Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit [Paperback]

Robert D Wray (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813544173 | ISBN-13: 978-0813544175 | Publication Date: January 30, 2009 | Edition: 4

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For both the first time Christmas tree grower and the veteran grower, this is a must-read book. The information Wray provides stregthens the grower's understanding of the business today and brings new insight for the beginners. --Chris Colucci, The Bardonia Tree Farm, NY, established 1972

This book should be required reading for the new or prospective Christmas tree grower. --Journal of Forestry

From the Inside Flap

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; 4 edition (January 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813544173
• ISBN-13: 978-0813544175
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #723,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have!, October 15, 2003

By 

Brianne (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit: Third Edition (Hardcover)

This book covers everything for prospective Christmas Tree Farm owners from how to know which land is best for your trees to marketing and selling your trees. It is definialy a must have for those with an interest in owning a Christmas tree farm. The author wrote the book in a very easy and whimsical way to make the book very enjoyable to read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference on this subject, August 10, 2005

By 

John Schmeltz (Klingerstown, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit: Third Edition (Hardcover)

A lot of good and useful information can be had from this book. I would recommend this book to anyone starting in the "field" of Christmas tree growing, (excuse the pun). Personally, I preferred the book by Lewis Hill on this suject as that book is a little more fun to read than this was at times. This book also sports many dated black and white pictures. The information is of course current, but you will know right away that this book was written and compiled during the 1960's vs. modern day. Don't let these minor criticisms stop you from getting this book though. As I said, a lot of good info. is available and it stands as a good reference for this subject.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy, good information!, January 24, 2010

By 

J. Rogelio Cordovez "Rogelio Cordovez" (Asheville, NC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit (Paperback)

For those who are thinking of going into the Christmas Trees business or doing it for pleasure, this is a very informative book, easy to understand and visualize. The 178 plus pages go really fast, I read the book in two days and now I'm keeping it as a reference. Lot's of good knowledge gathered from different professionals in the Christmas Trees business. The book goes from "Selecting Land" and "Species to Grow" to "Going to Market", and "Profit and Taxes". The progression of this book makes for an easy understandable read and guides you from start to finish.