Egg powder, cayenne pepper and dried blood could help Christmas tree farmers

More

In 2004, the Christmas tree industry in Michigan was worth more than $40 million.

A few weeks ago, ScienceDaily reported how North Carolina State researchers are researching inventive repellents to help Christmas tree farmers keep deer away from their trees.

According to NC State, egg powder, hair clippings, dried blood and even cayenne pepper  protect the trees from deer.

The researchers say these natural products are 85 to 90 percent cheaper than commercially produced products. Commercial deer repellents can cost $18 per pound, while many of the scientist’s suggestions can be less than $2, said researcher Jeff Owens. Fencing is also extremely expensive.

The article reports that the items produce a bad taste for deer that attempt to nibble on the trees and their smells frighten them.

How does this research apply to the Great Lakes region?

In 2002, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New York were among the eight top producers of Christmas trees. Michigan ranks third,  producing 2.4 million trees in 2002. And the state grows 13 different varieties – the most in the country. In 2004, Christmas trees were a more than a $40 million industry in Michigan. The products created by the researchers could help protect a valuable regional crop.

There are approximately 30 to 35 million Christmas trees sold throughout the United States each year, and it’s certainly the peak selling time again this year.

And if you are placing your gifts under a well-kept, beautiful tree, you may have a few random things to be thankful for, including cayenne pepper and egg powder.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *