Horticultural Alternatives for Texas Agriculture

Christmas Trees

Estimated Cost $350 to $400 per acre establishment costs; $400 to $500 annual operating; 4 years to first harvest in November and December

Market Outlets Wholesale, choose-and-cut your own, retail lots

Market Potential Wholesale, fair; local choose-and-cut, good

Profit Potential $0 to $1,600 per acre

Adapted Areas Statewide; proximity to large town and cities is best opportunity

Labor Requirements Labor intensive; one person can take caare of 12 acres; more help needed for shaping and harvest

Equipment Requirements Tractor, trailer, shredder, sprayer, herbicide applicator, miscellaneous small equipment, trimmer

Soil Requirements Well-drained, 18+ inches of loam or sandy loam over clay is ideal; soil pH determines species to be planted

Water Requirements Supplemental irrigation, usually drip systems, in areas where rainfall is less than 38 inches per year.

Minimum Size 1 acre

Risk Factor Moderate to low

Other Limiting Factors Nantucket pine tip moth control is essential to produce quality trees. Cotton root rot and pith canker infect trees in certain parts of the state.

Additional Information

Texas Christmas Tree Producer's Handbook available through Extension foresters for $15, TAEX L-1733, Growing Christmas Trees in Texas.
Comments Texas uses about 4 million trees per year, while only 250,000 have been grown in the state. Choose-and-cut sales on a local basis near large towns and cities continue to be a good market.

Alternatives Index

Estimated Cost	$350 to $400 per acre establishment costs; $400 to $500 annual operating; 4 years to first harvest in November and December
Market Outlets	Wholesale, choose-and-cut your own, retail lots
Market Potential	Wholesale, fair; local choose-and-cut, good
Profit Potential	$0 to $1,600 per acre
Adapted Areas	Statewide; proximity to large town and cities is best opportunity
Labor Requirements	Labor intensive; one person can take caare of 12 acres; more help needed for shaping and harvest
Equipment Requirements	Tractor, trailer, shredder, sprayer, herbicide applicator, miscellaneous small equipment, trimmer
Soil Requirements	Well-drained, 18+ inches of loam or sandy loam over clay is ideal; soil pH determines species to be planted
Water Requirements	Supplemental irrigation, usually drip systems, in areas where rainfall is less than 38 inches per year.
Minimum Size	1 acre
Risk Factor	Moderate to low
Other Limiting Factors	Nantucket pine tip moth control is essential to produce quality trees. Cotton root rot and pith canker infect trees in certain parts of the state.
Additional Information	Texas Christmas Tree Producer's Handbook available through Extension foresters for $15, TAEX L-1733, Growing Christmas Trees in Texas.
Comments	Texas uses about 4 million trees per year, while only 250,000 have been grown in the state. Choose-and-cut sales on a local basis near large towns and cities continue to be a good market.