Managing cone formation in Abies Christmas tree species – 2022
Early cone production of Fraser fir trees results in significant labor costs for cone removal. In this project we are investigating several options for managing cones in Fraser fir including application of herbicides to kill emerging cones, application of plant growth regulators to reduce cone formation and selection of tree genotypes for delayed and reduced coning. Based on research during the current reporting period we found that pelargonic acid (Scythe TM) applied using tractor mounted spray equipment could provide up to 80% cone kill. However backpacks or other directed applications that target only trees with cones will likely be more efficient in perms of product use. In our plant growth regulator trials we found that the effects of soil applied and foliar applied paclobutrazol were additive and that PGR applications could provide up to 40% reduction in cone production in the three years following the initial application. We also saw inhibition of subsequent cone formation. We have completed the third cycle of cone collection from the MSU Delayed Coning Seed orchard. Trees from half-sib families from the initial (2017) collection are growing in #3 containers at the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center. We are currently developing protocols to evaluate coning of the seed orchard progeny relative to nursery-run Fraser firs.
- Project ID22-06-MSU
- CategoriesTree Culture
- Growing Region(s)Midwest
- Tree SpeciesFir
- Investigator(s)Cregg
- Institution(s)Michigan State University, Department of Horticulture and Department of Forestry
- Research Year2022
- Publication Year2024
- ReportDownload 📁