What does a Christmas Tree Farm Worker typically do?

Common duties include planting and maintaining evergreen stock, shearing/pruning for shape, preparing harvest blocks, selecting and cutting trees (role-dependent), running trees through netting/balers, grading, and loading for transport.

How is pay set for seasonal agriculture roles in the H-2A context?

For H-2A-type job orders, employers must pay at least the highest applicable required wage for the role and location. In practice, many offers reference the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) as a baseline minimum and pay can be higher depending on state, occupation and employer terms.

Is housing typically provided?

In many H-2A-style seasonal agricultural job orders, housing is commonly provided by the employer at no cost to the worker for the contract period. Exact arrangements depend on the employer and job order.

What hours and schedule are common?

Seasonal agriculture job orders commonly describe full-time workweeks with variable hours that can increase during harvest peaks. The posted schedule depends on weather, crop needs and employer operations.

Do I need prior experience with tools like chainsaws?

Not always. Some worksites assign cutting only to trained workers, while other tasks (dragging, baling, stacking, inventory and field maintenance) are available for entry-level candidates. Any tool use must follow site safety rules and training.

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Christmas Tree Farm Worker

Seasonal Christmas tree farming is hands-on outdoor work that blends nursery-style care (planting, weed control, shaping) with a tight harvest window (grading, netting/baling, and loading). This page explains what employers usually expect from this role category in the United States. CV is required for review.

CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.

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Sector: Agriculture (H-2A context) Work type: Seasonal Typical peak: Late fall to early winter (varies) Last updated: January 1, 2026

Compensation snapshot (gross)

Gross hourly pay for seasonal agriculture in the H-2A context is typically anchored to the applicable wage floor for the state and occupation (AEWR-based baseline). Actual offers vary by location, employer, and whether pay is hourly or piece-rate.

Reference spread (FY 2025 AEWR): $14.83–$22.23 per hour (gross), depending on jurisdiction.

Examples: AR/LA/MS $14.83; CA $19.97; HI $20.08; DC $22.23 (gross).

Contract basics (typical):

full-time seasonal job order (often ≥35 hours/week baseline), variable hours in peak weeks, weather-dependent operations, and documented work records.

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What the work looks like (real duties)

Planting seedlings, maintaining planting rows, and preparing beds/blocks.
Shearing/pruning tops and limb tips to improve density and shape (as directed).
Harvest preparation: selecting by markings/size/grade; staging and protecting product quality.
Drag/move cut trees to the baler; net/bale, stack, and load for transport.
General farm labor: brush removal, field cleanup, basic tool use, and work-area organization.

Note: Some sites include wreath/roping work from cut greenery and nursery-style handling (tying/wrapping, inventory, grading).

Role context (why crews scale up fast): Christmas tree operations compress a full year of care into a short selling season. When harvest starts, speed and careful handling matter: trees are graded, shaped, netted/baled, and moved to loading points quickly to protect quality and meet delivery windows.

Candidate portrait (quick fit check)

You are likely a strong fit if you prefer practical outdoor work, keep a steady pace for repetitive tasks, and take safety rules seriously—especially around tools, loading zones, and slippery/uneven ground.

Work style: consistent attendance, team coordination, and task focus.
Physical readiness: lifting, carrying, walking on slopes, and cold-weather stamina.
Quality mindset: careful handling to avoid damaging branches and tips.
Communication: follows instructions; basic English helps in mixed teams.

Minimum requirements (detailed)

CV in English (required for review) and reachable contact details.
Availability for seasonal schedules and start dates (employer-defined).
Outdoor work readiness: sustained standing/walking; lifting and carrying; repetitive motions.
Safety compliance: ability to follow site rules, PPE requirements, and tool protocols.
Reliability: punctuality and consistent attendance are evaluated heavily in seasonal agriculture.
Role-dependent skills: basic hand tools; optional machinery/vehicle tasks only if assigned and permitted.

Important: exact requirements can differ by state, employer, and job order. Some duties may be restricted to trained personnel.

Work conditions in the United States (seasonal agriculture, H-2A context)

Seasonal agriculture work is operationally strict: production targets, weather-driven days, and documentation of hours and pay. Many job orders emphasize housing arrangements, transportation rules, and guaranteed minimum work opportunity across the contract period (terms are employer-specific).

Typical conditions you should expect

Variable hours: steady base weeks with spikes during harvest and shipping windows.
Outdoor exposure: cold, wet, wind, mud, and uneven terrain; work continues unless conditions become unsafe.
Physical handling: dragging, stacking, lifting, and repetitive hand work; careful product handling is monitored.
Tool zones: only trained/authorized workers use cutting tools; everyone follows perimeter and loading safety rules.
Recordkeeping: time tracking, piece-rate logs (if applicable), and payroll clarity matter in seasonal programs.

Common program-style elements (employer/job-order based)

Gross pay baseline: offers are commonly aligned to the applicable wage floor for state/occupation (AEWR-based baseline; can be higher).
Housing: often provided for the contract period in many H-2A-style job orders (arrangements vary by employer).
Meals: may be provided, or kitchen facilities are made available (job-order dependent).
Transportation: job orders commonly describe transportation rules/reimbursements tied to contract milestones (employer-defined).
Work opportunity guarantee: many seasonal job orders include a minimum work opportunity across the contract period (terms are defined in the job order).

Practical tip: on Christmas tree farms, “fast but careful” beats “fast and rough.” Damaged branches reduce grade, which can affect workflow and performance evaluation.

Selection & onboarding (how it usually works)

CV review: role fit and seasonal availability check (CV is mandatory).
Shortlisting: basic screening on physical readiness, reliability, and work history.
Employer match: confirmation of location, dates, and job-order terms.
Documentation stage: employer-specific forms and compliance steps (process varies).
Arrival & site briefing: safety orientation, task assignment, and housing/worksite rules.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this job only about cutting trees?

No. Cutting may be limited to trained workers. Many roles focus on preparation, handling, netting/baling, stacking, loading, field cleanup, and quality checks.

What is a realistic gross pay range?

For seasonal agriculture in an H-2A context, gross hourly pay is typically anchored to the applicable wage floor for the state and occupation (AEWR-based baseline). A practical planning reference is a state-dependent spread similar to the FY 2025 AEWR range of $14.83–$22.23 per hour (gross). Actual offers can be higher.

Do I need experience on farms?

Experience helps, but it is not always required. Employers often prioritize reliability, safe work habits, and the ability to maintain pace in outdoor conditions. If tool work is assigned, training and strict safety compliance are expected.

What should my CV emphasize?

Highlight outdoor/physical work, warehouse/loading experience, tool familiarity (only if true), attendance reliability, and any seasonal roles. Keep dates clear and include reachable contact details.

What are the most common reasons candidates are rejected?

Missing CV, unclear availability, inconsistent work history without explanation, and signals of low reliability for early mornings, variable hours, or cold/wet outdoor work.

Reminder: This page is a role-category overview. Final terms are defined by the hiring employer’s job order and worksite rules.

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Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility, and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.