Christmas trees require fewer chemicals than other agricultural crops and do more to produce greenhouse gases by reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Christmas trees are a viable agricultural crop as 25 million to 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. The NCTA also notes: Farmers grow trees for Christmas in all 50 states; more than 350 million trees are actively growing on American farms at any given time; and Balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and White pine are the most common evergreens grown for Christmas. Running a Christmas tree farm is a year-round job that requires continual, physical inspection of each tree to monitor risk for disease and pests as well as annual pruning.
Instructions
1. Focus on planting trees that grow well in your climate region. Plant new conifers on a rotating basis to ensure an annual harvest of trees. Firs, spruces and pines require eight to 0 years to grow to a harvestable size. Create a map of your farm. Demarcate which acres will be planted in which years and which will be harvested. Designate different acreage areas for choose-and-cut sales, retail lots sales and wholesale. Locate the area closest to the farm's main center of activity for choose-and-cut acres so that guests to the farm can also have the opportunity to interact with animals, see the farm workings and have the opportunity to buy trinkets and novelties. Mix the types of trees grown on the acreage designated for choose-and-cut sales.
2. Monitor trees continually for insect infestations and disease. Pay special attention to baby trees in their first two years of life as they are the most vulnerable. Prune away infected branches to control disease spread. Remove diseased trees if necessary. Apply herbicides, insecticides and rodent poison as a last resort. Watch for mice and meadow voles that will chew the bark from the bottoms and center of trees in winter. Mow the grass regularly to expose varmints to natural predators, such as hawks and owls.
3. Spread mulch around the trees to reduce competition for water. Remove weeds and keep the grass mowed low. Fertilize firs and spruces in winter and spring as they require significant nutrients from the soil. Pine trees do not require fertilization, but fertilizer may be given to pines that appear to be struggling in their growth.
4. Prune and shear trees annually after their third year to encourage growth in the classic Christmas tree shape and denser appearance.
5. Keep up with regular association meetings and take up any educational opportunities to learn the latest techniques and new solutions to tree problems. Develop a network of fellow Christmas tree farmers to share ideas and discuss common problems.
6. Offer train rides, pictures with Santa and a farm animal petting area for guests visiting the farm. Charge a nominal fee for the kid-related activities. Many farms sell a local food specialty, such as barbecue, for lunch. Some Christmas tree farms also grow pumpkins and invite guests to choose pumpkins in October and November. Running a tree farm costs around $12,000 an acre annually. Farmers can diversify their sources of income in the harvest season between Thanksgiving and Christmas to increase sales.
