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V 4 The Canadian Statesman. Bowmanvillc, December 23,1985 Real Christmas Tree Spirit Grows in Pontypool by Peter Parrott For some folks, a Christmas Christmas without a genuine tree is like a Christmas without Santa or plum pudding. Those of us who arc connoisseurs connoisseurs of the genuine Yulctidc tree can rest assured assured that people like Wilf Richardson arc making certain certain there are enough spruce,scotch pine, and firs to go around. Wilf Richardson is a Pontypool Pontypool Christmas tree farmer who has been in the business since he and his father sold their first trees around 1946. He agrees that Christmas tree cultivation isn't what it was in the 1960s, when between between 1.5 million and 1.25 million trees were dis patched from the Pontypool area destined for markets across North America. The trees were transported transported by the trainload. "We called them the Christmas Christmas Tree Specials," Mr. Richardson recalls. Nevertheless, today there are approximately 100,000 trees still harvested in the Pontypool area. It is estimated that there are 20 growers still remaining remaining in this region, a number that is down, from around 100 in the 1960s. Mr. Richardson, of W. Richardson Farms Limited, explains that when they planted their first trees in 1941, they had reforestra- tion in mind and not commercial commercial plantations. Christmas Present Contains Stereo System t r ■ tA*, 1 jr%. We hope we won't be giving away any secrets by reporting that the Christmas present shown above contains a stereo sound system which was Glad Tidings * n » t donated by the Xi Zeta Lambda Sorority to Nel Gor Castle Nursing Home in Newcastle Village. Shown here, from left, are: Gayle Stevenson, president president of the sorority; Emily Longo, a resident at Nel Gor; and Delores O'Connor, activities director. director. The presentation took place last Friday, December December 27. OBITUARY » % * % » % TS A Seasonal Greeting to all our ^ wonderful friends . . . and a special Thank You to all my customers in 1985. Wishing everyone a winning New Year. te Wright's Harness Supplies Telephone 263-8191 s ALBERT LEON GUNN A member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43, Albert Leon Gunn died Wednesday, Dec. 18,. 1985, at the Oshawa General Hospital. He lived at 406 Athol St. E., and had been a resident of Oshawa for 39 years. He previously lived in Bowmanville. Son of the late Jack and Anna Gunn, he was bom on March 21, 1914, at East Whitby. He was married in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Lindsay, on June 27,1942. Mr. Gunn was retired from I.T.N.T. He was also a member of the Oshawa Curling Club. 1 He is survived by his wife, the former Irene Hooper; two daughters, Mrs. David Simmons (Sandra) and Barbara Gunn, both of Oshawa; and two grandchildren, Kathryn and Laurie. Service was held in the chapel on Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m., followed by interment in Mount Lawn Cemetery. Padre Alfred Woolcock officiated. "We didn't know at that time that the Scotch Pine was good for Christmas trees," he explains. The government ministry which supplied the seedlings had done so because it ran out of other species. But the market grew rapidly and today, W. Richardson Farms Limited includes approximately 800 acres, including rented property. Nevertheless, it is the tree nursery and propagation propagation of seedlings which accounts accounts for about 75 to 80 per cent of business today. Wilf Richardson explains that in the 1960s and 1970s, the Christmas tree prices were low and it wasn't very profitable to prune and tend them. And this, rather than the competition from artificial trees, has caused a decline in the local Christmas tree harvest. In a typical year, seedlings seedlings are planted in April and May on tracts of land scheduled for reforestation. reforestation. Soil is cultivated and herbicides are - applied to control the weeds. For two to three years, the trees are not pruned. But, as they begin to mature, Scotch Pine are pruned and shaped between mid-June and mid-July while spruce can be pruned almost any time of the year except from May to July. In late September and early October, trees are marked for cutting and the pine trees are cut some time after October 20. Surprisingly, Surprisingly, the early harvest doesn't harm the pines. They seem to remain in better better condition this way. Spruce, however, are not cut until November 20 or thereabouts. Trees are wrapped with wire or plastic plastic netting and then they are ready for shipment. W. Richardson Farms Limited Limited shipped trees as far away as Cleveland this past season and at one time, the crop was sold as far away as California, Texas, Florida, or British Columbia. But, today, Ontario markets take up almost all of- the local output. Tree harvesting is a labor intensive enterprise, at peak times of the year. For example, it takes a staff of about 15 for pruning and between between seven arid eight for harvesting. 4]appq ijolidai] « Abundant and beautiful good wishes for the merriest merriest of holidays to all our good friends and patrons. from all of us at BEV'S Floral Creations 1*62 King St. E., Bowmanville Telephone 623-3377 After Hours: Call 623-5803 &Xem o We're starting 1 out on a happy & with Jolly holiday 5 wishes to all our friends and patrons. o from Lynn, Betty, Marg and Lorraine V.I.P. Hairstyling Limited 112 Waverley Rd. Bowmanville 623-6252 Specialists in Acrylic Nails! A Great Stocking Stutter! Gift Certificates Any amount for services or products. Use your Visa card for extra convenience. Wilf Richardson notes that although owning an artificial artificial tree was once a sign of prestige, today's trend is back to the genuine article. "The future, in my estimation, estimation, looks good for natural trees," he said. And consumers of tomorrow tomorrow will likely have a choice between a much larger variety of trees. For example, there are the old standbys of spruce and pine but also a number of new varieties such as Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, and Douglas Douglas Fir. The Douglas fir looks green and fresh for long periods of time. "It's probably probably the best Christmas tree you can have," says Mr. Richardson. But this variety variety is currently quite rare. So is the Fraser Fir, a tree which is native to North Carolina yet can tolerate temperatures of 40 degrees below zero. Scotch pine and spruce, however, account for 90 per cent of Christmas tree sales and Scotch Pines form just less than two- thirds of all sales. Mr. Richardson describes the hills of Pontypool and area as an ideal site for Christmas tree plantations because the sandy soil keeps other plant growth to , a minimum and gives the cultivated trees a better chance for survival. Trees have a number of natural enemies such as root collar weavil saw flies, and moths. But Wilf prefers not to spray them unless it's absolutely necessary. It's a policy he also follows with his nursery stock. A former president of the Ontario Christmas Tree Growers' Association, Wilf Richardson expects that there will remain a good demand demand for the living Christmas Christmas tradition of a decorated decorated tree. And, this spring, you'll find he and his staff planting planting upwards of 12,000 seedlings to renew the crop. Given six or seven years of growth, this Spring's seedling's growing near Pontypool will be brightening brightening festive living rooms in the mid-1990s. For area Christmas tree growers, the season is all but over by now. How-; ever, Wilf Richardson, of W. Richardson Farms Limited, in Pontypool, had a few evergreens left when he was visited by The Statesman last week. The area's Christmas tree industry is smaller than it once was. Nevertheless,; local growers still ship close to 100,000 trees per year.