Patience is essential when developing trees for lumber. It might take a tree anywhere between 20 and 80 years to reach harvestable maturity, depending on the species. This means that it can take a while for a tree you plant today to be ready to be used for lumber.
Climate, soil quality, and the quantity and quality of water and sunlight a tree receives can all affect how quickly it grows. In general, trees grow more quickly in warmer climes than they do in colder ones. Trees will develop more quickly than those that are not if they are planted in nutrient-rich soil and receive enough sunlight and water.
The procedure is a little different when it comes to Christmas tree farming. Depending on the type of tree, Christmas tree growers often plant seedlings when they are between 1 and 3 years old. These seedlings are then raised for a number of years until they are big enough to be sold as Christmas trees.
How about the rest of the year, though, for Christmas tree farmers? While late November to mid-December is traditionally when Christmas trees are harvested, there is work to be done all year long. Farmers often start planting new seedlings and trimming and pruning the existing trees in the spring. They will continue to keep an eye on the trees’ development throughout the summer and make any required tweaks to make sure they are robust and healthy. They will start shearing the trees and getting them ready for sale in the fall to be ready for the forthcoming harvest season.
Some states are more productive than others when it comes to growing Christmas trees. By 2021, Oregon will overtake North Carolina and Michigan as the nation’s top producer of Christmas trees. These states are excellent settings for Christmas tree farms because they have the right soil and climate for growing Christmas trees.
So how labor-intensive are Christmas tree farms? Regardless matter how much work is involved, which might vary depending on the size of the farm, it is typically seen as a full-time job. Year-round dedication to tree care and upkeep is required of farmers, and the harvest season can be especially hectic and difficult. Christmas tree farming, however, may be a satisfying and enjoyable career for people who are passionate about farming and prefer working outside.
President Teddy Roosevelt of the United States was the one who forbade Christmas trees from the White House. He took this action in 1901 out of concern for the preservation of natural resources.