Chirstmas tree farm

Christmas tree cultivation is an agricultural, forestry, and horticultural occupation which involves growing pine, spruce, and fir trees specifically for use as Christmas trees. The first Christmas tree farm was established in 1901, but most consumers continued to obtain their trees from forests until the 1930s and 1940s. Christmas tree farming was once seen only as a viable alternative for low-quality farmland, but that perception has changed within the agriculture industry. For optimum yield and quality, land should be flat or gently rolling and relatively free of debris and undergrowth.

A wide variety of pine and fir species are grown as Christmas trees, although a handful of varieties stand out in popularity. In the United States,Douglas-fir, Scots Pine and Fraser Fir all sell well. Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce sell well in the United Kingdom, the latter being popular throughout Europe. Like all conifers, Christmas trees are vulnerable to a range of pests. Aphids and adelgids are the most common problems among insect pests, and sudden oak death is a recent development in Californian tree farms. Christmas tree farming has also raised criticism from environmentalists due to the use of pesticides and the possible effects of farming on biodiversity.

A Christmas tree farmer in the U.S. stateof Florida explains the pruning and shearing process of cultivation to a government employee.

This Christmas tree farm in Iowa is located on flat ground and has well-mowed rows between the trees.

Fraser Fir (cone and foliage pictured) is a popular species of Christmas tree in both the United States and Great Britain.