Yes, You Can Grow Your Own Christmas Tree—Here’s What It Takes

If you love getting a fresh Christmas tree for your living room each year, you’ve probably wondered if it’s possible to grow one yourself. Do you need the acreage of a whole Christmas tree farm, or can you start your own holiday tradition right in your backyard?

It takes time and effort, but growing your own Christmas tree at home is actually doable—as long as you have the backyard space for it. We spoke with Priya Rajarapu, an Assistant Professor and Christmas Tree Extension Specialist at Oregon State University, for her thoughts, and she has plenty to share.

Choosing the Right Christmas Tree for Your Yard

The first thing you’ll need to consider is what type of Christmas tree you want to grow. The variety you choose will primarily be based on the region you live in, according to Rajarapu.

“There are 16 species commonly grown in the U.S. as Christmas trees, and several factors need to be considered when selecting a species suitable for a backyard,” she says. “These include desired traits, available space, soil type, and elevation. A helpful hint for enthusiastic growers is to choose species native to their region.”

Growing Conditions

Besides choosing a native Christmas tree, Rajarapu says it’s essential to consider the growing conditions that your tree of choice will need.

“For example, Noble fir makes an excellent Christmas tree because of traits like its mild aroma, blue color, and strong, upright branches suitable for heavier ornaments. However, it is naturally suited to higher elevations and requires significant care when grown at lower elevations,” she says.

“Similarly, understanding soil type is essential, as most Christmas tree species prefer acidic soil,” Rajarapu adds. “If these aspects are kept in mind when choosing a species, homeowners can successfully grow a beautiful Christmas tree!”

Before you set your sights on a particular type of tree, make sure you thoroughly research its growing requirements and are prepared to give it the extra care it will need to flourish in your backyard.

Time and Effort

Though it's possible to grow your own tree, make sure to consider the effort you'll need to put into caring for it over the years until you have a mature tree.

“Many homeowners with ample space grow Christmas trees successfully! That said, it does require time and effort to keep trees healthy, attractive, and ready for harvest by Christmas,” Rajarapu says.

Care Routine

Rajarapu recommends establishing a care routine to keep your trees free of diseases and pests (don’t forget to inspect them regularly to catch any issues early). Growing a traditional Christmas tree in your backyard also means you’ll need to spend time shaping it as it grows.

“Christmas tree growers typically shear their trees to make them fuller, and if this is a desired trait, trees need to be pruned once they reach about four feet in height,” Rajarapu says.

Worth the Wait

Now, it’s probably no surprise that Christmas trees take quite some time to grow, and that’s one more thing you’ll need to consider before you plant your own.

“Depending on the species and the desired height, it can take anywhere from 5-10 years for a tree to reach harvestable size,” Rajarapu says.

Be prepared to care for your future Christmas tree for quite a while before you can cut it and bring it indoors. Because Christmas trees take so long to grow, you’ll need to plant at least one new tree every year to ensure you have an appropriately-sized tree come next Christmas.

If you’ve got the yard space for several Christmas trees, then growing them yourself can be a rewarding adventure (and doing the work yourself saves you the cash you’d otherwise spend on live Christmas trees each year). Know that it’ll take time and effort, but that fresh, homegrown Christmas trees are a possibility that pays off.