Oklahoma has approximately 30 Christmas tree farms. Most of them are classified as “choose-and-cut” operations. That means customers select trees directly from the farm and either cut them themselves or have someone cut it for them. Trees purchased from “choose and cut” lots are fresher than those bought from lots or stores, so they last longer. Management of a Christmas tree farm includes weed control, insect and disease control, and tree shaping. It can take 5 or 6 years to grow a tree to the preferred height of 6-8 feet. Although Christmas trees can be grown on a variety of sites, the better the site the more efficient the operation and the faster the production of marketable trees. Location in relation to the market is also important. The closer a farm to a large population area, the more successful the farm will be. Level to rolling land is best suited for Christmas tree production since it will most easily accommodate equipment used for site preparation, planting, and weed control. The site should be protected from the wind, since our Oklahoma wind can deform, break, or dry out trees. The ideal soil is a deep, slightly acidic, loamy soil with good drainage. The species best suited for Oklahoma conditions are Virginia pine, Scotch pine and Austrian pine. Eastern red cedar grows naturally in Oklahoma, and some people harvest field-grown trees for use as Christmas trees. Bare root seedlings are planted December to March. Seedlings are planted in straight rows. A spacing of six by six is usually the closest for a tree that will grow to an average height of six feet. This spacing allows 1,200 trees per acre. Some growers start new trees in partially harvested fields each year. It is estimated that only 50 percent of the trees planted ever make it to market, mostly because of improper handling and storage of seedlings and improper planting techniques. Trees do not grow into the conical shape of a Christmas tree without help. Shearing or “shaping” is one of the most time-Consuming parts of the production process. Shearing helps create a single main stem, balanced symmetrical form, full and compact foliage and proper taper. These are all considered in the USDA grading system. A green colorant is used on some species, such as Virginia pine, which tends to turn yellow during the winter months. The three basic ways Christmas trees are sold include choose and cut, retail and wholesale. Choose and cut is the most popular technique among Oklahoma growers. This requires planting near a populated area so the buyer can travel to the farm to select a tree. The tree is then cut down and prepared so the customer can transport it home fresh. Under the choose and cut method, trees not sold can be left to grow another season. In the US, approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold each year. Almost all of these come from Christmas tree farms or plantations. Among the important Christmas tree-producing areas in the US are Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest. The most common types of trees grown are fir, pine, spruce, and cypress.
Oklahoma has approximately 30 Christmas tree farms. Most of them are classified as “choose-and-cut” operations. That means customers select trees directly from the farm and either cut them themselves or have someone cut it for them. Trees purchased from “choose and cut” lots are fresher than those bought from lots or stores, so they last longer. Management of a Christmas tree farm includes weed control, insect and disease control, and tree shaping. It can take 5 or 6 years to grow a tree to the preferred height of 6-8 feet. Although Christmas trees can be grown on a variety of sites, the better the site the more efficient the operation and the faster the production of marketable trees. Location in relation to the market is also important. The closer a farm to a large population area, the more successful the farm will be. Level to rolling land is best suited for Christmas tree production since it will most easily accommodate equipment used for site preparation, planting, and weed control. The site should be protected from the wind, since our Oklahoma wind can deform, break, or dry out trees. The ideal soil is a deep, slightly acidic, loamy soil with good drainage. The species best suited for Oklahoma conditions are Virginia pine, Scotch pine and Austrian pine. Eastern red cedar grows naturally in Oklahoma, and some people harvest field-grown trees for use as Christmas trees. Bare root seedlings are planted December to March. Seedlings are planted in straight rows. A spacing of six by six is usually the closest for a tree that will grow to an average height of six feet. This spacing allows 1,200 trees per acre. Some growers start new trees in partially harvested fields each year. It is estimated that only 50 percent of the trees planted ever make it to market, mostly because of improper handling and storage of seedlings and improper planting techniques. Trees do not grow into the conical shape of a Christmas tree without help. Shearing or “shaping” is one of the most time-Consuming parts of the production process. Shearing helps create a single main stem, balanced symmetrical form, full and compact foliage and proper taper. These are all considered in the USDA grading system. A green colorant is used on some species, such as Virginia pine, which tends to turn yellow during the winter months. The three basic ways Christmas trees are sold include choose and cut, retail and wholesale. Choose and cut is the most popular technique among Oklahoma growers. This requires planting near a populated area so the buyer can travel to the farm to select a tree. The tree is then cut down and prepared so the customer can transport it home fresh. Under the choose and cut method, trees not sold can be left to grow another season. In the US, approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold each year. Almost all of these come from Christmas tree farms or plantations. Among the important Christmas tree-producing areas in the US are Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest. The most common types of trees grown are fir, pine, spruce, and cypress.
Christmas Tree Farms in Oklahoma
Christmas Tree Farms in Oklahoma
Santa’s Forest Tree Farm, Ponca City
Santa’s Forest Tree Farm, Ponca City
Four Daughters Tree Farm, Norman
Four Daughters Tree Farm, Norman
Owasso Christmas Tree & Berry Farm, Owasso
Owasso Christmas Tree & Berry Farm, Owasso
Coffee Creek Christmas Tree Farm, Arcadia
Coffee Creek Christmas Tree Farm, Arcadia
Canadian Valley Tree Farm, Noble
Canadian Valley Tree Farm, Noble
Pleasant Valley Farms, Sand Springs
Pleasant Valley Farms, Sand Springs
Martinbird Tree Farm, Tuttle
Martinbird Tree Farm, Tuttle
Red Barn Christmas Tree Farm, McAlester
Red Barn Christmas Tree Farm, McAlester
JANDA Bend Christmas Trees, Stillwell
JANDA Bend Christmas Trees, Stillwell
TG Farms, Newcastle
TG Farms, Newcastle
Sorghum Mill Christmas Trees & Blackberry Farm, Edmond
Sorghum Mill Christmas Trees & Blackberry Farm, Edmond
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