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Question

Should I choose spruce, fir, or pine for a Christmas tree?

Matt Bowman
Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Matt Bowman

Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden

Expert Answer

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Question

How long does it take to grow a Christmas tree?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

It takes nearly 10 years to grow a tree from a seed to a size suitable for cutting.

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Question

Can you plant a Christmas tree after using it?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, no. Replanting a tree without roots isn't possible and Christmas trees are typically cut down rather than dug up.

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Question

How much do Christmas tree farmers make in a year?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary is $69,880 a year.

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Question

How many acres do you need to grow Christmas trees?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

In 1 acre of land, you can grow approximately 1,500 trees. The more land you have, the more trees you can grow.

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Question

Which type of Christmas tree lasts the longest?

Matt Bowman
Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Matt Bowman

Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden

Expert Answer

A fir will likely last the longest. They don't dry out as quickly as spruces and pines.

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Question

Can I grow Christmas trees in Louisiana?

Megan Callaghan, PhD
Academic Advisor
Megan Morgan is an Academic Advising and Writing expert based in Augusta, Georgia. She has over 7 years of university teaching experience and more than 15 years of professional editing experience. She works as an intern for the Law Library of Congress, and is also a Professional Writing Center Consultant at Augusta University. Her key academic interests involve reference and subject librarianship, government information, and information organization. She provides personalized writing instruction, workshops, and support for AU students, faculty, and staff. Previously, she worked as a Graduate Program Administrator at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. She was a Graduate Advisor for three degrees in the departments of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Georgia College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. She also received both a PhD and MA in English from The University of Georgia, and a BA in English and Creative Writing from the Mississippi University for Women. She wrote her PhD dissertation on narrative structure and social change in novels by 18th-century British women writers.

Megan Callaghan, PhD

Academic Advisor

Expert Answer

Yes, can grow Christmas trees in Louisiana. You probably want to go with a Leyland Cyprus or Virginia Pine. These types will likely flourish the best in your area.

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Question

How long does it take a spruce seedling to grow large enough to be a Christmas tree?

Matt Bowman
Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Matt Bowman

Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden

Expert Answer

Spruces grow about 1 foot a year, maybe a little faster. If you're trying to grow an average-size Christmas tree that's around 6-8 feet tall, that tree will realistically be anywhere from 6-10 years old.

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Question

When should I plant Christmas trees to start my farm?

Community Answer

You should plant them 6 to 8 years before you plan on harvesting. In the Northeast, you should start preparing your field the fall before you plant by removing competing vegetation.

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Question

When should I fertilize a Christmas tree?

Community Answer

If you have a temporary tree that will only be up for Christmas, don't worry about fertilizing, just add water to the stand every day. When growing your own, if it's outside it will fertilize itself. Otherwise, just drop old fruits and other things that will turn into compost.

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Question

I want to plant a potted Christmas tree (4ft tall) permanently in the ground outside, but don't want it to get too tall (more than 10ft). Can I keep it short by pruning it?

Community Answer

Not really. Most Christmas tree varieties will grow to 50 to 90 feet high. While you could prune the daylights out of it to attempt to keep it short, the results will be unnatural looking.

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Question

There is a Christmas tree growing in my garden. Why does the tip of it bend over during the day but stand tall at night?

Community Answer

Most plants grow towards a light source via chloroplasts that detect and adapt towards light in the vicinity. Through the absence of major light sources (e.g. the sun) at night, this process temporarily halts and the tree stands up straighter.

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Question

How do I grow the tree in a pot?

Community Answer

Buy seeds from a garden center or online. Get a big enough plant pot to plant it in; you can re-pot as it grows bigger. Make sure the soil has been watered prior to planting. It needs to be kept warm, so leave it on the windowsill and in good sunlight. Keep the topsoil moist. When it's big enough, you can plant it outside when the weather gets a bit warmer.

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