Bulletin #7011, Balsam Fir Tip Harvesting

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Originally developed by Mark Cercone, Special Project Assistant, and William D. Lilley, Forestry Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Reviewed and with new information by David Fuller, Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Photo by Dave Fuller

In Maine, millions of wreaths are made each year. These wreaths are usually made from balsam fir tips. Balsam fir is used because it is plentiful in Maine and also an easy material to make wreaths with. The demand for balsam fir wreaths has risen throughout the years, which has resulted in an increased demand for balsam fir tips. In fact, some wreath producers purchase tips from other locations, including Canada, because of a shortage of tip harvesters.

The end portion of a balsam fir branch is called a “tip.” Tip lengths range from 12 to 20 inches. This tip may be broken into two or three pieces. These pieces are placed together to form a tip bunch and wired onto a ring to make a wreath.

The Tip Harvesting Season

Tips can be harvested only during late fall, after needles are “set.” At this time, the balsam fir tree stops growing and stays dormant until spring. Balsam fir tips would lose their needles in a very short time if harvested before this stage. So, it’s very important for the tip harvester to know when this change has occurred. Some tip harvesters have ruined many stacks of tips because they unknowingly gathered tips before this change.

The exact time of “setting” varies, depending on the particular area’s climate and the growing year. Experienced tip pickers may know when tips can be harvested in your area. The approximate time to begin harvesting tips varies across the state. However, the Maine Christmas Tree Association’s standards indicate that balsam fir brush should be collected after November 1 and a minimum of three consecutive 20-degree-F (or colder) nights. The tipping season usually lasts until mid-December, but there must be enough time for making and shipping wreaths before the holiday season.

Tip Harvesting Information

Tips may be harvested from private or corporate-owned forests. Tip harvesters must receive permission to use private land. Many corporations issue permits for use of their land, and permit fees range from one to hundreds of dollars.

To avoid possible fines when transporting tips, make sure that you have written permission to harvest or a bill of sale from the landowner where you harvested.*

VIDEO: Maine Balsam Fir Tips: A Sustainable Harvest (YouTube)

Identifying Balsam Fir

Balsam fir has dark green, blunt-ended needles that are about one inch long. Spruce looks similar to balsam fir, but has shorter needles with pointed ends. This makes the needles “prickly” to the touch. Hemlock may also be mistaken for balsam fir, but it can be identified by its short, blunt needles and by two white stripes on the needle’s underside.

Spruce has sharp-pointed needles that are 1/3 to 2/3 inches long.
Figure 1: A fir tip is 12 to 20 inches long.
Spruce has sharp-pointed needles that are 1/3 to 2/3 inches long.
Figure 2: Spruce has sharp-pointed needles that are 1/3 to 2/3 inches long.
Balsam Fir has dark green, blunt-ended needles about one inch long.
Figure 3: Balsam Fir has dark green, blunt-ended needles that are about one inch long.
Eastern Hemlock has flat, blunt needles about 1/3 to 2/3 inches long.
Figure 4: Eastern Hemlock has flat, blunt needles that are about 1/3 to 2/3 inches long (two white stripes are on the underside).
High quality tips have needles on all sides of the stems.
Figure 5: A high quality tip has needles on all sides of the stems, no needles missing and a sufficient amount of stems.
A poor quality tip may have a scarce amount of stems and needles.
Figure 6: A poor quality tip may have a scarce amount of stems, needles on only one side of the stems, needles missing or long stems.

Tip Quality

Many wreath producers are very selective when buying tips, because tip quality largely determines the quality of the finished wreath. Tips should be “rounded” (needles on all sides of the tips’ stems). The needles should be a dark green color, not yellow or brown. The tips shouldn’t have any signs of disease or insect damage.

Harvesting Tips From a Tree

Tips are usually harvested from the mid section of the tree (which generally has the best quality tips) rather than from the top or the bottom. The top part of a fir tree often includes branches with long stems, while the bottom branches usually have needles on only one side. Both are unsuitable for top-quality wreaths.

To harvest tips from a tree, the tip gatherer grasps the branch firmly between thumb and forefinger and snaps it off with a quick downward motion. Generally, 12 to 20 inches of the branch is harvested. The last major set of stems of a fir branch should remain on the tree. This allows the lateral branches to grow back fully in about three years. Using a long-handled tool like loppers or pruners will enable harvesters to reach quality tips out of reach.

Grasp the branch firmly between the thumb and forefinger.
Figure 7: Step 1—Grasp the branch firmly between the thumb and forefinger.
Snap the branch with a quick downward motion.
Figure 8: Step 2—Snap the branch with a quick downward motion.

Stacking the Tips

Once the tips are removed from the tree, they are gathered together. One common tip gathering method is to stack the balsam fir tips into a “stick.” The tip harvester first cuts down a small conifer tree (four to six feet tall), then strips the tree of all branches except for the last set (located at the bottom end of the tree). These remaining branches are cut four to eight inches in length. The tip gathers use these sticks to transport their tips.

The tips are harvested and stacked onto a stick. The tip gatherer slides each tip down the stick until it rests on the stick’s bottom stems. The tips are stacked in alternate directions until the stick with tips weighs approximately 40 to 75 pounds. Twine may be attached to both ends of this stack to make it easier to carry.

Another tip stacking method is to collect the tips into a bundle. Stack tips onto two strings that lie perpendicular (cross-wise) to one another, then compress the tips by kneeling on them. The strings are brought up around the tips and tied together. Each bundle generally weighs 20 to 30 pounds. Some tip harvesters prefer this stacking method because the bundles are easier to handle.

A four- to six-foot long stick used for stacking tips.
Figure 9: A four- to six-foot long stick used for stacking tips.
Slide tips onto stick in alternating directions.
Figure 10: Slide tips onto stick in alternating directions.
A completed stack of tips weighs 40 to 75 pounds.
Figure 11: A completed stack of tips weighs 40 to 75 pounds.

Selling the Tips

Individuals can sell the tips to local buyers (usually a wreath wholesaler or retailer), who provide tip specifications (required tip length, quality and stacking method). These tips are sold according to their weight.

Be sure to locate a buyer before tipping season begins. Also, stay in communication with your buyer to avoid getting stuck with excess tips at the end of the season.

*See 12 MRSA §8841–§8847 (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, chapter 805, Subchapter 3, article 2: Transportation or Cutting of Christmas Trees)

Technical assistance provided by Walter Thompson and Dugald Kell

Illustrations by Mark A. McCollough

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

© 1991, 2008, 2017

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