Watauga tree farmers have taken important steps to preserve the quality of the environment both on and surrounding tree farms. They integrate farm best management practices onto their farms such as, leaving buffer strips between fields and water sources, and planting farm borders for the benefit of indigenous wildlife. Farmers also work with the NC Cooperative Extension Service, the local Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to ensure their farms are productive and sustainably managed. Farmers implement IPM in several ways:

1. Scouting trees regularly for both beneficial and pest insects. IPM requires that farmers regularly check their fields for insect populations. Beneficial insects, such as hover flies and predatory mites, as well as problematic insects like the Balsam Woolly Adelgid and spider mites, are assessed to determine if tree damage is likely to occur. Through this practice, farmers are able to save money by reducing pesticide treatments, preserving the beneficial insect populations, and cutting back on labor expenses.
    
2. Establishing groundcovers on tree farms is also an element of IPM. Groundcovers such as Dutch white clover, birdsfoot trefoil, chickweed, and wild mustard all provide excellent habitat for beneficial insects. The more beneficial insects in the field, the lower the population of pest insects. A diversity of groundcovers supports the diversity of insects, songbirds, and microorganisms in the soil that together create a unique ecological system. Since most tree farms are on steep mountainous land, groundcovers also play an important role in reducing soil loss and retaining fertilizers that are applied to tree root systems.
    
3. IPM decision-making involves choosing the most-appropriate pesticide product when insect pest levels are such that a chemical treatment is warranted. Choosing the best pesticide product with the least impact on non-target insect species is a large part of practicing IPM. Some pests, including the Balsam Woolly Adelgid, are fatal to Fraser Firs, and require the use of pesticides. However many growers also utilize products such as insecticidal soap and horticultural oils, both of which are considered nontoxic materials.

Additional Information on Integrated Pest Management can be found at http://ipm.ncsu.edu/index.cfm.

Additional Information on Christmas Trees and the Environment:

• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/xmas/environment/index.html
• http://www.christmastree.org/debate.cfm