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Reviews for Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit

"For both the first time Christmas tree grower and the veteran grower, this is a must read book. The information Wray provides strengthens the grower's understanding of the business today and brings new insight for the beginners."
 —Chris Colucci,  The Bardonia Tree Farm, New York

Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit is for anyone who enjoys being and working outdoors and is seeking a profitable hobby or small business venture. Robert Wray has updated this fourth edition to include the latest techniques and tools for harvesting trees, new methods of transport, the most recent data on herbicides, and advice on how to run a Christmas-tree business today.

A perennial bestseller, this illustrated guide covers selecting land, choosing species, planting, harvesting, and managing a plantation. Wray provides guidance for choosing species suitable for the grower’s situation, where and how to get planting stock, and how to care for it. The planting process is described in detail, including both hand and machine methods. The book presents useful techniques for protecting the growing trees from weeds, animals, fire, insects, and disease, and offers a full description of shearing or shaping trees to improve their form and density—keys to a successful crop.

As the grower’s job is not done until the trees are sold, issues of grading, harvesting, advertising, and marketing are examined. A chapter on finances deals with costs, profits, and taxes. From novice to experienced grower, there is something in this book for everyone.

Robert D. Wray is retired from the U.S. Forest Service’s North Central Forest Experiment Station in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has written for various conservation and professional publications and continues to do contract editing for the Forest Service