Start a small christmas tree farm

Local families, plus businesses, community groups and sometimes garden centres or lot sellers who buy in bulk.

Price per tree, often by height. Extras such as wreaths, boughs, stands and farm-gate events add income. Sales come in a short season, so plan your cash flow over the whole year.

• Comfortable with outdoor physical work
• Patience and long-term planning
• Friendly customer service in the busy season

• Years pass between planting and your first sales, so check you can cover costs until then
• Check municipal zoning and whether on-farm sales or events need permits
• Check whether your province offers farm status, which can affect property tax and available programs
• Commercial general liability insurance matters when the public visits your land
• Check with the CFIA about any plant pest rules in your area that limit moving trees
• Drought, deer, rodents and weeds can wipe out young trees

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how much land you need, whether you own or lease it, and the seedlings and equipment you buy. Check you can cover costs through the years before your first sales.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many trees you sell and whether you offer cut-your-own, pre-cut or bulk sales. Trees take several years to grow, so check you can cover costs until your first sales.

Check municipal zoning and whether on-farm sales or events need permits. Also check whether your province offers farm status, which can affect property tax and programs, and ask the CFIA about plant pest rules that limit moving trees. Commercial general liability insurance matters when the public visits.