TROY — A retired forestry professor from the University of Idaho has put some free time, years of experience and a lot of loving care into his “lower-40 tree farm” near Troy and is growing fir trees at a phenomenal rate of up to four foot per year.

Dr. Merrll E. Deters said that under natural conditions grand fir normally grows about 18 inches per year in Idaho. Deters, a professor of forestry emeritus at the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, said that nature alone does not often provide an excellent forest. “The forester’s knowledge and skill is needed to make forest stands the most useful as well as productive and beautiful.”

Deters, who thins, prunes and otherwise nurtures his forest, said he wants to obtain seed from one particular grand fir tree on his land that may have unique genetic value for the production of Christmas trees as well as timber. He said his mixed-forest stand, located in the vicinity of Moscow Mountain, is evidence that Idaho can compete with other parts of the country in growing commercial timber.

When asked how he makes the trees grow so rapidly, Deters said. “One must love them, sing to them softly and sweetly and it helps to give each tree a pretty name and special attention.”

He added that if this sweet talk technique doesn’t work he warns the trees to “grow, grow or I’ll cut you down.” After that, said Deters, all one has to do is step back and watch them grow.

This story was published in the May 28, 1974, edition of the Lewiston Tribune.