Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. Christmas trees were fertilized for 5 years wit
h four levels of N (0, 56, 113, or 170 kg.ha(-1) per gear) in spring, fall,
or equally split between spring and fall, Nitrogen did not affect leader l
ength, number of leaders, or bud frequency on the upper (distal) portion of
the leader. Nitrogen increased bud frequency on the lower (proximal) 20 cm
of the leader in only 1 of 3 gears of measurement. All application schedul
es increased the number of apical buds on branches, whereas the number of l
ateral buds was increased only by spring applications. Nitrogen increased t
ree fresh weight and retail value as well as weight, length, and surface ar
ea of needles. Foliar N concentrations in the fall varied with fertilizatio
n schedule, and were higher in November than in October.