'Tis the Season - Of Planting and Pruning

Christmas tree farmers throughout New Hampshire have been busy the past few weeks planting fir tree seedlings and fertilizing endless rows of growing Christmas trees.

It takes several years – and hours of hands-on care – for a tiny seedling, like the one shown in this photo, to grow into someone's perfect Christmas tree. While most folks don’t consider a tree until it’s time to select one for holiday trimming, New Hampshire Christmas tree farmers spend much of the spring and summer tending to their crops – from planting the seedlings to top pruning and side pruning each tree by hand later in the summer.

With many thousands of acres throughout the state dedicated to growing Christmas trees, and about 1,000 trees planted per acre – well, that’s a lot of tender loving Christmas tree care!

Decking the Halls… and Doors, Railings, Windows and More!

The Christmas tree is the centerpiece of a home’s holiday decorations. But wreaths – hung on doors, porch rails, or above the mantle – also add festive color and holiday joy to the cold days of winter. Many New Hampshire Christmas tree farms offer a variety of wreaths for sale – from plain to elaborately decorated, and everything in between.
Holiday wreaths are typically made on site at New Hampshire Christmas tree farms, using leftover greens – and creating jobs in the local economy. Some hold a simple red bow, while others are bedecked with pinecones, berries, and other natural adornments. Many farms even offer whimsically-themed wreaths featuring New Hampshire critters like moose and bear.

If you like to go beyond simply decking the halls, some New Hampshire Christmas tree farms also sell garlands in various lengths, for twining around lampposts, railings, and windows. Visit our map to find a link to your favorite New Hampshire Christmas tree farm and see what it has to offer, either on site or through mail order.

Happy decorating!

Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree

Your Christmas tree is the center of your holiday decorating, and by selecting a tree from a New Hampshire Christmas tree farm you’re ensuring your Christmas tree will be fresh, fragrant, and beautiful. Here are a few tips for choosing a perfect Christmas tree:

    • Before you head to your favorite New Hampshire Christmas tree farm, make sure you know how tall and how wide you want your tree to be. Once you’re at the farm, be sure to measure the tree you select before bringing it home – it’ll look different in the field than it will when it’s set up in your home.

    • If you’re not sure which species of Christmas tree will be best for you, learn about the different kinds of trees at realchristmastrees.org, or check with the staff at your Christmas tree farm.
    • Let the whole family join in the fun of choosing the perfect tree! Many New Hampshire Christmas tree farms offer refreshments, gift shops, and other activities on the farm, so you can create a day of family fun around bringing your tree home.
Look here for more tips on selecting a Christmas tree.
And to make sure your tree stays fresh through the holiday season, follow the tree care tips here.

Growing a Christmas Tree - Fun Facts

The Christmas tree you'll trim this winter is probably older than you think. Perhaps you’ve noticed – among all those tall, full, beautiful firs – some smaller “baby” trees lined up in neat rows in the fields of your favorite New Hampshire Christmas tree farm. Those babies are actually 5 years old or older. And the tree you’ll trim this holiday season was likely planted as a seed a dozen years ago or more.

Here’s what it takes to grow a Christmas tree:

First, cones are harvested from mature trees – sometimes trees as old as half a century or more. These cones are dried and sifted to extract the seeds.

Next, the seeds are planted in soil that has been prepared with fertilizer and peat moss, much like a home gardener would ready a vegetable bed. Seeds are planted in the fall and germinate the next spring. After 3 years in a seed bed, the young seedlings are moved to a slightly larger transplant bed, which allows them room to spread their branches a bit.

When they’re 5 years old, these future Christmas trees are moved from the transplant bed and into the field, where they’ll remain in their tidy rows for the next 7 to 10 years. Every tree in the field is fertilized and hand-pruned each year to produce that perfect Christmas tree shape.

Finally, of course, your Christmas tree is cut fresh, ready for trimming and the joys of the holiday season.