An acre of land can accommodate up to 1,500 Christmas trees. The trees grow 5-7 feet tall in 8 years. You’ll need loading space and access roads every 12-15 rows. It’s advisable to plant 1,000 trees per acre.
Fir trees take 10-12 years to grow 6 feet tall. The best type of Christmas tree for longevity is a live tree you can plant in your yard after the holidays.
Most pines, firs and spruces can be grown easily if the planting site gets full sun and has well-drained soil. Marketing trees is easier nowadays with the internet.
A Christmas tree farm can range from 5 acres to hundreds of acres. A typical 6-7 foot tree takes 5-8 years to mature. If you’re new to farming, a tree farm likely isn’t the best starting point. The ideal Christmas tree farmer has agricultural experience and land.
When planted, Christmas trees grow 1-2 feet per year. They grow 2-3 feet per year on average. Christmas trees do not grow year-round.
Tree Selection and Care
You should plant a variety of trees, with Douglas Fir being most common. They take 7-9 years to be ready. Choose trees suited to your climate and soil. Do not over-fertilize young trees, as it can kill them. Trim off other competing leaders so your tree grows properly. Care for your trees as they mature for the best results.
Space and Growth
Spacing and depth are important when planting seedlings. Trees should be planted in rows 8 feet apart. Leyland cypress grows quickly, often 3-4 feet yearly. The Fraser fir is considered the perfect holiday tree.
Expect slow growth the first year as the tree establishes roots. Christmas trees need a single leader to place a topper. If more leaders develop, trim off all but one.
Replanting and Decoration
For those wondering if you can replant a Christmas tree, it is only possible if uprooted with the root ball intact. The tree cannot grow from the cut stem, but the roots can absorb water after replanting.
You need 100-200 lights per foot or foot and a half for brightness. Trees can only be indoors a few days. Store outdoors and water the root ball to keep moist.
Nordman Fir has become popular but can be wide at the base. Pine Tree comes from Scotland, is wide but with space between branches for decorations. Blue Spruce seems to take to growing in pots rather well.