Christmas Tree Farming in New York State – It’s a Year Round Job!
Christmas tree farming quiz for kids
Hey, kids! Could you cut it as a Christmas tree farmer? Try this fun quiz and see what you know about growing real Christmas trees in New York State
Learn about starting a Christmas tree farm
Starting and running a Christmas tree farm is a lot of work. Learn what it takes to run a successful Christmas tree farm. View 10-slide presentation
Fun Facts posters available
This great set of four full size posters contains lots of good information about growing Christmas trees in New York State and the benefits to our environment of choosing a real tree.
Large-format poster files are available on request, please contact our office.
Email: info@ctfany.org, Phone: 518-854-7386
Christmas Tree Farm Tours
Christmas Tree farms offer learning opportunities year-round. You can use our Tree Finder tool to locate Christmas Tree farms in your area – many farms offer school tours, special events, and/or in-school presentations.
Discover Christmas Trees curriculum packet
The lessons in this packet will introduce students in grades K-8 to many important aspects of conifer trees and Christmas tree growing in New York State. Our curriculum materials offer both in-class and outdoor investigations of conifers. Through these multidisciplinary lessons, students will increase their ecological literacy and their understanding of the landscape in which they live. They’ll learn the historical context for decorating with evergreens at the darkest time of year-a tradition that long predates the religious celebration of Christmas.
Students will also learn about part of New York State’s agricultural economy – Christmas tree farming. They’ll explore the important ecological role that conifer trees play in the region’s web of life, and they’ll ponder the pros and cons of utilizing living Christmas trees as opposed to artificial ones.
In short, these lessons will connect students with the landscape, history, economy, wildlife, plants, and people in their region. The lessons will challenge them and encourage their creativity, problem-solving skills, research abilities, and much more. Each grade-appropriate lesson plan is linked to New York State Learning Standards and to Core Curriculum Standards. Students will find these lessons useful, engaging, and inspiring.
Research Tree Types
Come and visit our Tree Varieties database, which teaches visitors about the many types of trees that Christmas tree farmers grow every year. There are 16 featured trees with descriptions, characteristics, and a photograph. Pick the one you like best or encourage students to learn about them all.
National Christmas Tree Association
Check out the Teacher Corner on the NCTA website for more education resources to use with students
A children-friendly version of growing trees is also available at How Stuff Works.