Production and Harvesting

Establishing a Christmas tree production enterprise begins with the selection of species, site preparation, and planting. In this section, you’ll find information on the production and harvesting of Christmas trees, including selection and care of fresh-cut Christmas trees, tree production, and salt spray damage. Find tips on evergreen shrubs and trees for Pennsylvania.

Christmas Tree Types

There are many Christmas tree species to choose from, but your choice will be mainly governed by geographical region and climate. Canaan fir, also called West Virginia balsam fir, is a newcomer to the Christmas tree market, but it is native to remote spots in the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia.

Your choice of Christmas tree species is also influenced to some extent by market forces. What are your customers looking for? The customer choice of Christmas tree depends on personal taste and buyer habits.

Christmas tree types aren’t just for Christmas, either. Needled evergreens have long been described as the “backbones of the landscape.” They are an unchanging canvas that you can use to complement flowering trees and shrubs, turfgrass areas, and herbaceous ornamentals.

How to Plant Christmas Trees

You should plant your trees as soon as possible in the spring, allowing them to develop new root growth before top growth begins. Intensive planning is required if you want to produce high-quality Christmas trees. You must ensure the location and soil conditions are right for the trees you’re planting.

Growing Christmas Trees

A wealth of information is available for anyone who wants to grow Christmas trees. Knowing as much as you can about the rate at which they grow, what equipment you need, and how to care for your Christmas tree crop is crucial if you want your enterprise to be successful.

Pests have the potential to ruin Christmas tree production, which means you have to learn how best to manage them. Pest management has a key role to play. You must be able to identify, monitor, and control disease and insect pests that might affect your Christmas tree farm.

As well as disease and pests, your Christmas trees are also at risk of mechanical damage from the improper use of tools and equipment. Salt damage is another risk you have to be aware of, especially if you plan to plant your Christmas trees next to roadways.

Harvesting Christmas Trees

The busiest time of the year for Christmas tree growers is the short period when trees must be harvested and sold. If your farm is near a town or city, you could invite families to come and select their own Christmas tree. Another option for your Christmas tree operation is to market your trees wholesale.