Having your farm can be quite a rewarding business when it comes to festivities and Christmas trees. Well, how profitable it is we learn right now.

Christmas Tree Farm Profit Margin

Whenever you start a business, you want to find out if it will be any profitable? If the answer is what you like, then you can go ahead with it. For starting a profitable Christmas tree farm, you also need to understand the profit margins of the market.

  • In the US, most farmers plant around 1/8 of their total area, with around 200 trees per acre of coverage.
  • The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) lists that the average price at a U-cut lot was around $74 in 2017. This was a rise of $24 more than just two years earlier, in 2015.
  • So, if you have a 200 ready-to-harvest tree, you are making around $14,800 by that figure.
  • People often end up earning around $15 to $20k from their annual sales.
  • Often people start with sharing land when they don’t have their own, and then gradually spread.

Christmas Tree Farming Facts

Some of the facts and popular uses can help you decide on your figures. For example, how much land you should have in general and what do people do with that? How many trees do they usually plant?

  • It turns out that a typical Christmas tree needs 6 to 8 years to grow fully that is at a rate of 1 ft per year.
  • If you are trying to start your own farm business, then you must look at around 1000 trees per acre.
  • The cost of production can be minimized when you do tricks and tips to make things work cheaper. Also, you have to find out what kind of trees grow faster.
  • You can have a tiny backyard or a 100-acre farm, but there are lots of tips that can help the business make huge profits.
  • All the costs are mostly invested in labor, mowing for weed control, shearing the seeds, and so on. While if you start with a small farm, you can keep most of these profits.
  • About 78% of trees sold in the US are pre-cut trees and 22% cut their trees, so there is a huge business if you are really into it.

Christmas Tree Farming Equipment

What kind of equipment would you need to start your own Christmas tree farm? Different rate of trees, young and old need a different kind of maintenance too.

  • Some of the basic things you will need are the tools to help you do your basic stuff like mowing weed, taking care of pest control, diseases and so on.
  • You will need chain saw or handsaws to cut them, a tree digger, if you are planning to sell live trees.
  • A tree shaker is often needed to shed off excess needles, and a netter to wrap trees in twine for the sole purpose of package and delivery.
  • A truck trailer to haul your trees is a must because logistics is the key to the business here.

Start a Christmas Tree Farm Business

Now, that you know most of the necessities, you are ready to look into investments and other requirements to start your tree farm. To help you set and adjust some of these calculations, here are some tips.

  • Do you already have land? If yes, how do you buy the seed? And, from where and what kind of seeds you need?
  • You can look for sharing a business with a farmer, and try to learn the art on your own too and latest go to your land.
  • People will happily plant up to 1000 trees in an acre of land, so how much land you will be depend on how much supply you have.
  • People from North Carolina or Pennsylvania will tell you that they grow the best trees there, so it is also important to know where to buy your land.

Christmas Tree Farm for Sale

Now, let us imagine that you have taken care of everything we mentioned above and then you are ready with your first stock of trees that have harvested and you wish to sell them to make your money. How do you do this?

  • There comes the question of making another investment. How about the advertising plan? Didn’t think of that yet, then now you must.
  • How much can you and you wish to make from your Christmas trees realistically, and what will be your profit margins?
  • If you did all well, the rule of thumb says that you should be making easily $15 to $20,000 from this business.
  • Then, how do you list out the mistakes that often people make and suffer a loss in their business?

TIPS

  • It is important to figure out the do(s) and don’t(s) of the tree farming business and you must learn this from others than starting your own.

A little experience helps a long way, and then you can do the right thing and invest the right amount to start your farm.

How profitable is a Christmas tree farm?

With 200 trees per acre ready for harvesting each year, a u-cut tree farm could theoretically bring in $9,200 per acre annually. Most farms don’t generate this much revenue, though. Many max out their profits between $15,000 and $20,000 because there is a limited demand for Christmas trees in any one area.

How many acres do you need for a Christmas tree farm?

Christmas–tree farms can run anywhere from 5 acres to hundreds of acres, Ricky Dungey, NCTA’s public relations manager , told BusinessNewsDaily. (An acre is about the size of a football field). It takes the typical 6-to-7-foot tree five-to-eight years to mature.

How hard is it to start a Christmas tree farm?

“Many are horrified to learn that they’ll have to be out planting trees in the cold in April and shearing them in the heat of summer, and that they may have to spray for bugs and apply weed control.” Most prospective growers don’t realize that, even starting with a five-year-old seedling, it takes about 8 to 10 years

Is a Christmas tree farm a good investment?

Nilssen said Christmas tree farms are often great investment opportunities because of the low overhead costs. But there are several risks — namely pests, fires and the state of the economy.

Who has the cheapest Christmas trees?

Costco. You can get a great deal on a Christmas tree if you have a membership to your local Costco. Many of these wholesale stores sell Douglas Firs and other popular Christmas tree varieties during the holiday season, and people rave about the affordable prices for a quality tree.

What is the lifespan of a Christmas tree?

How long do Christmas trees last? With proper care, most real Christmas trees should last at least five weeks or more. That means, if you decorate for Christmas in late November, your tree should survive beyond the holiday festivities. Follow these tips to keep your Christmas tree looking fresh long after it’s cut.

How do you keep a potted Christmas tree alive all year?

The key to caring for a container-grown Christmas tree in your garden is to place it in the right spot. Most fir trees prefer cool, moist conditions so place the tree in a sheltered spot but, particularly during hot summers, not in direct sunlight – and keep it watered during dry spells.

How do u make a Christmas tree last longer?

How to make a Christmas tree last longer
  1. Start with a healthy, vibrant tree.
  2. Give the tree a clean, straight cut across the bottom.
  3. Get the tree in water as soon as you come home.
  4. Keep it cool.
  5. Opt for LED lights.
  6. Check the water level every day.
  7. Recycle your Christmas tree in the garden.

Can you revive a deceased Christmas tree?

Reviving a Christmas tree is as simple as giving it more water. The more water you give to the tree, the longer it will last, just like cut flowers. It is important to ensure that the tree has enough water and is protected from extreme heat to prevent the needles from drying out.

Can I spray my Christmas tree with water?

In addition to keeping water available for the tree to absorb, many people fill spray bottles with water to keep the tree from drying out. You should spray your tree with room temperature water at least once a day but only when the Christmas lights are off and unplugged.

Can I replant my Christmas tree?

You may wonder, “Can you plant your Christmas tree after Christmas?” and the answer is yes, you can. Replanting a Christmas tree requires some planning, but if you are willing to plan ahead, you can enjoy your lovely Christmas tree for years to come.

How long will a potted Christmas tree last?

Do Christmas trees regrow needles?

You should bring your potted tree indoors as late as possible, advises the RHS. The weekend before Christmas is ideal, and it’s advised not to keep living trees in the house any longer than 12 days.

How do I stop my Christmas tree from dropping needles?

The vast majority of conifers do not regenerate on deceased parts, they simply continue to grow at the tips and top of the plant. Your tree has bare branches at the base and it will remain that way – planted outside in a garden, the bare parts wouldn’t be noticeable as the tree got larger, but they’d still be there.

How do you keep a Christmas tree alive indoors?

Before you position and decorate your tree, take it out of its net wrapping and place it in a bucket of water in a cool, shady spot outdoors. This allows the branches to settle and rehydrates the tree. Give your tree a vigorous shake before taking it inside, to dislodge any loose needles.

When should I repot my Christmas tree?

Learn How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh for the Entire Month of December
  1. Put the tree in water as soon as possible. Remember: You’re bringing home a live plant.
  2. Trim the trunk.
  3. Water, water, water (and maybe try additives).
  4. Be cautious of heat sources including lights.