The Effect of Municipal Compost on Christmas Trees

1999 Annual Report for FS99-087

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 1999: $6,985.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2001
Region: Southern
State: Tennessee
Principal Investigator:

The Effect of Municipal Compost on Christmas Trees

Summary

This grower plans to grow Fraser Fir Christmas trees sustainably and at a competitive cost. Using locally produced municipal compost, in place of other phosphorus and nitrogen sources, would lower the cost of growing Fraser Fir Christmas trees and contribute to a more sustainable system. Compost produced by the municipality of Jonesborough, Tennessee is made by mixing sewage sludge with yard waste. Heavy metal and pathogen counts in sludge must be below EPA ceiling concentrations before it can be used by the public. The heavy metal count is low because the small town (Pop. 3500) has little to no industry; annual tests show five out of eleven heavy metals are below detectable limits and the other six have negligible levels. The pathogen count is reduced through proper composting. Use of this compost for sustainable Christmas tree production would have more than one benefit. Local waste materials are recycled rather than dumped in a landfill and its use lowers or eliminates the need for supplemental sources of P and N and adds beneficial microorganisms.

The experiment will involve 1700 trees planted on five-foot centers on one acre. The treatments are:
1.) Seedlings receiving rock phosphate, colloidal phosphate, alfalfa meal, soybean meal and poultry litter.
2.) One-year old trees receiving rock phosphate, colloidal phosphate, alfalfa meal, soybean meal and poultry litter.
3.) Two to four-year old trees receiving rock phosphate, colloidal phosphate, alfalfa meal, soybean meal and poultry litter.
4.) Seedlings receiving municipal compost.
5.) One-year old trees receiving municipal compost.
6.) Two to four-year old trees receiving municipal compost.

Annual observations will be made to assess budset, needle length and color, terminal and lateral diameter and length, and trunk diameter. Annual tissue samples will be collected and tested for nutrients. Lastly, the grower will keep detailed records of expenses for each treatment.

Collaborators:

Jim Smith

Good Earth Organics
Jeff Vance

Mitchell County Extension
Laura Lauffer

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
Anthony Flaccavento

Appalachian Sustainable Development
Jeff Owen

North Carolina CES