Cornell Helps NY Christmas Tree Farms Grow Sustainably

By Blake Jackson

Christmas tree farming plays an important role in New York’s economy, extending far beyond seasonal celebrations. Covering more than 22,000 acres and generating as much as $22 million in yearly sales, the industry supports family-owned farms across the state.

To keep operations profitable and environmentally responsible, Cornell’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) are helping growers reduce chemical use while improving efficiency and sustainability.

These efforts are especially valuable for small, multi-generation farms. At Darling Christmas Tree Farms in Clifton Springs, Jeff Darling continues a family legacy by focusing on healthier trees through IPM practices. “If we don’t have to spray chemicals, we don’t want to,” Darling says.

That mindset led the Darling family to partner with Cornell IPM senior extension associates Elizabeth Lamb and Amara Dunn-Silver. Together, they transformed an underperforming acre into a pollinator garden filled with native plants. The habitat now attracts beneficial insects, including lady beetles that feed on pests threatening Fraser, Concolor, and Canaan firs. “We learned there are insects that can help you manage the insects you don’t want,” Darling explains.

Similar partnerships are helping growers statewide. On Long Island, Joe Shipman of Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm works closely with CCE extension specialist Mina Vescera, who conducts soil testing to create tailored nutrient management plans. Each August, Vescera samples needle tips from mature trees destined for holiday homes and analyzes nitrogen levels. If levels drop below 2%, she recommends a light fertilizer application. “It greens up the tree and makes it more appealing to shoppers,” Vescera explains.

Pest management also requires careful timing. Dan Gilrein, a CCE entomologist at Cornell’s Long Island research facility, helps growers identify and manage insect threats, including gall midge flies. “It’s a tough one,” Gilrein says. “There’s a very narrow window for timing management when flies are active.”

Elizabeth Lamb says the goal of IPM is to help growers improve yields, shorten production cycles, and lower costs. “A Cornell workshop might include a couple of people who handle production and another who makes wreaths,” Lamb says. “Like any business, they want to make more money, but they’re also deeply invested in doing things the right way.”

Photo Credit: gettyimages-nathaniel-young