In Florida there are approximately 1,200 certified Tree Farms. According to the Economic Contributions of the Forest Industry and Forest-based Recreation in Florida (Hodges et al, 2017), there are 17.16 million acres of forestland in Florida, about half of the state’s land area.

Many experts say trees are one of the safest investments you can make with your land. “Trees are a good investment, it’s just a long-term investment,” South Carolina Tree Farm Committee Chairman Dr. George Kessler said. “You plant a tree and it’s 15 years before you get a first harvest,” said McPhail.

In Florida, red cedar, Virginia pine, sand pine, spruce pine and Leyland cypress are grown specifically for use as Christmas trees. Christmas tree harvesting does not upset the ecology, because more trees are planted than harvested each year; the general rule is to plant two to three trees for every tree cut.

Tangible wood products include transplants, Christmas trees and boughs, sawlogs, posts, poles and firewood. The landowner must have at least 40 forested acres.

Dozens of lumber mills and pine-straw, bark and wood-pellet processing plants have sprung up in North Florida to take advantage of the unique soil composition, lengthy growing season and warm, moist climate in which pine trees thrive.

Some Christmas tree varieties are grown in Florida, such as eastern red cedar, sand pine, Leyland cypress and Virginia pine. Others that are sold, but not grown, here are Douglas fir, balsam fir, Fraser fir, grand fir, noble fir, Colorado blue spruce and Scotch pine.

Government funds may also pay for part of the cost of buying trees and planting. Contact local small business support programs and agriculture or forestry advisers for help in completing financial projections. Contact the state and federal agencies that offer the programs that relate to your long-term plans.

Trees are a valuable and renewable resource that can be grown in a tiny backyard or on a 100 acre tree farm. The most profitable trees for most small growers are those in demand by buyers, are reasonably easy to grow, and bring above-average prices when sold.

7 to 10 years
Average-Growing Christmas Trees Fraser fir grows throughout the southern Appalachian region in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, in North Carolina, the Fraser fir “requires from 7 to 10 years in the field to produce a 6-7 feet tree.”

It’s earth-friendly and more profitable than you might imagine when you grow high-value trees. Traditional tree farms are much like a plantation with one primary crop, saw and pulp logs. This means growing Christmas trees makes a tree farmer about ten times more profit per acre.

In Florida, there are a lot of different pine trees that will grow in humidity and warm temperatures. Out of the 126 species of pine trees that grow in the nation, seven pine trees are native to the state.

Pear Trees in Florida. While Florida is best known agriculturally for its orange trees, pears will also grow in the state and are often found in home orchards. Some species grow better in the northern part of the state while others are best adapted to the central regions of Florida.

Everglades Palm/Paurotis Palm. Acoelorrhaphe wrightii,commonly known as the Everglades Palm or the Paurotis Palm,is tall with a shaggy trunk and has leaves that have sharp teeth.

Palm Tree Farm. Palm trees are symbols of rest and relaxation. And they’re not all 80 feet tall with dangling coconuts! At Palmco’s palm tree farm, you’ll discover many rare and hard-to-find species in various heights, colors and textures that will add depth to any landscape.