Little Christmas tree contest? 2023 to 2026.

[Eckhoffw]

I’m curious if there are any particular issues with DAS i should be aware of. Is it just that they grow very slowly, or something more challenging?

I wouldn’t say they grow very slow,, but instead grow in small increments. They stay small and compact as they are dwarfs.

Branches are very flexible, but like to spring back, and will probably need repeated wiring.

My advice for DAS, and most other spruces,
Is not to go too hard on them. I believe it’s very important to do major work at The appropriate time.

I Would not do heavy pruning, styling wiring, and especially route work at this time.
That said, I’m in Minnesota and you’re in Seattle, so I have no clue. what you can get away with.

I’m still learning what the best times are for things, but come spring, I will be putting mine in the ground for two seasons. During this time, I hope to do major, pruning and wiring.

 

[Ruddigger]

I mean, I built out a decent stone pine in 3 years, but california is cheating.

 

[bugjuice-bonsai]

I know it’s getting late in the year, but right now is when the good deals can be had on these Seasonal Holiday trees.

I picked up an Alberta spruce today half off, and was like, “ I should see if anyone wants to do this again.”

This one was half off from $40-$20, so I decided to give Alberta Spruce another try.View attachment 520455

I'm in

 

[Eckhoffw]

I mean, I built out a decent stone pine in 3 years, but california is cheating.

Yeah, you definitely did!

I don’t know, let’s see you do it again!

 

[Wulfskaar]

I’m curious if there are any particular issues with DAS i should be aware of. Is it just that they grow very slowly, or something more challenging?

I got a small one for Christmas 2 years ago and it has only grown about 3/4" at the tips of the branches. Of course, I am in southern California, so my climate may have a lot to do with that.

 

[pandacular]

I got a small one for Christmas 2 years ago and it has only grown about 3/4" at the tips of the branches. Of course, I am in southern California, so my climate may have a lot to do with that.

Good thing I just went ahead and bought a big one

I think my expectations and experience will be quite different, as I won’t aggressively apply bonsai techniques, at least until mine has completed it’s service as a Christmas tree—which is a point yet to be determined!

 

[Wulfskaar]

Good thing I just went ahead and bought a big one

I think my expectations and experience will be quite different, as I won’t aggressively apply bonsai techniques, at least until mine has completed it’s service as a Christmas tree—which is a point yet to be determined!

The only thing I did was repot mine and did maybe too much root pruning. It's basically been recovering for almost 2 years now, but it does seem a bit healthier.

 

[pandacular]

The only thing I did was repot mine and did maybe too much root pruning. It's basically been recovering for almost 2 years now, but it does seem a bit healthier.

Interesting. One of my teachers has a good number of nice spruces, I’ll make sure to ask him about root pruning spruces. I’ve heard they can be finicky with roots.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Interesting. One of my teachers has a good number of nice spruces, I’ll make sure to ask him about root pruning spruces. I’ve heard they can be finicky with roots.

Just fyi... most of the growth occurred March through May. I found a pic from May showing the new growth in the brighter green. Looking closer, I probably did get 1" growth in some places.

 

[Sixty’s]

Yeah definitely. It’s kind of why I think three years is a good time frame for this contest.

At three years, if there’s enough people that want to keep going till five years, we will definitely do that!

I definitely would be up for it,

 

[BobbyLane]

Just fyi... most of the growth occurred March through May. I found a pic from May showing the new growth in the brighter green. Looking closer, I probably did get 1" growth in some places.

View attachment 521453

@leatherback has a couple good Spruce videos regarding rootwork, top work timing etc

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I mean, I built out a decent stone pine in 3 years, but california is cheating.

I love your Stone Pine. Stellar.

 

[leatherback]

just to make sure.. Does it HAVE to be little christmas tree?
I have a grower near me, who will allow me & a shovel to drop by when they are clearing the land of the treestumps leftover for replanting. I aim to dig a trunk with initial 2-4 branches still in place.

 

[sevan]

I went back to Home Depot today and picked some trees to work with, but the SKU was no longer in the system and they said they couldn't sell it to me. So, I guess I'll have to skip this one.

 

[Adamski77]

just to make sure.. Does it HAVE to be little christmas tree?
I have a grower near me, who will allow me & a shovel to drop by when they are clearing the land of the treestumps leftover for replanting. I aim to dig a trunk with initial 2-4 branches still in place.

When do you plan to do it? I just came to Europe for Xmas and have the same idea/plan. Just thought December might not be the best time.

 

[Cajunrider]

So I went to 4 supermarkets, Home Depot and Lowes and couldn't find a single little Christmas tree worth trying.
I did find a bunch of $8 clearance 7ft Christmas trees but last I checked, pine cuttings don't grow roots
I'm not lucky like @leatherback who can go dig up Christmas tree stumps

 

[leatherback]

I'm not lucky like @leatherback who can go dig up Christmas tree stumps

true, but mine will not be little christmas trees to I am not sure they qualify (Let alone, will live.

Just thought December might not be the best time.

Well.. Considering everything is under water here, not for several weeks. I doubt the farmer will do this much later than Jan though,

 

[Ruddigger]

true, but mine will not be little christmas trees to I am not sure they qualify (Let alone, will live.


Well.. Considering everything is under water here, not for several weeks. I doubt the farmer will do this much later than Jan though,

Sounds cool, but not sure its in the spirit of the contest.

I just picked mine up today. Even on sale it cost me 50 bucks.

 

[Eckhoffw]

just to make sure.. Does it HAVE to be little christmas tree?
I have a grower near me, who will allow me & a shovel to drop by when they are clearing the land of the treestumps leftover for replanting. I aim to dig a trunk with initial 2-4 branches still in place.

Man, I’m on the fence with this one.
I think it might be a little out of the parameters of this contest.

At the same time, There’s no reason why you couldn’t unOfficially enter it, so we can all fallow your findings.

I’m personally really intrigued by this as I think the same thing each time we go cut our live Christmas tree from the tree farm.

Sometimes you can find a trunk with new leader(s) from the previous years harvest.

One Christmas tree farm We used to go to, wouldn’t pull their stumps from the year before, And would have all sorts of weird new growth. I always wanted to ask if I could come dig those up.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Sounds cool, but not sure its in the spirit of the contest.

I just picked mine up today. Even on sale it cost me 50 bucks.
View attachment 521561

View attachment 521561That looks like a nice tree though.

$50 isn’t cheap but I’m sure you’ll make it worth it.
How big is that thing?