Drought conditions aggravate the effects of low fertility so thin topsoil underlain by course gravel should be avoided. One of the first major decisions a Christmas tree grower faces is what variety of tree to plant. A correct decision can only be made by having a thorough knowledge of species characteristics, potential problems and site requirements. The grower must also be planning ahead to determine what the consumer will be wanting in seven or eight years when the trees will be ready for market. Knowledge on other production practices should include, site preparation, shaping the trees, fertilizing, control of weeds, and protecting your plantation from fire, diseases, insects, and trespass.
Production is often the easy part, marketing the trees can be the difficult task.
Marketing alternatives would be either wholesale or retail on or off your growing locations. U-cut is a popular option in some locations. All rights reserved.