Stop the Drop Research into Needle Retention in Christmas trees ongoing at NSAC

With just days until Christmas, many Nova Scotians have made the annual selection of the perfect Balsam Fir tree for their home for the holidays. The fragrance and majesty of a natural Christmas tree is as much a part of the season as candy canes and Santa.

In Atlantic Canada, the Christmas tree and greenery industry generates nearly $72 million annually from the sale of Balsam Firs, the most preferred Christmas tree, while employing over 7000 seasonal and full-time workers.

However, the industry is not without its challenges. Competition from artificial trees, the US economic downturn and needle drop all threaten the sustainability of the industry.

To address these challenges, NSAC has provided leadership in the establishment of the Atlantic Christmas Tree Research and Development Consortium at the university, the Canadian centre for Christmas tree research.

“This major research initiative is studying, defining, isolating and improving the needle retention properties and overall quality of our Atlantic Canadian balsam fir Christmas tree and greenery business,” explained Dr. Raj Lada, a plant stress physiologist at NSAC.

Dr. Lada’s research team has been conducting outstanding research on Christmas trees over the past four years with some exciting progress.

Several Balsam fir clones from various sources including the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources Tree Breeding Center in Debert, have been screened over the past three years and identified for excellent needle retention qualities.

These trees have been grafted and set at the new Balsam Fir germplasm center and seed orchard at Plumdale, NSAC. This orchard will eventually serve as a global repository for Balsam Fir. The genotypes have been marked for various other traits as well.

Research has also been initiated to understand the physiology of needle drop, cold acclimation effects on needle drop and causal factors that trigger needle drop.

Research has just been completed to understand the role of certain fire-retardants in needle retention and the role of LED lights in needle drop control.

“Our research has already started shedding some new information on the genetic diversity in needle drop, the mechanisms, signaling process and potential technologies for control of needle drop,” added Lada.

Recently, a major comprehensive research proposal entitled “Smart Christmas Trees and Technologies Initiative” was submitted to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for support. This will provide significant research and development support to the Atlantic Canada Christmas Tree and Greenery industries.

It is hoped that this additional funding will aid in the development of Smart Christmas trees or “A” grade trees with all the desirable attributes and technologies to control needle drop.

This research is being conducted at NSAC in partnership with the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia, the Christmas Tree Association of New Brunswick, Christmas tree producers of NS, NB, PEI and NL; NS Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, NB Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture; NL Department of Forestry and Agriculture; Infor Inc., NB, Smart Christmas Tree Research Cooperative and University of New Brunswick under the leadership and direction of Dr. Lada.

For tips on recycling your tree after the holidays please visit: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/xmastrees/disposing.htm