The Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) in conjunction with MDAR suggests planting, growing, and harvesting Christmas trees as a viable marketing option Massachusetts farms can choose to supplement farm income and utilize inactive acreage. Massachusetts growers can not supply all the Christmas trees sold here. According to the 2002 AG Census, Christmas tree production in Massachusetts has dropped from 5,000 acres in the late 90’s to its current 2,900 acres. Because of this loss of acreage devoted to growing trees, the opportunity presents itself to prospective new growers.

A new grower would benefit by belonging to MCTA which provides the knowledge and resources necessary for growing a quality, saleable Christmas tree. As with any farm crop, there is the annual cost of land preparation, the plants, fertilizer, pest management, equipment, labor, and marketing. To understand the potential annual cost of growing Christmas trees, refer to www.ChristmasTreeRiskManagement.com. Here you will find electronic spread sheets designed to help you project the cost of production on a per- acre total dollar basis, as well as projected gross and net revenue. Another source for cost and investment planning comes from the North Carolina site at www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/forest/xmas/growing/ag95-V.htm.

The “Southern New England Christmas Tree Growers’ Manual”, which MCTA gives to new members, is a comprehensive general Christmas tree growing guide. Top Christmas tree producing states such as North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Oregon have extensive information on species, insect management programs, advances in hybrids, and ways to reduce needle loss. In New England, growers can tap the resources from the CT Agric. Experiment Station, and the NH, VT, and MA Forest and Extension services at the respective land grant universities.

In the early 90’s, there was a Christmas tree glut both in the US and Canada which dramatically reduced the retail price. Many growers folded during this period. Since 2001, Christmas trees have been in tight supply with this year’s MA retail price averaging $35-$50 for a 6.5 to 8 ft. tree. Keep in mind that it takes an average of 7 to 8 years in the field before a tree is harvested. Therefore, one must also keep in mind that there is no revenue until that time.

In recent years, the artificial tree has eroded the “real” tree market. To counter the erosion, growers in all states contributed $850,000 to the National Christmas Association’s Tree Market Expansion Task Force 2004 Campaign to win back customers. The results are in. Consumers purchased 27.1 million real trees…up 15.8% from 2003. On a local level, MCTA offers its members a free marketing program on its website www.christmas-trees.org. as well as a paid marketing program with a retail and wholesale directory guide.

MCTA members are proud growers of environmentally friendly, biodegradable, reusable, and recyclable REAL Christmas trees. Why not join us in growing conifers. Contact MCTA president Cynthia Cranston (413-6283911) or ccranston@verizon.net or Rick LeBlanc at MDAR for further information.

A list of marketing and technical publications for Christmas Tree growers follows. To receive a listed publication, contact the group or organization listed.

RESOURCES

Connecticut Agricultural Publications, U-35
1376 Storrs Rd.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Ct 06268
Connecticut-RhodeIsland Christmas Tree Growers Manual 85-5. Cost $4.50 plus $1.00 postage and handling. Make checks payable to: University of Connecticut.

Massachusetts: The Bulletin Distribution Center
College A
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Christmas Trees, A Massachusetts Crop - pub. 392
Massachusetts Christmas Tree Growerþs Handbook -c-156. Cost $2.00, make checks payable to Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service.

New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service
110 Pettee Hall
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824
Christmas Tree Culture - Establishing The Christmas Tree Plantation - Forest Fact Sheet 1.
The Culture of Christmas Trees - Control of Grass, Weeds, and Brush - Forest Fact Sheet 2.
Christmas Tree Culture - Pruning and Shearing - Forest Fact Sht 3.
The Culture of Christmas Trees - Fertilizing Forest Fact Sheet 4.
The Culture of Christmas Trees Harvesting and Marketing, Forest Fact Sheet 5.
1985 New England Guide to Chemical Weed and Brush Control in Christmas Trees.

New Jersey: Rutgers University Press
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Christmas Trees for Pleasure and Profit - Book 212pp. Cost 10.95.

New York: Distribution Center C
7 Research Park
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850
Selection and Care of Your Christmas Trees - IB48.  Cost  $.40
Shaping Christmas Trees for Quality - IB81.  Cost $.80.
(Make  checks payable to: Cornell University.)

Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agriculture
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850
Christmas Tree Fertilization - Cons. Cir. Vol. 24, No. 1. Winter 1986. Bibliography for Christmas Tre e Growers - 1984.  Cost $1.20.

New York Outdoor Publications
P.O. Box 355
Ithaca, NY 14851
How to Grow and Sell Christmas Trees - Book 176pp.  Cost $4 .95.
Growing Christmas Tree and Forest Evergreen Seedlings from Seed - 20pp.  Cost $.75.
25 Sure-fire Ways to Sell All Your Christmas Trees - 8pp.Cost $.50.
The ABCs of Pruning Christmas Trees - 8pp.  Cost $.50.
(Make checks payable to: Outdoor Publications and add 60 cents for postage and handling.)

Vermont: Extension Natural Resources
Aiken Center - SNR
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
Foliar Analysis to Assess Adequate Fertility in ChristmasTree Stands, 1981. Income Tax Reporting for Christmas Tree Growers, 1981. Cost $.25.