MSU Extension releases new course on sustainable Christmas tree production

Heidi Lindberg<wollaege@msu.edu>, Bert Cregg<cregg@msu.edu>, Bill Lindberg<lindbe35@msu.edu> and Riley Johnson<rouseril@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - July 08, 2026

This online, self-paced course teaches all aspects of Christmas tree production, from planting to sale.

A man in a blue shirt holding red pruners to prune the top of a young Christmas tree. — Photo 1. Pruning Christmas trees. Photo by MSU Christmas tree team.

Michigan State University Extension is pleased to offer a new online course designed to teach all aspects of sustainable Christmas tree production. The course is called Sustainable Christmas Tree Production and is designed for new Christmas tree growers, but experienced growers will also benefit. Topics include all aspects of tree production with categories such as site selection, site preparation, how conifer seedings are produced in nurseries, and how to plant and care for Christmas trees through harvest. The course will emphasize practices that increase seedling survivability, reduce water consumption, and use integrated pest management to limit and effectively use pesticides when needed.

An area of brown, dead Christmas trees. — Photo 2. Christmas trees mortality from Phytophthora root rot. Photo by MSU Christmas tree team.

The course contains 18 individual units with each containing unique learning objectives, a video presentation, downloadable handouts and additional resources. The units of the course are:

Plantation Establishment
- Site Assessment and Species Selection
- Soil Basics and Soil Sampling
- Site Preparation and Planting
- Nurseries and Nursery Stock
Managing Christmas Tree Plantations
- Developing a Nutrient Management Plan
- Plant Nutrition
- Irrigation
- Shearing Conifers (Photo 1)
- Managing Cone Production
Integrated Pest Management
- Weed Management
- Developing an IPM Plan
- Insect Management
- Disease Management (Photo 2)
Safety Topics
- Christmas Tree Farm Safety
- Pesticide Safety
Marketing and Sales
- Harvesting (Photo 3)
- Greenery/Fresh Products
- Marketing

Bailing trees 3.jpg — Photo 3. Christmas tree harvest process. Photo by MSU Christmas tree team.

Upon viewing all the modules, taking the pre- and post-test and completing the survey, course participants can earn a certificate of completion. Access to the program is free, but registration is required.

MSU Extension gratefully acknowledges the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant for funding the development of this new course. We thank Amy Start and the Michigan Christmas Tree Association for their guidance and assistance with the grant process. We would also like to thank:

Mel Koelling, Michigan State University, Professor Emeritus
Laurie Koelling, Tannenbaum Tree Farms
Dave Ellis, Michigan State University
Scott Powell, Northern Pines Nursery
Rex and Jessica Korson, Korson’s Christmas Tree Farms
Ed Carpenter, Peacock Road Family Farm
Tyler Kluck, Kluck Nursery, Inc.
Mitchell Fox, MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).