Plan a Christmas Tree Farm

Deer impact influences the Christmas tree species you should grow and what tools you’ll need to keep deer from eating your trees. This MyWoodlot slideshow uses a visual assessment to help you figure out if you have low, medium, or heavy deer browse.

Once you know what you want to plant and where, this factsheet from the University of Kentucky will help you design your plantation so it gets enough light and allows access for maintenance and harvesting.

MyWoodlot member and Christmas tree farmer Karl VonBerg put together this example map of a Christmas tree planting plan. It highlights some important landscape traits to look for when locating a Christmas tree farm.

Not just any spot on your land will grow good Christmas trees. This lengthy article from PennState Extension is a good general overview of Christmas tree farming, but it’s especially useful for its advice on siting your plantation.

What are you getting into by starting a Christmas tree farm? Find out firsthand from Vermont-based Christmas tree farmer Patrick White in this article from Northern Woodlands magazine.

What species should you grow? This website from the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York reviews the common types. Consider Canaan or balsam fir if you have low deer pressure, and blue or white spruce if deer are more of a concern.