Christmas Tree Issue
(Continued from Pago Al)
containing the plant, placed
inside.
The system solves a variety of
problems for growers. It
moderates container media tem
perature, providing a more fa
vorable root growth
environment during the
summer. Plants growing in this
system do not blow over during
high wind.
The PIP system, noted Bates,
is ideal for overwintering plants,
eliminating the need for po
lyhouses or thermal blankets.
PIP technology has been
adopted by growers at a phe
nomenal rate since its inception
about a decade ago, and PIP
acreage increases yearly.
How does it work?
Bates provided an example of
a typical 5- or 6-foot tall tree
placed into a 15-gallon con
tainer in a PIP system. “A key
• Dump Truck Loads
• Spreaders Available
Rohrer’s Quality Hi-Cal Damp Lime
88% CCE
ENP 67
55%
65%
98%
NOW ONLY $4.50 Per Ton (Picked Up)
IHE
Registered with PA Department of Agriculture
Lebanon Valley Enterprises, Inc.
Manufacturing • Powder Coating • Precast
RO. Box 187, Myerstown, PA 17067 • (717) 866-2030
component of the PIP system is
copper-impregnated paint ap
plied to the inside surface of the
growing container,” he noted.
When the tree roots grow,
they typically hit the container
wall and begin to circle, a re
sponse known as “girdling.” In
the PIP system, the roots hit the
copper, which slightly burns the
root tips, causing them to
branch and become more fibrous
and dense. This improves the
growth rate of the plant and en
hances establishment after
transplanting, according to the
specialist.
Bates emphasized that while
the PIP technology may not be
the answer for all container
growers in the state, PIP tech
nology could be used more fully
by Pennsylvania growers.
In his newly created position,
Bates noted he plans to address
production and pest manage-
Calcium Oxide 41%
Magnesium Oxide 6%
Passing 100 Mesh
Passing 60 Mesh
Passing 20 Mesh
Lititz, PA • (717) 626-9760
ment issues.
And the only way to go about
developing an effective exten
sion program for growers is to
“talk and visit and interact with
you,” he told growers at the
meeting.
Bates, who was born and
raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, also
worked in West Virginia and
Montana.
Bates’ field of expertise is
woody ornamental plants. But
he has worked in teaching, re
search, and extension.
Through Bates pointed out he
doesn’t come from a Christmas
tree production background, he
has experience working with the
nursery industry, which uses
many of the same production
practices as Christmas tree pro
duction.
Bates noted that “effective ex
tension programs for growers
should be geared to solving
problems and. include informa
tion growers could take back to
MARTIN’S TIRE & ALIGNMENT
RETE
fraction Field & Road
13 6x28 6 ply $190.00
18.4x30 6 ply $340.00
18.4x38 6 ply $350.00
20.8 x 38 8 ply $495.00
Visit or call us today!
MARTIN’S TIRE &
ALIGNMENT
Located in Churchtown
119 Water St., Narvon, PA 17555
717-445-4993
Agricultural Generators
Spectrum Detroit Diesel / '
Automatic
L.P. Gas, Diesel,
Natural Gas Generators
5 to 2,000 KW
25 to 135 KW Units
In Stock!
Service - Rental - New & Used Units In Stock
SYSTEMS
Power Generation Systems Specialists
330 Fonderwhite Road, Lebanon, PA 17042
Call Leonard Martin
their farm. That would include
looking at ways to address issues
such as best management prac
tices, marketing, and developing
improved pest tolerance,” he
said.
Research and marketing work
also needs to involve the na
tional and state Christmas tree
grower associations.
One of those areas would be
improving marketing. Now,
about a third of the public uses
artificial trees.
‘lt’s important to continue en
couraging consumers to use real
Christmas trees,” noted Bates.
“One key will be to emphasize
how Christmas tree production
benefits the environment and to
rekindle the tradition of using
real trees.”
Bates comes to Penn State via
Montana, where he held a teach
ing/research position in the De
partment of Plant Sciences at
Montana State University. He
We’re Your Firestone
Farm Tire Dealer!
Count on us year-round for:
• A complete line of Firestone farm tires
• In the field emergency repair service
• Implement and light truck tires in stock too 1
Many Other Tires In Stock - Call For Prices
FARM TIRES
Firestone All fraction 23°
18.4R34 1 ★ $540.00
20.8R38 1 ★ $730.00
20.8R38 2 ★ $845.00
20 8R42 2 ★ $875.00
Lancaster Fanning, Saturday. November 4, 2000-A39
also worked as an extension
agent in Hamilton County, Ohio
and Botetourt County, Virginia.
Bates obtained several de
grees, including his bachelor’s in
1982 at West Virginia Univer
sity, a master’s in horticulture in
1985 from the same university,
and a doctorate in horticulture
in 1994 from Virginia Tech.
For growers, Bates indicated
the Christmas Tree Manage
ment Short Course at Penn
State is scheduled Feb. 21-22 at
the Penn Stater in State College.
Bates can be reached by e
mail at rmb3o@psu.edu or by
phone at (814) 863- 2198.
Also, a new agent, Laura
McNutt, a Berks County native,
has joined Berks extension as a
horticultural agent. McNutt,
who has ornamental experience
and was employed as a technical
services and sales representative
with E.C. Geiger Inc., grew up
in Wernersville.
Firestone Radial 23°
18 4R34 1* $525.00
18 4R38 1* $530.00
20 BR3B 1 * $680.00
18.4R42 2 * $670.00
” ■■ J.i 'I mi ] 1 1
firetfone,
V ‘
FARM TIRES
THF IFADFR IN THF Fill D
717-273-4544
Fax 717-273-5186