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An Introduction & Resource Guide
Christmas tree farms can range from 5 to 50 Acres or more.
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Land Needed
Kinds of Trees
Time Required
Profitability?
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Sellable Tree
Equipment
Capital Needed
Your TO DO List
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How much land do I need?
The amount of land you need is determined by the rows
and spacing of trees. With 8 foot centers between trees, 681 trees per acre can be planted.
Nine foot row spacing yields 538 trees per acre.
Your tree spacing is determined by the width of your mowing and spraying equipment.
Some growers with small lawn tractors may plant on seven foot
centers, but most growers plant their rows eight or nine feet wide.
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How long does it take to grow a sellable tree?
It can take four to five years for a tree to grow six to eight feet tall. Trees which are irrigated may grow faster.
Growers should plant a manageable number of trees with
respect to the time available for maintenance. Since trees
planted this year will be available for sale in four
to five years, new growers should lay out plots to be
planted over the next four to five years.
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Afghan Seedling
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Virginia Pine Seedling
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What kind of trees do I plant?
The type of trees you plant is determined by your soil composition. Research has determined
which trees work well with different soil types. The major
tree species in the acidic soil of East Texas is the Virginia Pine. The
best species for the alkaline soils of Central and
West Texas are the Eldarica or Afghan Pine. The Leyland
Cypress is showing success in both areas.
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Up to 1000 seedlings can be planted in a day by hand.
What equipment will I need to get started?
a mower, a backpack sprayer, hand pruners, a dibble bar,
a shearing knife, pine tip moth monitors, protective gear
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How much time will a tree farm require?
The major maintenance activities associated with a Christmas
tree farm are weed control, insect control, and tree shaping. The amount of maintenance a tree farm requires will
depend on the amount of trees you plant. Some growers may find that planting 500 to 2,000 trees per year provides the right amount of work for their free time. Full-time growers may
plant 5,000 to 10,000 trees per year.
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Shaping a two-year-old tree with a shearing knife
How much capital do I need?
If you have the land, the costs for establishing a Christmas tree farm are low. Smaller growers
usually provide their own labor, saving themselves that cost. As your business grows, you will find
that mechanical trimmers are worth the initial expense. Virginia Pine seedlings are
purchased through the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association.
Orders are placed before October and seedlings are picked up by the grower in January or February, or shipped in UPS.
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Drip irrigation systems are used by many growers and are a typical initial expense.
Can a farm be profitable after the holidays?
Absolutely! Many families are making it a tradition to visit a local choose-and-cut
Christmas tree farm every fall. Many of these farms offer a variety of activities, such as hayrides, picnic areas, hiking trails, crafts, and food, which the farms offer year-round.
Some farms are also available for special events, such as church group retreats and business meetings.
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Each year, families share the tradition of choosing and
cutting their Christmas trees throughout Texas.
"-- TO DO" LIST --
*Get your soil tested to determine what type of seedling species you can grow.
*Plan your field layout, providing for enough plots for future years.
*Consider your rainfall. Do you need irrigation? Do your research. Do an irrigation plan, if necessary.
*Order your seedlings by November 1.
*Join the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association to begin getting
the Yule Tidings Newsletter and the help of friendly TCTGA members.
*Attend field days and the annual TCTGA convention, where you
can meet other growers and visit other Christmas Tree farms in your area. Be sure to take a camera or video camera for the many ideas you will get.
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A twelve-foot-tall Leyland Cypress.
For futher information about the Texas Christmas Tree Growers
Association, contact us:
242 Monkey Rd
Elgin, TX 78621
phone (512) 281-4833
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This page has links to
TCTGA Calendar
Types of Trees
Seedling Order Form
Membership Application
Farm Locations
Yule Tidings
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