An increase in farm acreage, coupled with ongoing consumer demand and opportunities for new seed-improvement programs, signals a positive outlook for the Texas Christmas tree industry, according to a Texas A&M Forest Service expert.
Fred Raley, Ph.D., Texas A&M Forest Service tree improvement and nurseries department head, said the findings of the 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture illustrate the industry’s expansion.
“The latest census notes 220 Christmas tree growers in Texas farming a total of 3,565 acres — up substantially from 2017 census numbers,” Raley said.
In 2017, 125 producers grew Christmas trees across 945 acres. The 2022 census data also revealed a 26% increase in Christmas tree sales from 2017.
“This shows us the market is growing,” Raley said.
Opportunity for growth, region-specific improved tree varieties
Virginia pine is the most commonly grown Christmas tree species in Texas, thanks to its climatic adaptability, growth rate and form.
Raley has led the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Virginia Pine Tree Improvement Program for more than a decade, conducting extensive testing and evaluation to develop locally adapted seed varieties.
“Our field testing is extensive, spanning all the way from the Red River down to Beaumont,” he said. “We have very specific performance data for different seed lines, and we can select for characteristics such as drought tolerance and growth habit for specific ecoregions.”
This improved seed stock provides a stable seed supply to members of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association.
“As the market grows, our challenge is to meet that need with a continued supply of improved seeds,” he said.
Raley said he would like to continue refining Virginia pine seed varieties while also developing additional programs for alternative tree species such as Afghan pine and Leland cypress.
Afghan pine and Leland cypress are among the existing Christmas tree options for growers and consumers in the western portion of the state, where soils are more arid and alkaline.
“I’m very interested in possibly launching an improvement program for Afghan pine,” Raley said. “This is the go-to species for growers in Central and Southwest Texas. It’s a very compact and nicely formed tree.”
Small-scale farms fulfill ongoing demand for trees
According to the Census of Agriculture, roughly 66% of the state’s farms are less than 10 acres in size.
While the majority of Texas Christmas tree farms are small-scale, there are a handful of operations that are 100 acres or more in size, said Bob Jones, National Christmas Tree Association director of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers’ Association.
“The Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association annually distributes around 130,000 seedlings to Texas farms to replenish trees harvested,” Jones said.
While Virginia Pine remains the “anchor species” for the Texas Christmas tree industry, Jones said Leland cypress has grown in popularity over the last decade, thanks in part to its hypoallergenic nature and tendency to retain its needles throughout the season.
Seasonal experiences augment farm operations
Some tree farms have expanded their operations beyond the traditional Christmas tree purchase to draw in more consumers, Jones and Raley said. Farms are increasingly incorporating elements of agrotourism to provide a full seasonal experience.
From fall pumpkin patches to hayrides with Santa Claus and backdrops for family photo shoots, producers can gain additional financial benefits by expanding how they use their planted acres.
Ample supply and tree quality await consumers this year
Although drought conditions in 2023 presented some difficulty for Texas growers, overall conditions have recovered, setting the stage for good consumer selection and prices comparable to those seen last year.
“Inventories are really good across Texas and the U.S.,” Jones said. “There should be ample selection for anyone wishing to purchase a live tree this year.”
