Newswise — 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.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Panhandle
Scattered showers were received across the district. Some cotton was still being harvested. Forage harvest on most acres was completed, and a large portion of these acres was returned to winter cover. Pasture and rangeland acres benefited greatly from recent rainfall. Soil moisture conditions improved. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued. Soil moisture was reported as short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were reported from poor to good. Crops were reported fair to good.
South Plains
Weather patterns ranged from temperatures in the 80s and blowing dust to scattered rain across the district. Rainfall ranged from a quarter of an inch to half an inch. Grass and pasture lands were browning and dry before the rain. Cattle were in good condition. Cotton harvest ended for some producers. Wheat planting was finishing, and irrigation was being used. Cotton yields and grades were good. Grazing on wheat was good.
Rolling Plains
Recent scattered showers brought some short-term relief, and while not a drought-breaking event, isolated pockets of heavier showers provided meaningful improvement in some areas, and producers remained hopeful as outlooks appeared more favorable. Topsoil moisture improved, and the rain offered a timely boost to the emerging winter wheat crop but provided little benefit to deeper subsoil levels. Dry-sown wheat was beginning to emerge. However, due to lack of rain this late in the season, some wheat acres have shifted to spring crops. Cotton harvest was temporarily halted by wet and humid conditions but was expected to resume once fields dried out. Despite the interruptions, crops overall fared reasonably well. Cattle producers began supplementation as pasture conditions remained limited by ongoing dryness.
North
Much-needed rain was received across the district, with 1 to 3 inches reported, depending on the location. More rain in the forecast could help bolster soil moisture levels and carry crops for several weeks. Winter wheat was planted and is emerging. Topsoil moisture was reported as adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture was reported as adequate to short across the district. Corn conditions overall were in good shape and were being harvested across the district. Yields reports were strong. Crop conditions overall were in good shape. Livestock conditions were reported as good, and the grass was still growing. Some producers were starting to build stockpiles and supplementing hay. The hay harvest was in full swing. No major disease or significant insect outbreaks were reported.
East
Areas in the district received rainfall, which helped relieve some of the drought stress. Other areas remained extremely dry and under burn bans. The cattle market remained strong overall. However, Houston County reported slightly lower prices. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with supplementation taking place. Wild pig activity increased along with the damage they had caused.
Far West
Temperatures remained unseasonably warm with daytime highs approaching record. Overall, rainfall during this period provided minimal district-wide improvement to soil moisture, leaving ongoing drought stress largely unchanged. Cool-season forage establishment remained limited and highly patchy, with producers in drier areas delaying planting or planning to reseed. Above normal temperatures allowed cotton to finish and make extra pounds at the end of the season; harvest should finish in the next week or so with good weather. Wheat continued to be planted as cotton was harvested. Most were cover crop acres unless significant rain falls and prices are good at harvest. Pecan farmers were waiting for frost. Some alfalfa farms were expected to cut in the next couple of weeks before going into dormancy. Wind and dust caused short-term respiratory and eye irritation in livestock and increased the need to refresh water sources and protect feed from dust contamination. Rangeland conditions remained dry, so producers were monitoring hay supplies and planning for supplemental feeding.
West Central
Much-needed rain was received, with totals ranging from 1-4 inches. The first rain in a month helped improve dry conditions; more rain was in the forecast for the next week. Temperatures were above average, but were expected to start lowering. Cotton harvest was halted by weather conditions as was some wheat planting. Flash flooding caused excessive water movement. Cotton harvest was nearing completion. Pecan harvest was underway with good to better-than-average yields and quality. Livestock were still in need of running water to fill stock tanks, though the rain helped add water to creeks and tanks. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued due to wet or limited forage conditions.
Central
Warm weather and much-needed rain, from a quarter of an inch to 3 inches, occurred across the district. More rain and cooler temperatures were forecast. Pastures looked good throughout the district. Forage was decreasing, and trees were dropping leaves. Recent precipitation lifted the burn ban. Water sources were stable. Winter wheat and oats planting were near completion. Small grains should take off following the rainfall. Warm-season grasses were going dormant. Cool-season grasses, like ryegrass, were beginning to emerge. No significant insects were reported. Livestock were in good condition on pasture. Supplemental feeding increased slightly. Hay producers were reporting a large storage of hay from previous cuts.
Southeast
Weather and moisture conditions were the primary factors influencing soil health, forage availability, drought status and broader agricultural management. Soil moisture levels throughout the district ranged from 40% surplus to 100% very short. Cotton harvest was completed in portions of the district. Some areas reported extreme to moderate drought, with others observing improvements following recent rainfall. The onset of warm-season forage dormancy increased the need for hay and supplemental feeding for livestock producers. Pasture and rangeland ratings were reported as fair to excellent. Livestock conditions ranged from excellent to good.
Southwest
The district experienced near-normal seasonal temperatures with minimal precipitation. Rainfall ranged from none to about 1.5 inches. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to decline due to drought. Grass was tall and drying out, increasing fire danger. Hay season wrapped up, and a few counties reported a light freeze over the past two weeks. Hay remained available and was slightly cheaper than last year. Pine trees were showing signs of pine beetle infestation, with losses observed. Winter wheat and oats were progressing, though planting was delayed due to dry conditions. Winter grass seedlings emerged in limited amounts. Livestock markets appeared steady to strong. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued, with most animals in fair condition. Whitetail deer were also in good condition but were not coming to feeders while they continued to feed on the acorn crop.
Coastal Bend
Scattered showers late in the week brought up to 2 inches of rain in some areas, but overall dry weather persisted. Soil moisture remained low, and dry topsoil continued to limit winter pasture planting, which was down 40%-50%, with some areas not planted at all. Winter pastures benefited from the showers but still needed a significant rainfall event. Field tasks were mostly current; some fertilizer was applied, and a few cotton gins were still running. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor across much of the district, with limited forage remaining. At least half of the beef producers were feeding hay. Some cattle were marketed early due to forage shortages, and many producers were limiting hay sales as recent cuttings had been light. Pecan harvest continued only where crop quality justified the expense.
South
Temperatures were extremely hot and dry, but were expected to begin cooling off. Rain varied across the district, with a weak cool front in the area. Topsoil and subsoil conditions were dry due to the drought conditions, and agricultural producers were concerned about heading into the winter months with little chance of rainfall. Peanut harvest was still underway, with some producers nearing completion. Strawberries were growing as planting wrapped up. Fall corn continued to mature and progressed well. Some onion producers were irrigating when water was available. Prickly pears and mesquite were yellowing under severe drought stress. Producers harvested leafy greens and cabbage. Wheat and oat crops progressed under irrigation. Citrus harvest continued. Cool-season vegetable crops were irrigated with low pest pressure. Fire dangers were elevated where standing forages had not been grazed, and areas were under a burn ban. Rangeland and pasture conditions were declining as moisture and cooler weather were needed. Some beef cattle producers continued to feed available hay supplies and feared they might run out during the winter months. Protein and mineral supplementation were critical, as forage quality was poor. Hay and feed were in demand in the area. Most wildlife species were not critically affected. White-tailed deer, turkey, dove and quail appeared plentiful and still in good condition.
Photo by JÉSHOOTS: