Christmas Trees Atlantic Association started in 2018 with a fairly simple objective.  A small group of growers were going to combine resources to assist each other to improve their Christmas tree management.  Then came the infamous frost/freeze event of June 4, 2018 in eastern Canada.  (see the photo below).  Growers were asking questions.  Should we prune the damage?  How extreme should the pruning be?  Will the damage fall off?  Will removing the frost bitten tips divert resources to the remaining buds?  We collectively started some research trials – from pruning levels to fertilizer trials to seek answers and solutions.  (Association members can access reports of this work in our Newsletters archived on our “Members” page.)   Our work caught the attention of Ron Smith, a former tree physiologist and tree breeding researcher with the Canadian Forest Service and now consulting with the Wood Science Centre of the University of New Brunswick.  Projects were formally initiated, and the rest is history.    Christmas Trees Atlantic and representatives from across eastern Canada developed the Northeastern Christmas Tree Research Alliance and collectively we are all involved with projects as diverse as superior tree orchard development, root stock for grafting true fir species, carbon sequestration measurement for Christmas tree producers – quite a few projects – all covered in our Newsletters.

Today our “little”  association has grown to include members from across Canada and the United States.  We are pleased to be able to represent both the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick at the Canadian Christmas Trees Association.  We are pleased to work collaboratively with funding agencies like the Christmas Tree Promotion Board from the United States.  We are pleased to work with the Canadian Christmas Trees Association to achieve crop management solutions that are centered and focused on constructive, low risk pest management solutions that promote companion plants and beneficial organisms.  This further enhances the production of a crop that can already boast that it is one of the most sustainable production systems in the world.  Christmas Trees Atlantic involvement has become a joyous and constructive experience.

Below we list our Executive and Board members.  We also include basic contact info.    We can always be reached through email at:   growers4growersns@gmail.com

New Brunswick Management Committee 

New Brunswick growers can address provincial matters through their own Management Committee, that for the present time consists of our four constituted Directors from this Province.  This group has the power to add to this committee.  

Members are:         Arnold Perry (Chair)

                              Claude Duke

                              Laura Folkins

                              Jane Scott

President                 George Rhodenizer

George manages G.A.R. Tree Farms Limited and lives in Farmington, Lunenburg County,      Nova Scotia

Past President           Wayne Bolivar

Wayne manages Bolivar Farms.  He lives in Bakers Settlement, Lunenburg County,                           Nova Scotia.

Vice-President             David Pothier                                

Dave runs his own farm in Upper Wedgeport, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia.

Secretary                        Cindy Moore

Cindy lives with her partner, George.  She is also extremely active in G.A.R. Tree Farms Limited.

Treasurer                         Matt Wright

Matt manages M. Wright Farm and Forest Limited.  He resides in New Germany,            Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.