Christmas trees are undeniably festive and a staple in many households, particularly during the festive season. For many people, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without the tall coniferous trees draped in lights and decorations. This post will cover more on growing Christmas trees and look at how long to grow a 6-foot Christmas tree.
How long to grow a 6-foot Christmas tree?
While purchasing an artificial Christmas tree is practical and convenient, the authenticity of a real Christmas tree is incomparable. That said, if you are thinking of growing your own Christmas trees, it is imperative to know how long it takes these trees to grow to an appropriate height.
Christmas trees are reasonably fast growers. However, the actual time it takes a single tree to grow to the typical height of 6 feet may surprise you. Typically, it takes about 10 to 12 years, on average, for a Christmas tree to grow from seed to a height of 6 feet.
How long it takes to grow each tree depends on its species, soil conditions, and cultivation practices. Clearly, growing these trees is a serious business.
Christmas Tree Growth
It is certainly an incentive to grow something you and other people will be happy to have around in the festive season. If you have got land to spare, growing Christmas trees is a great way to use it.
Perfectly decorated real Christmas trees add life to the holidays and are enjoyed all season long.
However, waiting for the trees to reach an appropriate height requires years of patience. How long to grow a 6-foot Christmas tree?
Growing trees has many similarities to growing other crops, except that they take longer to mature. No matter the evergreen coniferous species you decide on, plant in early spring after the dangers of frost have passed.
The exact time to plant will depend on the USDA planting zone you live in, but typically February through April. After planting, water the seedling as needed until it establishes new roots and produces new growth.
Spring normally drives fast growth, so don’t just stop watering after you have seen new growth. It is advisable to water regularly for the first two months of planting.
Surprisingly, most Christmas tree species do not benefit from fertilizer or extensive cultivation. In fact, fertilizing can kill them. Your Christmas trees will grow naturally until they reach maturity.
Repeated shearing and trimming are needed to keep it picturesque, however.
Depending on the species you grow and growing conditions, your Christmas trees will be ready for harvesting after 5 to 15 years, but typically 10 to 12 years. Even the faster-growing tree takes years to reach the typical height of 6 – 7 feet.
Different types of Christmas trees
There are many types of trees grown and decorated for Christmas. If you are considering growing Christmas trees, either for personal use or business, it is worth understanding the different varieties you can grow.
Each variety has its growth rate. How quickly it will take for the plant to reach an ideal size depends on a number of factors. Here are some species to grow, ranging from fast-growing to slow-growing species.
Leyland cypress: This fast-growing, sapless tree is commonly grown in the warmer, southern parts of the US. In ideal conditions, it can grow quickly, with young trees growing at the rate of 3 to 4 feet per year. The general growth rate is over 24 inches per year.
Arizona cypress: Common in Arizona and west Texas, this is yet another fast-growing tree that can reach 5 – 7 feet in around 5 years when grown in ideal conditions.
Eastern redcedar: Despite its name, this is a Juniper and has a moderately slow growth rate. In ideal conditions, Eastern redcedar grows at the rate of 1-2 feet per year. It will reach the average Christmas tree size in about 5 – 6 years.
Scotch pine: If you live in a region that experiences a severe drought, this can be an ideal option to grow. It has a deep taproot that enables it to thrive in drought. It grows at a rate of 12 – 24 inches per year. Other great pines to consider are white pine, Virginia pine, and Sand pine.]
Balsam fir: Fir trees are the best option for cooler climates, and balsam fir is one of the favorites. It is easy to grow, requiring little to no maintenance. It can take 7 to 10 years to reach marketable height, depending on growing conditions.
Spruces: Ideal for cooler regions, spruces belong to the slow-growing category of Christmas trees. Depending on the variety you grow and growing conditions, trees can take 7 to 13 years to reach 6 feet.
How long to grow 6 ft Christmas tree: Conclusion
How long it takes Christmas trees to grow to an ideal height depends entirely on the species you grow and growing conditions.
Pruning and shearing will help ensure the tree maintains a good shape.
Related Article: When to Plant Holly for Christmas?