Popularity and Costs of Christmas Trees
Fir, spruce, and pine are the most popular tree types for Christmas trees. The cost of a real Christmas tree, such as a 5-6 foot Fraser Fir, can vary between $65 and $95, depending on quality. Flocked trees cost $90-$325 depending on the size.
Establishing Your Farm
Starting a Christmas tree farm has great potential. With proper planning, hard work, and execution you can enjoy success. A key step is completing your business plan. Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here.
- Choose the name for your farm.
- Develop your business plan.
- Grow 1000 trees per acre to minimize production cost.
- Find faster growing trees to save time.
Growth and Profit Potential
Christmas tree startups range from $4,000 to $85,000. Sharecropping lets you be a tenant and split income. You will need a tractor, or pay a farmer, to prep your land.
It takes 6 to 8 years for a Christmas tree to fully grow at 1 ft per year. Pay attention to soil and pH levels. Weed and water regularly. Carefully choose tree species. Check planting stock quality. Grow complementary products.
Marketing and Planning
Making money is a top reason to start a Christmas tree farm. Efficient models bring considerable profits per sale. Strategically place loading areas and access points every 12-15 rows for easy access when trees are grown.
How Much Can You Earn?
Christmas tree farming can bring considerable profits. Profit margins per tree are high, around 95%. With 10 acres over 8-10 years, you could produce 1,000 trees and earn $80,000 yearly. Revenue of $120,000 is possible, with $114,000 profit.
Is Farming Difficult?
Is it hard to run a Christmas tree farm? With 200 trees per acre ready for harvest each year, a farm could bring in $9,200 per acre yearly. Most farms don’t generate this much. Many max out profits between $15,000 and $20,000.
Necessary Equipment and Location
What equipment do you need? You need a mower, a tractor with an auger to plant saplings, pruning shears and knives.
The first step is finding the right location with enough space for trees to grow. It should have access to water and well-drained soil. Consider sites away from major roads and highways. Take into account sunlight and climate to determine which species can grow well.
Prepare the farm starting in January before the season ends in December. Focus on selling high-quality and popular tree species. Invest in marketing to reach potential customers.
Geographic region and climate determine Christmas tree species selection. In the U.S., most farmers plant 1/8 of land with 200 trees per acre. A detailed business plan is required for a profitable Christmas tree farm.