Agricultural Careers Christmas Tree Farmer By Dr Frank

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 Association 16020 Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 300 Chesterfield, MO 63017 Internet: http: //www. christmastree. org Christmas Trees The World’s Leading Christmas Tree Magazine P. O. Box 107 Lecompton, Kansas 66050 Internet: http: //www. christmastreesmagazine. com/ Master Tree Farmer Internet: http: //mastertreefarmer. org Christmas Tree Associations Internet: http: //slis. cua. edu/ihy/SP/BJ 2. htm Christmas Tree Farms Internet: http: //library. thinkquest. org/TQ 0312380/xmas. htm? tqskip 1=1 Risk Management Education for Christmas Tree Producers Internet: http: //www. christmastreeriskmanagement. com