A Christmas tree typically takes seven to 10 years to reach full growth, however, the tree will not make it to its holiday home without help. Oregon is the top producing state in the country for Christmas trees, and Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm is one of the top producers for Lane County according to Bob Schutte, co-owner of Northern Lights.
Located 20 minutes southeast of the University of Oregon, Northern Lights has 162 acres of land with about 80 dedicated to growing four different types of Christmas trees. “Christmas trees are just like people. They come in all different sizes and shapes,” Schutte said. Bob and his wife Lynn opened the farm together 40 years ago.
Before the farm opened, the Schuttes were looking for a few acres of land to start their new lives as retirees. Bob’s brother gave him a call when the 162 acre lot next to his home went up for sale, and they ended up with the land and a new career path.
Bob’s typical day has him tending to the trees or building a new fence so their cows won’t run off. “Cows and Christmas trees do not mix,” Schutte said.
“We’ve been doing it long enough that you know, our setup has been working good for us. It gets fine tuned every year,” Schutte said.
“There’s a lot of skills that go into figuring out what makes a Christmas tree grow. ‘Why doesn’t this field grow so good? Why does this field of trees die at three years of age? Because they planted in the low area where we had a lot of ground.’ Okay, wow, learn not to do that again,” he said.
To best price his trees, Schutte will look at the operating costs from the last year and take into account how inflation may affect the upcoming year. “This season, on a Christmas tree farm, has to carry us all the way to the next season. So, if the price of tractor parts goes up all of a sudden in March, man, that hits me hard,” Schutte said.
He has noticed their operating costs rise every year. “That’s in part because of me,” he said, “as I get older and older, and I want to do less and less right. So, you know, I’ll hire another hand, yeah, help with feeding the cows or doing whatever needs to be done.”
In 2023 the price for a Christmas tree increased by 10-15%. According to the American Christmas Tree Association, prices have inflated by another 10% this year. Last year, Northern Lights sold Nordman and Noble trees at $55 for their shortest tree and $240 for their tallest. This year, those varieties of tree will run the customer $58 and $270 respectively.
To diversify their income throughout the year, Northern Lights hosts summer weddings next to their home that neighbors the Willamette River. Additionally, a pumpkin patch grows on a few of the acres where customers can pick during October. Pumpkins were sold for 59 cents a pound. They also sell grass fed beef, jerky and sausages.
Along with the “u-cut” and pre-cut tree sections, there are a coffee, donut and corn and hot dog carts. The farm also offers free hayrides, a gift shop and a tent to buy wreaths.
“It’s so cute and festive,” first time Northern Lights Customer Grace Clark said while contemplating purchasing a noble fir.
Northern Lights will be selling their trees until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
