Skip to main content

NC State Extension

Growing Christmas Trees in North Carolina

en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲
Fraser Fir cone

Fraser Fir cone

This publication provides basic information to assist individuals in growing Christmas trees. It attempts to address the wide range of production, marketing, and business issues that may be encountered in such a venture. Please consult other references to obtain more information concerning a specific topic.

Commercial Christmas tree production requires a sufficient amount of suitable land. It also requires sizable amounts of labor and capital. Labor will be needed periodically, and special materials are almost certain to be needed seasonally for several years. Therefore, a potential grower should start with sufficient capital reserves to cover costs until income is realized from the sale of trees.

Virginia Pine cone

Virginia Pine cone

Much of the normal cultural work, such as mowing, shearing, and pest control, must be done within the growing season, and frequently when the weather is hot or disagreeable. In contrast, harvesting is in late autumn or early winter, sometimes in bitter cold weather. In brief, the profitable production of Christmas trees requires intensive care with precise timing from planting to harvest. It is not an easy get-rich-quick scheme, but rather a long-term (5-10 years) business venture requiring a multitude of skills.

Unless professional advice is secured at the start, newcomers are advised to “grow into” rather than “buy into” the Christmas tree business. Efficient production of a few quality trees is more likely to prove successful than large-scale production of poor quality trees. At present there are no obvious limits on the number of quality trees North Carolina growers may sell. North Carolina growers are within 500 miles of approximately half the nation’s population, so fresh trees can usually be delivered overnight to compete in a significant regional market.

Contents

Eastern White Pine cone

Eastern White Pine cone

  • Part 1: Characteristics of Some Evergreen Trees
    Fraser Fir, Eastern White Pine, Virginia Pine, Redcedar, Leyland Cypress, Other Species
  • Part 2: Establishing a Christmas Tree Plantation
    Species Selection, Site Selection, Plantation Layout, Site Preparation, Selecting the Planting Stock, Growing Your Own Planting Stock, Outplanting the Trees
  • Part 3: Pest Management in Christmas Trees
    Integrated Pest Management, Treatment of Common Christmas Tree Pests in North Carolina, Insects, Diseases, Protection From Animals
  • Part 4 contains information about
    • Christmas Tree Fertility
    • Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality and the Environment
      Farm Road Construction, Field Borders and Stream Buffers, Low-Impact Site Preparation, Pest Scouting, Pesticide Alternatives, Groundcover Management, Nutrient Management, Pesticide Handling, Storage, and Disposal, Wellhead Protection, Summary
    • Shaping of Christmas Trees
      Firs and Spruces, White Pine, Virginia Pine, Redcedar, and Leyland Cypress
    • Groundcover Management
      Mechanical Mowing, Chemical Application
  • Part 5 contains information about
    • Harvesting
    • Marketing
    • Record Keeping
    • Investment Planning
    • Taxes
    • Assistance Available
    • Summary
    • Christmas Tree Terms
    • Appendix

Page Last Updated: 10 years ago
Was the information on this page helpful? Yes check No close