closes March 1, 2024.


For questions or further information, please contact:

Ulrik Braüner Nielsen ubn@ign.ku.dk  On-site Conference Coordinator, or
Bert Cregg cregg@msu.edu  IUFRO Christmas Tree Working Group Coordinator

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Coordinator:

Bert Cregg, United States

Deputies:

Inger Sundheim Floistad, Norway

Chloe Gendre, Canada

About Unit

The scope of this unit includes all aspects of Christmas tree and greenery production including nutrition, genetics, propagation, diseases, arthropod pests, weeds, production techniques, post-harvest quality, and marketing.

While the indoor display of forest trees to celebrate Christmas is a centuries-old tradition, establishment and culture of plantations specifically for Christmas tree use is a relatively new development. During the last 20 to 30 years, as the worldwide consumption of real Christmas trees has risen to exceed 80 million annually, the science and technology behind plantation Christmas tree production has developed rapidly, particularly in Europe and North America. This unit provides a forum for the exchange of scientific research results among researchers, students, extension agents and extension specialist who work professionally with the Christmas tree industry. 


State of Knowledge

The scope of this unit encompasses the entire range of activities associated with Christmas tree and greenery production. A few selected topics of current interest include:

  • Utilization of mechanical and/or chemical treatments to produce high quality Christmas tree by controlling leader elongation,
  • Clonal production of Christmas trees via somatic embryogenesis,
  • Genetic selection and breeding for Christmas tree quality and resistance to specific pests,
  • Improvement of post-harvest needle retention,
  • Managing weeds with sub-lethal herbicide applications,
  • Assessing the impacts of intensive management of multiple rotations on productivity.