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Agricultural Careers
Christmas Tree Farmer
By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
Georgia Department of Education
June 2005
START
What does a Christmas Tree Farmer do?
•Cull and plant trees every March
•Mow between trees and spray for weed control
•Treat trees for insects, pests, and diseases
•Shape or trim trees during the summer
•Cut and tag trees prior to selling
•Provide shaking and baling services for the trees
•Manage or supervise employees
What kind of qualities and skills are needed?
One interested in beginning a career in Christmas tree farming must love the outdoors and enjoy growing things.
One must also be a self-motivated and hard working individual who is willing to perform extensive physical labor.
One also needs to be a people person with good communication skills to deal with the public unless, they have other employees whom they trust to be the face of their operation
What is my salary?
Profit for Christmas tree producers varies depending on location, acreage, and number of employees.
An average Christmas tree in the country typically sells for upwards of $30 and one in the city can sell for two to three times that much.
One acre of land can grow around 800 trees. A five-acre farm might sell 500 trees per season.
What are the conditions of the work environment?
•Most work is done outside among the trees during all seasons
•Work weeks vary depending on season of year, but it is a year round job
•The work environment can be hot, cold, wet, sticky or bug infested
How can I become a Christmas Tree Farmer?
•An individual who starts out working on a Christmas tree farm may eventually be able to establish his or her own farm.
•In high school, one should take courses in agriculture, such as forestry and horticulture.
•Work as a shearer on a Christmas tree farm during the summer months.
•Help harvest trees on a farm during the Christmas season.
•Spend time outdoors learning about the basic care for trees.
Professional Organizations
National Christmas Tree Association16020 Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 300Chesterfield, MO 63017Internet: http://www.christmastree.org
Christmas Trees The World’s Leading Christmas Tree MagazineP.O. Box 107Lecompton, Kansas 66050Internet: http://www.christmastreesmagazine.com/
Christmas Tree FarmsInternet: http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312380/xmas.htm?tqskip1=1
Risk Management Education for Christmas Tree Producers Internet: http://www.christmastreeriskmanagement.com
Master Tree FarmerInternet: http://mastertreefarmer.org
Christmas Tree Associations Internet: http://slis.cua.edu/ihy/SP/BJ2.htm