By Clint Thompson
Christmas tree production in Alabama can be an enticing endeavor, especially for retirees looking for some form of supplemental income. But potential growers need to be wary of what they’re getting into before planting their first tree, says Jeremy Pickens, Alabama assistant Extension professor in horticulture at Auburn University.
“You’ve got to be planning ahead; putting your order in for your trees, your transplants, a year in advance,” Pickens said. “It takes about a minute a tree to prune. You can fit around 600 per acre. It adds up, and it’s rough on you. After a day, your shoulders are feeling it.”
Labor
Labor costs can be high as well, though that may be less of a problem for smaller growers.
“I would say a lot of the variable costs are low, outside of the labor. I wouldn’t say it’s any more than other specialty crops. The labor is your most expensive thing, but for a lot of people, that’s their own time,” Pickens said. “I think a lot of folks are doing it on the side. They may be an electrician or a school teacher and they have 5 to 10 acres. They’ll do a little after work and on the weekends.”
Improved Efficiency
Aspiring growers should also be aware of ways that current producers are attempting to become more efficient with their resources and time. Farmers are figuring out ways to mechanize as much as they can.
“Instead of using a handgun sprayer, switching to a small airblast sprayer to decrease the time it takes to spray. Folks are being inventive. They’re building hooded sprayers on their zero turn mowers. They can spray herbicides a lot faster without getting it on their trees. They’re looking for ways to save time,” Pickens said.
Pickens added that growers can expect between 3 to 4 years to grow a 7- to 8-foot tree.
