Rising Demand for Texas-Grown Christmas Trees

The demand for Texas-grown Christmas trees is on the rise as acreage and entrepreneurial interest in farms expands, despite back-to-back years of drought.

Texas Christmas tree growers are experiencing a successful season, according to Dr. Fred Raley, Texas A&M Forest Service director of the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program.

The impact of drought varied based on localized rainfall and access to irrigation, with some farms supplementing their native tree stocks this year with shipped trees.

However, consumers should expect higher prices this holiday season for both choose-and-cut and shipped cut trees.

“Demand is up, whether the previous seasons impacted supplies or supplies held steady, so there is a potential for price increases and limited selection,” Raley said. “The increased cost of shipping in fresh-cut trees from other states will also factor into prices.”

Sales for Christmas trees typically kick off the weekend following Thanksgiving.

Texas growers are expanding their acreage where possible and diversifying their farms with hayrides, do-it-yourself decorations, wreath making and Christmas games.

“They’re trying to build a complete seasonal experience,” Raley said. “We’re seeing some older generational farms closing, but we’re also hearing from younger entrepreneurs who want to do something in the green industry, and they are looking to start with Christmas trees.”

Stan Reed, executive secretary of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association, estimates there are 85-95 tree farms in Texas, ranging from small “mom and pop” growers-sellers to 60-70-acre farms.

There are four primary tree varieties that perform well in Texas growing conditions—Virginia and Afghan pines and Leyland and Carolina sapphire cypresses.

Demand for replacement seedlings continues to rise.

New information and methods are helping growers increase production and limit setbacks like lost seedlings.

Christmas trees in Texas are typically grown in four-year rotations, with growers purchasing around 130,000 seedlings so far this year for upcoming replants.

Growers are encouraged to buy more trees than they will plant to replace the season’s harvest, keeping excess trees potted to replace any seedlings that fail to establish. Some growers are even keeping trees potted longer to expedite growth and shorten the harvest time to three years.