Start a choose-and-cut christmas tree farm

Local families, plus churches, small businesses and sometimes retail lots that buy wholesale.

Price per tree, often by height, plus add-ons like wreaths, garland, tree stands and hot cider. Most sales happen in a few weeks each winter, and the trees take several years to mature.

• Comfortable with outdoor physical work
• Patience for long planting cycles
• Friendly customer service in the busy season
• Basic equipment use (mower, sprayer, shearing knife)

• Years of costs before your first sale, so plan your cash flow
• Check whether your state requires a nursery or Christmas tree dealer license or inspection
• General liability and farm or agritourism insurance if the public visits your land
• Check county zoning and any sales tax registration for retail sales
• Deer, drought, pests and disease can wipe out plantings, so check local pest quarantine rules

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on acreage, how many trees you plant and the equipment you need. These are estimates. Plan your cash flow carefully, because there are years of costs before your first sale.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many trees you sell, whether you add pre-cut trees and wreaths, and your local customers. This is an estimate, and sales are concentrated in the busy December season.

Check whether your state requires a nursery or Christmas tree dealer license or inspection. Also check county zoning, sales tax registration for retail sales, local pest quarantine rules, and liability or agritourism insurance if the public visits your land.