Seed To Harvest: Weir Tree Farms

Seed To Harvest

Christmas trees are started by harvesting the cones of genetically superior trees

Harvesting cones from trees that were planted in 1945

Harvested cones are dried and sifted to remove seed.

Sifting process

The ground is conditioned with fertilizer and peat moss. This process is very similar to the preparation of a vegetable garden. The seed is sown in the fall and germinates in the spring.

Current seed beds

After three years in the seed bed, the seedlings are then transferred to a transplant bed on a 6" by 6" grid. This spacing allows for lateral branching.

Transplanting from seed beds

The trees remain in the transplant beds for two years.

Current transplant beds

At the age of five years, the 3-2 transplants are harvested and field planted.
Click here to view YouTube video of the field planting of 5 year old Christmas trees

Field planting process

The trees will remain in the field for seven to ten years and are fertilized annually.

Fertilizing eight year old trees.

Each year, every tree is pruned by hand to produce the ideal shape and density.

Shearing with knives.

Harvesting the trees is a very labor intensive process that needs to be completed in a short period of time in order to ensure freshness.

Cutting trees with a chainsaw

Baling Christmas Trees

Loading trees on trucks

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Please call 1-800-962-7911 toll free for more information or visit our farm in scenic Colebrook, New Hampshire.

Weir Tree Farms
679 E. Colebrook Road
Colebrook, NH 03576
xmas@weirtreefarms.com