Christmas tree

Christmas Trees- A worldwide demand all year round

Christmas trees are usually planted at more than 2,000 trees are per acre. On average 1,000 to 1,500 of these trees will survive. Maturity for harvest usually is determined after the trees reach six to seven feet in height. Christmas trees often are “baled”, tied or similarly wrapped to protect the branches and retain the shape and overall quality of the tree during shipping. 2-3 seedlings on average are planted for every harvested Christmas tree.
Reports show that North America cuts 40 million Christmas trees annually, with 3 to 6 million trees cut from Canadian Christmas tree farms. This suggests that Canadian share of the North American Christmas tree production can range from 7% to 15%. In 2004 Canada had a production of 3.9 million trees valued at $62 million of which $36.2 million was generated by 2.5 million exported trees. Quebec accounted for over 30% of this production. The New Brunswick Christmas tree industry is reported to have 350 active growers putting to market approximately 0.5 million trees annually which generates revenues around $10 million.
Prices for pine (currently $6-$9 per tree wholesale) are generally lower than prices for Fir ($20-$25 per tree wholesale).
In 2005 the retail market value of the 32.8 million trees purchased in America at the average purchase price of $41.90 was $1,374 million. Almost all trees require pruning management (shearing) to attain proper branch and fascicle (twig/needle) density and a proper cone-shaped Christmas tree shape. Plantation production is the best system for delivering the regularly scheduled pruning, water management and general care necessary to produce the highest-quality product.
It can take up to 15 years to grow a tree (dependant of species and growing conditions) of average retail sale height (6 - 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is generally 7 years.