The first step in creating a Christmas tree farm is to select a site with soil that drains properly and receives enough sunlight. Loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is the ideal type. It is best to have a flat or slightly sloping piece of land because steep slopes can lead to drainage issues and soil erosion. Access to the land is also necessary for consumers and equipment.
Choosing the Christmas trees’ spacing is the next stage. Depending on the type and the size of the tree at maturity, the distance between each tree will vary. For instance, a Blue spruce may require a spacing of 10 to 12 feet between each tree, whereas a Fraser fir tree may need 6 to 8 feet. It’s critical to account for potential expansion and leave enough room between rows for equipment movement.
Christmas tree farming can be a profitable investment in terms of returns. The average retail cost of a Christmas tree in 2019 was $81, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Up to 2,000 trees can be produced per acre by a well-run farm, which might bring in over $160,000 per acre in revenue. However, because it may take the trees up to 7 years to mature, the initial investment could be considerable.
Depending on the size of the business, there are several employment opportunities for a Christmas tree farm. A larger farm may need year-round personnel for planting, pruning, harvesting, and sales, but a small farm may just need a few part-time workers during the peak season. Agritourism activities on a Christmas tree farm may also include hayrides, wreath-making classes, and other festivities with a seasonal theme.
Finally, it should be noted that the design of a Christmas tree farm necessitates careful planning and consideration of a variety of elements, such as soil type, sunlight, spacing, and equipment accessibility. Christmas tree farming may be a lucrative industry with potential earnings of over $160,000 per acre, despite the large initial investment. Depending on the scale of the business, there may be potential for agritourism and seasonal work, which can further affect job prospects.