Christmas tree pruning demo at Law Farm

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Toby Hall will be leading a Christmas tree pruning demonstration at the Law Farm property on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Individuals who would like to attend the demonstration to learn about pruning techniques, and also have a hands-on opportunity to practice this skill, are welcome to join Hall and additional members of the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) as they work to re-shape the balsam fir on the farm.

    According to Hall, “Natural pruning is used for fir trees that are meant to have ornaments on them. Open spaces are created between the branches. This allows Christmas tree decorations to really show through the branches.” Hall has assisted the PCSWCD by pruning about 50 trees so far, and it is the goal of the conservation district to prune the remaining trees this fall. The fir trees on the Law Farm were originally planted by Steve Law and area school children as part of the Kids and Trees program.
    The Laws donated their farmland to the PCSWCD in 2009. Since that time, the conservation district has been managing the farm as a sustainable community land resource, so that this special property will grow as an educational, recreational and economic asset for our region. The PCSWCD has started building multi-use trails at the Law Farm, which are open to the public for year-round outdoor education and enjoyment.
    Hall and his wife Cynthia are the owners of Hall’s Christmas Tree Farm in Sangerville. Over 50,000 Christmas trees are grown on the Hall farm, and approximately 5,000 trees are harvested each year — trees that bring joy to families throughout the Northeast and beyond as they gather together during the Christmas season. The Halls also make and sell a variety of decorative greens, including wreaths, roping, swags and kissing balls.
    All are welcome to join the PCSWCD at this event, and are asked to contact the PCSWCD by Friday, Oct. 11 to pre-register. The Law Farm is located at 477 Milo Road and parking for the workshop is in the farm parking area on the Lee Cemetery Road. For more information and to pre-register, please e-mail info@piscataquisswcd.org, call 564-2321, extension 3 or stop into the PCSWCD at the USDA Service Center Pine Crest Business Park 42 Engdahl Drive in Dover-Foxcroft.