Farmer Finds Salvation in Christmas Tree Farming

Auburn, Dec. 2, 2003 --- Eighteen years ago, Covington County farmer Willie Cottle was at the end of his rope. 

A mechanic by day, he supplemented his income by raising hogs, cows and a couple of row crops.  He also operated a plant nursery for a while.

But nothing worked.  His swine operation almost put him out of farming entirely.  And if that wasn’t bad enough, health problems forced him to give up his day job as a mechanic. 

With his future looking dimmer by the day, Cottle needed a new source of income.  That’s when he got the inspiration to raise Christmas trees.

His neighbors thought he was nuts.  And in all honesty, he couldn’t blame them.  But his back was against the wall, and the future of his farm depended on his trying something new.

After taking stock of his situation, he settled on a business strategy --- sell every Christmas tree on his farm, no matter how big or small, for one price and one price only.  He has stuck to this strategy through thick and thin for the last two decades, and he’s never regretted his decision.  

“People who visit my farm go on and on about what a good deal they’ve gotten on their tree,” he said.  “Then they ask if they could buy a smaller tree at a reduced price, and my answer is always the same --- no, sir.”

For this strategy to work, Cottle has to keep his operating costs at a minimum – no easy feat.  From the very beginning, he has functioned as a one-man operation, maintaining his 5,000 trees --- mostly Virginia pines with a few Leland cypress trees --- almost entirely by himself.  His sons, who both have jobs away from home, lend a hand during the Christmas season.  Aside from that, he is left to do all the pruning, spraying and grass cutting.

Cottle Christmas Tree Farm is distinguished by more than just one-price trees.  Going the extra one, or, when the need arises, two or three miles is another Cottle trademark even on days when he’d rather be home in bed nursing his bad back.

“I remember sitting on the tailgate of my truck one evening with big-time back problems,” he recalled.  “All my family had scattered like a covey of quail --- gone.  This lady and her daughter drove up and asked about my prices.  I gave them my standard price and pointed out that this also covered the cost of greening, trimming and bagging.”

Without realizing it at the moment, Cottle had put himself out on a limb.  After excusing themselves for a couple of minutes to inspect the trees, the mother and daughter returned, barely able to contain their snickering.

She wanted a tree but only if it could be dug up and bagged.

Pondering all that digging as well as his throbbing back, all Cottle could think was, “I’ve made a big mistake.”

Still, with characteristically grim determination, Cottle eased himself off his tailgate and walked back to his house to retrieve two shovels --- one for him and one for the woman, who had offered to lend a hand.

“She fell in there and helped me dig up that tree, and in the process of digging I learned that she was a school teacher from Evergreen.”

In no time at all, the tree was out of the ground, bagged and loaded in the woman’s car trunk. 

After offering her effusive thanks for all the hard work, the school teacher insisted on paying extra for the tree.  But Cottle wouldn’t hear of it.  He did hand her a stack of fliers and asked her to pass them out to co-workers at her school.  Word of his good deed obviously spread because the following weekend, his farm was teeming with customers from all over south Alabama. 

And word continues to spread.  Cottle, who keeps careful track of his customers, has sent his trees as far south as the Florida Cape and as far north as Tennessee.

Still, as he is the first to concede, Christmas tree farming is not for everybody.  Within the past decade, in fact, there has been a steep decline in the number of farmers employed in the industry --- not surprising considering that hours are long and the work back-breaking, especially during the month-long stretch from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  

Cottle, in fact, is one of only about 60 Christmas tree farmers employed throughout the state.  The industry generates about $750,000 in annual sales, according to Dr. Ken Tilt, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System horticulturist and Auburn University professor of horticulture.

Even so, Cottle is convinced the decision he made 18 years ago to raise Christmas trees was the right one.

“It’s been good for me, and it probably saved this farm.”

(Writer: Jim Langcuster, Extension Communications Specialist, News and Public Affairs, 334-844-5686.)

(Writer: Jim Langcuster, Extension Communications Specialist, News and Public Affairs, 334-844-5686.)

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Alabama Christmas Trees:  Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of buying an Alabama-grown Christmas tree instead of an artificial tree or a live tree grown in another state? 

Freshness is one of the biggest factors.  Indeed, from the standpoint of freshness, Alabama-grown trees enjoy a distinct advantage because they are chosen and cut from the farm. 

By contrast, many of the trees you purchase at grocery stores or other retail outlets --- typically firs, spruces and scotch pines from other states --- likely were cut weeks ago and already may be turning dry. 

With an Alabama farm-grown tree, you’re also buying a unique experience.  Choosing and cutting a tree from an Alabama farm guarantees you and your family a Christmas memory that you will cherish for a lifetime. 

What are some of the most popular Alabama-grown Christmas trees?

The most popular Alabama-grown tree is the Leyland cypress tree, which is widely know as the Southern Christmas tree.

It has a natural color and, unlike many northern-grown varieties, it doesn’t shed after cutting.  In fact, as long as they receive adequate amounts of water, Leyland cypress trees can last from Thanksgiving until well past New Year’s. 

Another popular tree is the Arizona cypress, which is typically available in two varieties, blue ice and Carolina sapphire.  Virginia pines are also popular. 

A few people still prefer the red cedar, though one disadvantage is that they are extremely sticky compared with other varieties.  Still, it remains the preferred tree among a small number of Alabamians who remember this very fragrant tree from childhood.

Some white pines and spruces are still being grown in north Alabama, though in the south, neither of these species holds a candle to the popularity of Leyland cypress trees.

Aren’t live trees a hazard around the home?

Trees do not start fires by themselves; they have to be exposed ignited by a heat source.   Improvements in Christmas tree lights have greatly reduced the risk of fires. 

Leyland and Arizona cypress trees, the most popular Alabama-grown trees, are considered especially safe for the home.  They are far less prone to drying than northern-grown trees such as firs and spruce trees, both of which are characterized by heavy sap. After cutting heavy sap tends to clog, preventing the uptake of water into the rest of the tree.  As a result, these trees often dry out very quickly unless they’re handled and maintained correctly.

Leyland cypress and Arizona cypress both are far less susceptible to clotting.   True, they require a lot of water, but if they are properly maintained throughout the Christmas season, they do not dry out as quickly as fir and spruce trees.  Therefore, they pose less of a fire hazard.  Research conducted several years ago by Auburn University confirms this.

What are the advantages of live trees versus cut trees?

A lot of environmentally-conscious people do not see the logic of throwing away trees after Christmas or do they think it’s reasonable to pay $30 or $40 dollars for a tree that is displayed for only a few weeks and then discarded.

It should be remembered, though, that Christmas trees are no different than any other crop grown on the farm and discarded after use.  Just as corn cobs can be composted after use, Christmas trees can be ground up and used for mulch or turned into a wildlife or aquatic habitat after the Christmas season.  The only difference is that it takes a few more years to grow a Christmas tree.  Like corn and other organic materials, Christmas trees are biodegradable.

Even so, Christmas trees that either have been bagged in burlap or planted in a container have become a popular alternative for these environmentally conscious consumers. 

It’s best to keep these trees away from heaters or warm areas in the home.  Otherwise, the tree will have a harder time adapting to the colder conditions outside after planting.

Also, avoid buying live firs and spruce trees, neither of which are adapted to Alabama’s warmer climate.

The live trees best suited to Alabama’s growing conditions are Leyland and Arizona cypress.  They also make excellent additions to the landscape and are well-suited as screening plants.  However, they grow to be very large trees --- as high as 50 feet --- and should be planted at least 12 feet apart.  For this reason, many homeowners would not find it practical to plant a live tree every year after Christmas.

How easy is it to recycle natural Christmas trees?

Many communities throughout Alabama have established Christmas tree recycling programs.  You should call your city hall for more details.

Some tree recycling programs require that the trees be dropped off at a central location.  Others provide roadside pickup.  The trees either are deposited into nearby lakes, providing excellent habitats for fish, or used for mulch.  The mulch from these trees is often made available to local homeowners or applied to municipal landscapes.

If you live in a heavily wooded area, you can do your own recycling.  Discarded trees in wooded areas provide excellent animal habitats. 

How large is the Alabama Christmas tree industry?

There are between 50 and 60 growers throughout Alabama, representing about a $3 million industry.

What is there to do at a Christmas tree farm besides choosing and cutting a tree?

Many farms sponsor wagon rides to the sites.  Some include pick-your-own operations, while others offer petting zoos.  One grower even features live reindeer during the holidays.  Other growers also provide shops where people can purchase Christmas tree crafts and accessories, wreathes and other seasonal items.  It all depends on the particular farm.

Community Christmas tree farms also have become learning centers for many Alabama school systems.  Busloads of children tour these operations for hands-on exposure to farming.   Alabama Christmas tree producers also have helped teachers develop teaching materials for math and history.  

In addition to purchasing an Alabama-grown Christmas tree, you’re also supporting your community’s farmers and, in turn, helping them serve their communities.

(Source: Dr. Ken Tilt, Extension Horticulturist and Auburn University Professor of Horticulture, 334-844-5484; Writer: Jim Langcuster, Extension Communications Specialist, News and Public Affairs)

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