On most Christmas tree farms, some subdivision of the major planting units into smaller blocks contained within the main road system is needed. These blocks are used to provide additional access and, in some cases, to further subdivide areas into sites having similar characteristics and/or management requirements.
In general, the length of planting blocks should be as long as possible (considering limitations mentioned previously) in order to minimize lost space and turnaround time needed at ends of rows.
The width of individual planting blocks, or the number of rows of trees within each, often depends on factors peculiar to the individual farm. The distance from the center of any block to the alley between blocks represents the maximum distance any tree should have to be moved by hand during harvesting. If only cut trees are to be sold, block width may be relatively large-15 to 20 rows or more (Fig. 27). However, if trees are to be balled-and-burlapped, it may be more efficient to reduce block width, and subsequently, the distance heavy balled trees must be moved (Fig. 28). Also, the number of rows included in each block should be based partly on necessary cultural treatments and methods of application. Thought should be given to width of coverage provided by spray equipment used in insect and disease control, chemical weed control application and fertilization so that materials can be applied evenly throughout the blocks.
| 
|
Fig. 27: Christmas tree farm subdivided into planting blocks containing 15 to 20 rows to accommodate the cultural operations and harvesting techniques, including cut- your-own, used by the grower. | Fig. 28: The system of four-row blocks on this Christmas tree farm has been developed to accommodate the cultural operations and harvesting techniques, including cut-your-owe, used by the grower. |