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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
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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

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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
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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.
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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

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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.

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Professional Organizations
National Christmas Tree Association 16020
Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 300Chesterfield, MO
63017Internet http//www.christmastree.org Chri
stmas Trees The Worlds Leading Christmas Tree
Magazine P.O. Box 107 Lecompton, Kansas
66050 Internet http//www.christmastreesmagazine.
com/
Master Tree Farmer Internet http//mastertreefarm
er.org Christmas Tree Associations Internet
http//slis.cua.edu/ihy/SP/BJ2.htm
Christmas Tree Farms Internet http//library.thin
kquest.org/TQ0312380/xmas.htm?tqskip11 Risk
Management Education for Christmas Tree Producers
Internet http//www.christmastreeriskmanagement.
com
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