Automated equipment designed for encasing cut Christmas trees in netting streamlines the post-harvest process. This involves a tree being placed on a platform and, via mechanical action, enveloped in a netting material, typically polyethylene. The netting secures the branches, compacts the tree for easier transport and handling, and minimizes needle loss during transit and display.
This mechanization offers several advantages. It significantly reduces labor costs and processing time compared to manual netting. The resulting compact form facilitates efficient storage and transportation, maximizing the number of trees per shipment. Furthermore, the protective netting preserves tree freshness and minimizes damage, resulting in a higher quality product for the consumer. The development of such machinery reflects the increasing demand for efficient and economical solutions in the Christmas tree industry.