Holiday Tree Production

Become part of a Christmas tree business
By Theresa Halvorsen Holiday or Christmas trees are part of a multibillion dollar industry made up of Christmas tree businesses, including tree farmers, suppliers, sellers and buyers. One way to join this industry is to start your own Christmas tree farms.

Starting a Christmas tree farm is harder than simply growing the trees. Once you grow the Christmas trees, you have to worry about marketing them and supplying them to the public. If you're looking to join the Christmas tree business, here are the things you’re most concerned about:

1. Starting a Christmas tree farm

2. Developing a marketing plan

3. Deciding what part of the Christmas tree business to join

Start a Christmas tree farm

With such a heavy focus on sustainable, "green" business practice today, your customers will likely be looking for a Christmas tree provider that follows sustainable farming practice. You'll also need quality equipment at a good price to run your Christmas tree farm.
Try:  To develop a forest management plan, help clarify your objectives and access a free forest management plan template, visit American Tree Farm System. To find the equipment and supplies you need for your Christmas tree business, see Kelco Industries.

Make your Christmas tree business profitable

There's more to Christmas tree production than just growing the trees; you have to make your business profitable. A great way to do that is to write a business plan, which will help you determine what licenses and certificates you need, what kind of a budget you're going to require and will help you get any loans you require. In addition to a business plan, you'll need insurance at a good price or your business will go belly-up before you even start it.
Try:  Go to FarmBoys Treefarm to order "Money Does Grow on Trees," an ebook that offers the all the information you need to run a successful tree farm. For Christmas tree farm insurance, see Keelson Partners.

Network with other Christmas tree businesses

Holiday tree production and businesses actually have a great deal of variety. You may want to become a Christmas tree farmer, growing and caring for the trees. Or your family may want to become Christmas tree suppliers who get the trees to businesses. Alternatively, you may start a Christmas tree business itself that sells the trees.
Try:  On a national level, you can join the National Christmas Tree Association to network with other Christmas tree producers. If you live in the Pacific Northwest and are looking for things a little more local, you can also join the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association to learn valuable information and gain market exposure. If you'd like a magazine catered to Christmas tree farmers, subscribe to Christmas Trees Magazine.

• While many people think only of Christmas tree distributors during the holidays, Christmas tree professionals work year-round.