While families across the globe enjoy the festive ritual of choosing their perfect Christmas tree, few consider the monumental, year-round effort that makes this tradition possible. For those working on the farms, Christmas is a full-time, physically demanding occupation.
A Twelve-Month Cycle of Festive Preparation
Justus Bischoff, a 22-year-old from Stayton, Oregon, has spent the last five years working on a Christmas tree farm and shared the intricate timeline with the Daily Mail. Contrary to popular belief, the process of ensuring trees are ready for December is a lengthy one, beginning months, even years, in advance.
During spring, the focus is on planting new saplings and shearing the growing trees to maintain their classic shape. By early summer, preparations for the upcoming harvest season are already underway. From July to September, workers tag trees with coloured labels, grading them meticulously by both height and species.
The High-Flying Harvest Operation
The intense harvest period runs from mid-September right through to December. This is when the scale of the operation becomes truly clear. Workers move heavy equipment like elevators, balers, and trailers across the fields.
In a dramatic display of logistics, a helicopter is often used to airlift felled trees from remote parts of the fields to a central clearing for processing. From there, trees ranging from a modest 3ft to a towering 20ft are loaded onto semi-trucks for shipment to destinations worldwide.
The Realities of Life as a Christmas Tree Farmer
Bischoff, who has found online fame by documenting his work on TikTok to over 64,000 followers, fell into the job by accident after his brother's recommendation. He now adores the outdoor, hands-on nature of the work, stating it feels peaceful and "always feels like Christmas."
However, he is candid about the significant downsides. The job is extremely physically demanding, requiring workers to stay in peak condition. During tagging season, his days start extremely early, and he regularly walks over 10 miles before midday.
The harvest is even more strenuous, involving chopping down massive, heavy trees, operating dangerous saws and equipment, and working long hours in all weather conditions. "We're carrying trees during harvest, ranging from 3ft to 20ft," Bischoff explained. "During the summertime, we work in the heat and walk around 10 miles a day."
While Bischoff admits he likely won't farm trees forever, he has no immediate plans to leave. The job has instilled in him a deep appreciation for the outdoors and, of course, for the Christmas season itself—a sentiment nurtured through twelve months of hard graft.
