After 10 years of careful growth, John Wyckoff's Christmas trees sell for $105 each. Despite the challenges of weather and rising costs, his farm in Belvidere, N.J., is experiencing increased demand. The slow-growing trees yield a 20% profit and can take a decade to mature, but current market conditions are favorable. [49 words]
It took 10 years to grow this Christmas tree and it's now priced at $105. John Wyckoff, 57, and his family have been growing Christmas trees in Belvidere, N.J., since the 1950s. The trees grow slowly, taking about 10 years from seed to harvest. The farm sells popular trees like the Fraser fir, Norway Spruce, Canaan, and Douglas firs. Despite the risks, the trees remain Mr. Wyckoff’s most profitable crop. He expects to sell 7,000 this year, up from 5,000 last year. According to Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, there is currently high demand for Christmas trees customers can pick and cut themselves outdoors. Bert Cregg, a horticulture professor at Michigan State University, said farmers can make a 50 percent profit on each tree, but Mr. Wyckoff said his profit was closer to 20 percent a tree. Mr. Wyckoff’s Christmas Tree Farm has faced increased costs due to factors like rising diesel fuel prices. Environmental concerns like climate change and extreme weather also pose risks, as 5,500 of the 10,000 trees he planted this year were lost to drought and flooding, costing him at least $27,500. To keep up with costs, Mr. Wyckoff raised the price of his trees this year to $15 a foot, or $105 for a seven-foot tree, up from $14 a foot last year. Despite concerns about a potential downturn in demand, business is currently good.
It took 10 years to grow this Christmas tree and it's now priced at $105. John Wyckoff, 57, and his family have been growing Christmas trees in Belvidere, N.J., since the 1950s. The trees grow slowly, taking about 10 years from seed to harvest. The farm sells popular trees like the Fraser fir, Norway Spruce, Canaan, and Douglas firs. Despite the risks, the trees remain Mr. Wyckoff’s most profitable crop. He expects to sell 7,000 this year, up from 5,000 last year. According to Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, there is currently high demand for Christmas trees customers can pick and cut themselves outdoors. Bert Cregg, a horticulture professor at Michigan State University, said farmers can make a 50 percent profit on each tree, but Mr. Wyckoff said his profit was closer to 20 percent a tree. Mr. Wyckoff’s Christmas Tree Farm has faced increased costs due to factors like rising diesel fuel prices. Environmental concerns like climate change and extreme weather also pose risks, as 5,500 of the 10,000 trees he planted this year were lost to drought and flooding, costing him at least $27,500. To keep up with costs, Mr. Wyckoff raised the price of his trees this year to $15 a foot, or $105 for a seven-foot tree, up from $14 a foot last year. Despite concerns about a potential downturn in demand, business is currently good.