How to start a christmas tree farm for profit hobby farms. A small tree growing from another stump at pieropan christmas tree farm. I went into christmas tree farming with my eyes wide open, having grown up the son of a vermont county forester who also grew christmas. South china christmas tree farm gets ready for second year. If youd like to know how to start a christmas tree farm, youll need to understand the importance of this type of business. Figure out which plants inspire you the most and start there. School library journal when wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixtytwo dozen balsam seedlings, and parke. How to start a christmas tree farm starting your own llc. If you dont have the land to work with, you can still help families get their own christmas trees by offering a delivery service. Remember, although christmas tree farming does not require the amount of constant care some operations do, there is still a lot of. People around the country buy christmas trees as part of their celebration for the holidays. Seriously though, christmas trees are considered to be one of the most labor intensive of all farm crops.
We love working on our christmas tree farm because we know. Moores tree farm, like so many others, offers wreaths, greenery, and a gift shop with ornaments for customers. Geoff mckonly as the industrial revolution took off, large logs became of greater value, and the horsepower to move. Favorite books about christmas trees mamas learning corner. Natalie sare, the owner of santas tree farm in half moon bay, california, however, is a proponent of supporting your local christmas tree farms each season.
Obviously, you cannot start a christmas tree farm if you do not have acre of land. Money does grow on trees, and christmas trees by lewis hill is the essential equipment for anyone who wishes to gain the pleasure and profit of growing and selling trees, wreaths, and greens hill, an experienced and skilled tree grower himself, begins with the very basics, providing valuable insights on how to choose the best land and the best species of trees to grow on that. Its important to claim as many tax writeoffs as you are entitled to claim, though, since this reduces your tax bill each year. How to start a farm, your complete guide to success. Robert wray has updated this fourth edition to include the latest techniques and tools for harvesting trees, new methods of transport, the most recent data on herbicides, and advice on how to run a christmastree business today. This aspect of tree farming is most important in that if you grow a ton of trees and. This lovely tale celebrates intergenerational friendship and determination, growth and nature, and the joy of the holiday season. We hope this month by month look at the operational aspects of tree farming will give you a better feel for what we do all year long and year after year to create that best ever christmas tree for your familys holiday experience. Keep in mind it is a longterm commitment because the trees take up to six years to reach full maturity. This handbook contains tips, tricks, lists, and other important information for the beginner just starting or a resource for those who have been doing this for years. Christmas tree farm kids books read out loud youtube. Im trying to picture how the trees would be harvested and transported. While largescale christmas tree farms satisfy some of this demand, perhaps your farm has the potential to fill a local demand. Starting a christmas tree farm business a complete guide.
O christmas tree, however, fits the bill perfectly. I am trying to research the best i can as quickly as i can for fall is. Christmas trees were added to the federal agriculture census in 1997, when the responsibility for census shifted from the u. Learn about the daytoday activities of a mushroom farm owner, the typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and more. Our guide on starting a christmas tree farm covers all the essential information to help you decide if this business is a good match for you. Starting a christmas tree farm is generally a husband and wife adventure. If you own a few acre, consider becoming a tree farmer. Helped give us lots to think about to start a family run christmas tree farm. Starting a christmas tree business modern homesteading. From the towering loft overlooking the main floor, to the massive stone fireplace, our space is natural, warm and ready to host you and your guests in rustic luxury. Starting and running a christmas tree farm has always intrigued me. Lets say that you have a few acreseven slightly rocky and uneven ones that arent ideal for keeping livestock or growing crops, such as corn or potatoes. Yet, in under 10 years, those same trees will be the perfect size for christmas trees. The magic of christmas tree farm is my first christmas book this year and wow what a book.
A sample christmas tree farming business plan template. In the south, most tree farmers grow loblolly pines, in the northwest, douglas. In addition to choosing agricultural lenders for an ag farm loan, youll also need to know these following tips for starting a christmas tree farm, courtesy of cornell universitys cooperative. Coming back each year for our christmas tree and reliving our wedding day is the best part. Starting a christmas tree farm is good parttime, seasonal work. Tree farm owners do work that can benefit the environment. I m always on the lookout for interesting ways to make extra money with my spare time and resources. Are the trees cut down in the field, loaded onto a smaller trailer, then brought to a central location to be netted and loaded on a larger tractor trailer. Having a growth plan and sectioning your property for a tree farm will ensure you get paid in various stages of a hardwoods growing cycle. Read all about the history of christmas trees, starting with the ancient egyptians. How to start a christmas tree farm on your land the farm. The spirit of the season can start right on your christmas tree farm. Spring brook farm christmas trees, carrollton, georgia.
Christmas tree farm kids books read out loud the power of reading. Texas christmas tree growers association grower handbook. First loves, school bullying, dealing with grief, reconnecting, starting over, new beginnings, christmas, relationships, divorce, dating, love, heartbreak, humour and some. Learn how to start a tree farm and the ins and outs of tree farming from the christmas tree man. Before you plant even one tree, you have some serious decisions to make about time, labor and marketing. About 95 percent of production is on chooseandcut christmas tree farms. Our guide on starting a mushroom farm covers all the essential information to help you decide if this business is a good match for you. Stumpgrown christmas trees are the gift that keeps on. At many tree farms, especially if you celebrate christmas, not only will you find the trees, you may have to cut them down, too. Some trees take 50 years to reach a size that makes them good for their lumber for example, douglas firs.
Agricultural jobs are among the most dangerous in the world, so its no surprise that gregory makes such a strong recommendation to learn from people who can teach you what you need to know, and share stories from their past, to bring the sometimes surprising dangers of working on a farm to life gregory says, farm work can be extremely dangerous, so it would. Christmastree farming is more complicated than just planting a seedling in the ground and circling back when its the right size to cut down and turn into a christmas tree. Growing christmas trees and millions of other books are available for amazon. Learn about the daytoday activities of a christmas tree farm owner, the typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and. The last wagon will go out to the christmas tree field at 5.
Palmer iii, coowner of ben and mollys christmas tree farm. Starting a nursery is one of the only businesses where you really can start with zero capital investment. Its earthfriendly and more profitable than you might imagine when you grow highvalue trees. An important reference and guide book for all christmas tree growers. Artificial trees are popular, but they cant compare with a real tree in terms of ambience, unique appearance, and fresh scent. A christmas tree farmer offers his advice on joining the business, including tips on species selection, buying and planting seedlings, selling your trees. If you own acreage, you should consider starting a tree farm. Just about every state grows christmas trees, with oregon, north carolina, michigan and pennsylvania harvesting 1 million trees per year or more. Department of commerce, bureau of the census, to the united states department of agriculture usda, national agricultural statistics service. To learn more about growing highvalue trees, read growing trees for profit, available here. While addedvalue products like jams or baked goods are an important source of income for small farmers, on a cutandcarry christmas tree farm, its more like marketing.
That includes researching and sourcing the best books and products to help. Starting a christmas tree farm in cny every good farm starts with planning. A christmas tree farmer offers his advice on joining the business, including tips on. Blake farms apple orchard blakes family christmas at. Startup costs are low, and demand is growing every year.
Starting a christmas tree farm business profitableventure. I own 50 acres in fallston, md, of which about 20 acres are wooded, and i am considering starting a tree farm. Starting a christmas tree farm library farm answers. If youre looking for a profitable cash crop for your small acreage, consider growing christmas trees. Yes, i am a newbie, and you are thinking, oh no, not another one. Looking for a christmas tree farm for sale is one option. As you can see, growing christmas trees on a tree farm can bring much higher profits to growers. This is a great book that lets those who want to start a christmas tree farm know the basic information they need in order to start their own farm. During july we prune the christmas trees to give them the shape and density people desire.
How to start a christmas tree farm profitable plants digest. Christmas trees for pleasure and profit is for anyone who enjoys being and working outdoors and is seeking a profitable hobby or small business venture. This business requires planning before planting, and the need to offer additional services beyond selling christmas trees. Christmas trees mississippi state university extension. Seeds, cuttings, root divisions can all be found free in great abundance and planted in dirt. When gregory bartels, aka the christmas tree man, reached out to me and i saw his passion for the business, i knew i had to feature his tips here on the blog.
From route 6 in chaplin, ct, go north on route 198 phoenixville road. Growing christmas trees is a great way to generate offseason farm income and make better use of your land. This is a fascinating book, and a nonfiction book that. With the festive season well underway, lets talk fir trees could a christmas tree farm be the best way to diversify your land.
In fact, i used it to write quite a bit of my christmas worksheet packet for 2nd4th graders. A day at the christmas tree farm life in a day version. Amazon to start delivering fresh, fullsized christmas. Heres what you need to know about starting and maintaining the business. Or, if you are a conservationist, you may bring it home, roots and all. Purchasing land is not just the significant cost but along with other related cost such as land appraisal, legal fees, cost of brokers as well as preparing the land. At other times of year, perhaps youll visit a tree farm and size one up. In this sense, you will invest big amount of money in purchasing a land in case you do not have yet. For those with a lot of land, you could plant a variety of evergreen trees and invite families to visit and cut down their own christmas trees. Traditional tree farms are much like a plantation with one primary crop, saw and pulp logs. These include dealing with seasonal employees, harsh weather conditions, access to quality christmas lights and decorations, timely product delivery, and the difficulties of managing a very seasonal business. The book is set in montana and some scenes involve a christmas tree farm. Starting a christmas tree farm cornell cooperative extension.
While starting a christmas light installation business has tremendous advantages, theres also a number of pitfalls that must be addressed. Starting a christmas tree farm is generally a husband and wife adventure and every year every tree farm in texas comes to our annual tctga convention to meet vendors, renew friendships and compare crop and our high season sales stories like one big family. How to start a mushroom farm starting your own llc is easy. How will this farming enterprise effect your time and budget. It is hard to find a nonfiction book about christmas trees. Carving out a living on the land chelsea green publishing. Harmony farm christmas trees choose and cut trees and.
1083 1075 254 552 989 986 493 389 819 605 47 914 1233 185 651 959 1026 880 695 591 1194 552 67 1007 212 1184 997 1280 135 1416 99 1317 111 849 945 817 1245 1065 574 558 677