Best Practices for Native Stand Christmas Tree Silvopastures

Research and many years of practical experience have shown that Christmas-tree management in silvopasture settings is compatible with achieving multiple values, to the benefit of industry and conservation goals.  With funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, Kootenay Tree Farms has refined silvopasture techniques for enhanced production of forages for both wildlife and cattle, and, tree management for rhabdocline (Rhabdocline pseudotsugae) disease control.

Forage Production

Forages are a key consideration in any silvopasture operation.  In the context of Christmas tree silvopastures in the East Kootenay region, they have direct relevance to livestock production potential, and also are a variable of consideration for land use decisions and wildlife enhancement.

The Kootenay/Boundary Land Use Plan recommends periodic entries of prescribed burning, thinning and partial-cutting to maintain open forest conditions and rangeland values.  And, ecosystem restoration projects are currently underway in several areas of the region.  To date however, no projects have compared the effects of different types of Christmas tree management systems on forage production.

One of the objectives of this operational trial was to demonstrate that a silvopasture system will benefit forage production, improve forage quality and increase the grazable area of a pasture.  Treatments (with untreated controls) were installed, representing the effect of the silvopasture management system on plant communities that are dominated by native and domestic vegetation, respectively.  The first post-treatment monitoring took place in 2013.  Preliminary results have shown that forage cover, production and species diversity increases with decreasing overstory, under a silvopasture scheme.  The long-term suitability of silvopastures to contribute as an ecosystem restoration / forage enhancement land management tool will require additional monitoring to see if these trends hold.

Economics

A production system cost-benefit analysis has been developed based on the project results with regional Christmas tree production and market information.  The production model, which Kootenay Tree Farms has evolved is based on years of practice in the East Kootenay region, is rooted in the philosophy of ‘doing it the best way for the greatest return’.  Underlying this management concept is a goal of providing agroforestry management options to producers which enhance producer and ecological sustainability, while complementing larger landscape-level management strategies. 

The review gathered economic and production data for a hypothetical Christmas tree enterprise in the East Kootenay region of BC.  It was undertaken primarily for Christmas tree producers and those potentially interested in becoming a Christmas tree producers, and was designed to provide a starting point for them to assess the potential of a Christmas tree enterprise.  The analysis provides a beginning economic assessment from which to consider one's own notions about production and economic factors, and the potentials and pitfalls of a Christmas tree enterprise in this region.

Disease Control

Christmas trees have been pruned for a long time to improve tree quality but never to control disease.  In this project component, Kootenay Tree Farms investigated different management methods to control or eliminate Rhabdocline disease in Douglas-fir Christmas trees.  The results indicate that techniques that build the soil duff layer, improve soil fertility, or reduce surface temperatures or humidity can contribute to significant reductions in disease levels in the trees.   Using pruning and tree thinning methods that improve air flow through the production site, together with practices that improve the health of the trees are key.

Integrating Streamside Shrub Products with Honey Bees

British Columbia’s forest lands abound with streams.  Scattered across the Province are numerous small private woodlot owners who manage forests associated with streams. These riparian corridors are rarely utilized, yet can provide multiple benefits when managed with care.

Agroforestry is a concept that can be easily applied to riparian areas.  It’s a management approach that integrates familiar and new agriculture and forestry practices into land management systems which contribute to diversification and sustainability of production.  Riparian zones can generate products for extra income while being carefully managed to protect these biodiverse habitats.

Integrated Riparian Management is an agroforestry system that relies on a steady source of production while caretaking unique sensitive and remarkable ecological attributes.  Because riparian areas are prone to soil and surface water impacts, the land owner must choose crops and harvesting systems which will not cause significant impacts.  Example of products that may be cultivated without adverse soil and vegetation disturbance include florals, wreaths, Christmas trees, berries, nuts, timber, and bee products.  Another consideration is which of these products have a good market demand.  Thus, a source of income is gained.

To gain enhanced benefits, a well-designed and implemented riparian management scheme will integrate more than one component.  For example, partial shade provided from tree canopies are a preferred sunlight condition for huckleberries.  By selectively harvesting trees and maintaining perpetual tree cover, huckleberry production is enhanced while limiting soil and forest disturbance which can impact streams.

Design and Establishment

Oregon grape

Currently, there are market demands for many naturally grown products in BC such as berries, bark, evergreen boughs, and honey.  It’s useful to consult experts such as agroforestry specialists (e.g. within the BC Ministry of Agriculture), purchasers of products (e.g. grocery co-ops), farm market coordinators, or even local cultivators about what is in demand.  Particular plants that aren’t widely regarded as valuable for cultivation may actually have uses which are in-demand.  Once marketable species are identified, you should make sure they are a good match for the soil, sunlight, moisture, and temperature conditions of your property.  Although riparian zones can be assumed to have ample water availability, the amount of water can vary widely based on distance to stream, or during the course of the growing season.  Perennials are usually a better choice due to lower maintenance needs than annuals, as well as less frequent soil disturbance.  Although not imperative, by choosing plants that are native to the region, certain risks are lessened.  For example, native species will typically be better adapted to the climate and pests in the region.  When integrating with honey bees, it’s also useful to research which plants may be of higher value to bees.  Long-time beekeepers and various published forage guides can better ensure a good match.

A Kootenay Demonstration

Cascara seeding ready for planting

With funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, a demonstration site was recently established in the Slocan Valley where there is a substantial demand for locally grown products.  The shrub species selected for this system have markets both within and outside the region.  Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) is a tree which grows to about 10 meters tall.  Its bark is in demand as a natural laxative ingredient.  High bush cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) is needed for a variety of medicinal uses as well as for its berries.  Demand for tall Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is also rising.  It is used as a substitute for goldenseal which has international trade restrictions due to conservation concerns.  Its berries are increasingly used in food products and the foliage is a popular landscaping product.  These three native species were planted on about 1.5 acres of riparian habitat during 2012-13.  The three species vary in habitat requirements and were planted accordingly.  This has resulted in greater than 90% survivorship at the end of their first growing season.

In 2013 an existing bee yard was expanded to a capacity of 10 hives during the riparian shrub plantings.  The back side of the bee yard abuts a forested riparian zone which serves as a useful windbreak.  The bee yard meets a large forest opening on its south margin with full sun exposure – this creates a favorable microclimate for bee survival during the cold months.   During berry season, it’s necessary to temporarily extend the bee yard’s electric bear fencing to encircle the berry plants.  This is done mostly with temporary step-in fence posts and a lighter grade of wire.

Integration

Streamside shrubs deliver many integrated benefits

One of the greatest virtues of this agroforestry system is how the different components are blended to interact and complement each other.  Water associated with the streams can ensure good productivity of the cultivated plants.  Their canopies help shade the streams keeping the water temperatures from overheating to the detriment of aquatic life while stabilizing soil.  The cool clean water is maintained for wildlife and drinking water.  Honey bees drink directly from streams and often transport it back to hives for use in evaporative cooling.  The taller vegetation associated with riparian zones serves as a windbreak for hives – especially valuable during the cold winter months.  The carefully chosen cultivated plants will be frequented by bees.  The pollination that results may lead to enhanced berry production and reproduction of new plants.  In return, the pollen and nectar provided to honey bees will enhance yields of honey.  In fact, by choosing bee-valued plants, lessor-known native bees can benefit.  Both imported honey bees and native bees are critical for plant production, yet their numbers are declining worldwide. 

Plan

1. Investigate the demand for herbal products and whether the particular species are a good match for your riparian area site conditions.
2. If you’re not familiar with beekeeping, take a course or contact your local beekeeping group for a mentor to help decide if it’s right for you.
3. Consider travel time from your home.  Bees need to be tended nearly every week during the spring.
4. Sketch a layout of your area for cultivation.  Calculate the number of plants to acquire based on spacing requirements. 

Prepare

1. Prepare planting area by pruning lower tree branches and carefully thinning competing woody species.
2. Order plants and bees during the winter for spring arrival.  Having a registered business with Revenue Canada will significantly reduce prices (wholesale) with nurseries.
3.  Ensure vehicle access to the bee yard and install electric fencing before hives are established.

Planting and Tending

1. Planting during the dormant season (early spring or fall) often results in better survivorship of seedlings.
2. Monitor plants and bees for pest damage and respond as needed.

Cold-Climate Food Forest Design and Methods

Increased interest and demand for regional food forest models and education was the motivation behind Clear Sky Farm's agroforestry demonstration near Fort Steele, BC.  With funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, Clear Sky has implemented a showcase food forest model for Southeastern British Columbia that is both ecologically sound and productive.

Cold-climate Food Food Forest Design

The 1-acre food forest site is situated in an area previously used as a hay field and was created with a design that fits well with the existing structures, activities and landscape.  With a goal of trying to grow as many types of foods suitable to a Zone 4 climate as possible and other site influences, including cold winds from two opposing directions, an oval design was chosen for the food forest.   The outer ring of the food forest contains primarily windbreak species chosen for their rapid growth rate and hardiness (e.g. caragana, linden, poplar, and willow).  The windbreak has the tallest trees in the entire food forest system, to give as much site protection as possible, and tall vegetation on the north side also acts as a solar catchment.  The south side of the food forest has less tall trees, but still enough to provide wind protection.

As one moves into the centre of the food forest oval, there is an increase in heat accumulation, making it more conducive for fruit and berry production.  The inner circles of plants (including blueberries, haskap, raspberries, currants, apple, pear, plums, hawthorn, and saskatoon) have a higher demand for pollinators and soil nutrition, therefore the design has included both a higher concentration of pollinator plants and nitrogen fixing species.

An important aspect of the design is the concept of 'vertical stacking' where different levels of fruit trees and shrubs make good use of vertical space.  Plant placement, especially important for herbaceous stock, was chosen according to water demand, sunlight and shade requirements.  In the outer rows, annual crops can be grown in beds between the large tree and shrub species for at least 4 to 5 years.  Green manure crops that die in the winter can also be interplanted to help build the soil.

The inner three circles also have a far higher density of total plant material.  This reflects the need for more attention with harvest, pruning and water needs, as they are easier to care for in the centre ring of the food forest.  All the species, especially the food plants, have been chosen to be perfectly hardy in the cold climate conditions of the East Kootenay.  Cultivars with a wider range of ripening time were also selected, which will give some type of food from snow melt until snow fall each year.

Incorporation of sand beds, some woody material, long-season flowering and native plants has also been used to benefit the establishment of a healthy pollinator populations.  Sand beds provide nesting sites for many of the beneficial wild bees.  And woody material works well for providing habitat for many species of ground beetle.  Together with the high plant species diversity within the food forest area, these methods help to achieve excellent control of disease and insect problems.

Streamside Honeybees and Native Shrubs Agroforestry Video

The Murray family woodlot has released a video describing their integrated riparian management system near Slocan

Streamside Honeybees Agroforestry Tour, September 7

Streamside Honeybees Agroforestry Tour,
Saturday September 7, 2013 13:00 - 14:00
8875 Martens Rd, Slocan City, BC

Beekeeping with native stream-side shrubs is the topic of a free tour being offered near Slocan City on Saturday, September 7. The tour will highlight the results of a demonstration project at the Murray Family Woodlot where a riparian area is newly planted with three native shrubs well-suited to the region. The Murray Family, with funding from the British Columbia Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AIDI ), are showcasing the benefits of integrating honey bees in riparian plantings for both conservation benefits and economic diversification.

The Kootenays are replete with small private land parcels endowed with streams. These riparian corridors are rarely utilized, yet can provide multiple benefits to land owners when managed with care. Many native shrubs grow products like berries and bark which are in demand for food and medicinals. When beehives are nearby, flowering shrubs benefit from honey bee pollination services while also benefiting bees with pollen and nectar for producing honey. Riparian buffers further complement hives by providing both a windbreak and surface water required by bees. Thus, sensitive riparian systems can be managed for economic benefit while protecting drinking water and wildlife habitat.


Directions to Tour: From Hwy 6, turn on to Martens Rd (1.3 km south of Slocan City exit).  Drive past the 'White Pines Dojo' sign and continue uphill to the corner.  There is a driveway on left side of road just before this corner, and 8875 sign.  (If you miss, you'll simply come to dead-end).

Please park along road.  (Parking space is limited up the driveway).  If you arrive late, you can simply walk up driveway about 100 meters and give a holler.

For additional details on the tour, please contact Michael Murray at 250-354-1412.

Food Forest Training Workshop, Spring 2013

Clear Sky Farm is pleased to offer the first East Kootenay extended residential Food Forest training workshop, in Spring 2013.

This food forest program will provide a solid foundation in Food Forest theory (April 20-21) as well as hands-on establishment training and practice (April 22-May 5). Richard Walker, one of Canada’s most experienced forest gardeners will be teaching the course. The hands-on component will involve the planting of a one acre food forest.

Experience permaculture-based food forest gardening for cold climates firsthand. Learn how to combine layerings of perennial nuts, fruits and medicinals for an abundant and diverse food and medicine supply in your garden or on your farm.

Great for garden & food enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. If you have done a permaculture course you will find that this course provides the practical details and opportunities you need to implement permaculture’s broader principles & theories. This course attracts a broad section of experienced and knowledgeable participants who love to learn together.

A Video Introducing the Food Forest Project :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_PlCE895Rw

Food Forest Demonstration Website Live

Clear Sky Center's food forest demonstration website is now live at:

www.clearskyfarm.com/food-forest/

Learn more about agroforestry on this unique food forest model which includes a wide variety of nut trees, fruit trees, medicinals, berries, vines, shrubs, timber, mulch & shelter trees, all grown together in a holistic ecosystem based design.

Kootenay Silvopasture Tour, Sept 20, 2012

Kootenay Silvopasture Tour
Thursday, 20 September 2012, 09:00 – 14:00
Start from junction of Pritchard Road and Hwy 3/93, Cranbrook 

Free to participate, but you must arrange your own transportation and lunch.

Kootenay Tree Farms, with funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, is pleased to host a tour of Christmas tree - silvopasture production sites near Cranbrook in the east Kootenay region. 

The tour will include:

1. A discussion on Christmas tree disease and control with a demonstration of tree pruning techniques;
2. A comparison of disease incidence in pruned and unpruned test plots;
3. A forage identification session and demonstration of using portable forage cages and clipping to determine annual production; and,
4. A look at how silvopasture methods can enhance forage and tree growth in these systems. 

Car pooling from the Pritchard Road / Hwy 3 junction, or other locations, to the tour sites will be available if there is sufficient demand.

New Research Will Determine Best Practices for Christmas Tree Production in Silvopastures

Research and many years of practical experience have shown that Christmas-tree management in silvopasture settings is compatible with achieving multiple values to the benefit of industry and conservation goals.  With funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AIDI), Kootenay Tree Farms will work on refining silvopasture techniques for enhanced production of forages for both wildlife and cattle, and, tree management for rhabdocline (Rhabdocline pseudotsugae) disease control.

Christmas tree management in silvopastures can benefit understory forage and reduce disease

The production model which Kootenay Tree Farms has evolved is based on years of practice in the East Kootenay region, and is rooted in the philosophy of ‘doing it the best way for the greatest return’.  Underlying this management concept is a goal of providing small-scale agroforestry management options to producers which enhance producer and ecological sustainability, while complementing larger landscape-level management strategies.  Managed within a silvopasture scenario, previous demonstration work and operational experience provide good indications of the potential increases in available forage, concomitant with Christmas tree management through pruning and fertilization.  Likewise, it is known that livestock in silvopastures are an important contributor to Christmas tree production by means of controlling competing vegetation.  Christmas tree silvopastures have the potential to enhance areas wildlife and livestock on public lands within the region, plus contributing to other values, while the costs can be maintained by the Christmas tree permittee.

The new work will compare forage production at two sites incorporating differing treatment combinations of fertilization, pruning and forage composition.  The project is located on a stump-culture native-stand Christmas tree production area on a BC Hydro transmission line right of way (ROW).  Kootenay Tree Farms has been operating this management area in conjunction with BC Hydro for over 20 years.  Christmas trees produced on site are predominantly Douglas fir and the whole tree farm is just under 400 ha.  The demonstration will utilize five, 2 ha blocks of the Christmas tree production area, descending in elevation and separated by other operational Christmas-tree production areas.  Each block will include the following three treatments:

1. Pruned, spaced and fertilized - with domestic forage in the understory;
2. Pruned, spaced and fertilized - with native grasses/forages in the understory;
3. Unpruned, unspaced and unfertilized – with domestic forages in the understory. 

Productivity and species composition of both domestic and native grasses will be estimated and the Christmas trees will be monitored via a rating system for the occurrence of rhabdocline disease and response to pruning and elevational position (onset of bud break via temperature relationships).  The Christmas trees will also be evaluated for variables which impact their marketability including form, colour and needle/branch density.

A production system cost-benefit analysis will be developed based on the project results and regional production and market information for a communication fact sheet.  And Kootenay Tree Farms will also work with the Christmas tree, range management and wildlife organizations by sharing information and inviting members to field workshops.

Kootenay Tree Farms, of Cranbook, has been in business for over 25 years producing native-stand Christmas trees on both a BC Hydro right-of-way (under a lease agreement) and a -permit area on Crown land.  Christmas trees have been the focus of production however, Kootenay Tree Farms also has experience diversifying production through related products such as boughs, wreathes and garlands.

For more information on silvopasture management using Christmas trees please see AIDI Extension Note 3.

Integrating Apiculture in Riparian Buffers

British Columbia is replete with small private woodlots endowed with streams.  Riparian corridors can provide multiple benefits to land owners when managed with care to conserve the high watershed and biodiversity values that these zones provide.

The Murray Family Woodlot is a small, family-run woodlot located in the West Kootenay region near Slocan Lake.  Micheal Murray and family manage riparian, forest, and open-canopied land cover on their property.  This mixture provides opportunities to demonstrate novel approaches to land use, and agroforestry is their choice because of its integrative design, environmental sustainability, and long-term revenue potential.

With funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, the Murray Family will use their woodlot to demonstrate the benefits of blending apiculture in an integrated riparian management system.  The shrubs in this system will benefit from honey bee pollination services, just as they, in turn, support honey production.  The riparian buffer further complements the apiary by providing both a windbreak and surface water required by bees.

With the technical assistance of the Slocan River Streamkeepers, cascara (Rhamnus purshiana), high bush cranberry (Viburnum opulus), and tall Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium) will be established in the riparian buffers along two small streams in the woodlot.  These shrubs will be spaced at approximately 3- x 3-m spacing, with the exact planting locations varying to match planting conditions (e.g. soil moisture, associated vegetation) along each stream.  These species have been chosen for this multi-purpose planting, as they can positively contribute to the riparian health and function, support the apiary, and in time, yield a selective harvest of flower, fruit and other plant parts for sale as raw ingredients into the natural health products markets.

Cascara will be part of a multi-purpose integrated riparian management planting demonstration in the West Kootenay

The demonstration will provide a platform for regional woodlot and agricultural producers to see how financial gains in early stages of an agroforestry operation may be achieved by incorporating honey production into the system.  Combining perpetual shrub and honey production will also demonstrate longer-term self-sufficiency.  Information collected during the set-up and early operation of this demonstration will be used to generate a cost-benefit analysis, so that other prospective agroforestry practitioners can assess the financial suitability of this agroforestry practice to their operations.

The Murray's will be hosting a field tour and will conduct presentations and a webinar related to the project, and will soon be establishing a project website.  For more information, please contact Michael Murray at 250-354-1412.

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Funding for this work has been provided through the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AGF1205)