PHOTO: RNZ
From Christmas Trees to Sunflower Fields: Andrew McAllister’s Journey to Growing Holiday Magic
Andrew McAllister has turned his Swannanoa property into a festive haven with thousands of Christmas trees, a sunflower field, and a family-friendly maize maze. Here’s how he brings the holiday spirit to life on his farm.
Andrew McAllister loves his Christmas trees Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Growing Christmas Trees in Swannanoa
How many hectares of Christmas trees do you grow?
We’ve got 22 hectares of land, and nine of those are dedicated to Christmas trees.
What inspired you to start growing Christmas trees?
I spent time overseas in my 20s working on Christmas tree farms in Denmark and Scotland. The experience planted the seed—pun intended—for what I could do when I came back home. I saved up, bought a four-hectare block, and started planting as soon as I returned from my OE. By 2016, we had outgrown that property and moved to Swannanoa.
Is your land ideal for growing pinus radiata?
Yes, the free-draining soil is perfect. These trees don’t like “wet feet” because they can develop root rot. We also use fertiliser to keep the soil healthy, as planting and harvesting every year can take a toll on the land.
How Long Does It Take to Grow a Christmas Tree?
The seedlings are about a year old when we get them from a local nursery. They then grow on our property for two to four years for standard-sized trees and up to six or seven years for deluxe trees.
When do you plant the seedlings?
Tree planting happens in July and August. It’s an ongoing job with lots of maintenance. We shape each tree multiple times a year to ensure it’s just right for the holidays.
This tree was too big to cut by hand Photo: Supplied
Selling the Christmas Spirit
How many trees do you sell each year?
We sell between 3,000 and 4,000 trees annually. We make sure to retain enough trees for the following year to maintain sustainable stock levels.
Do people cut down their own trees?
About half of our customers do. It’s part of the experience for many families. They’ll tackle the job with a $10 saw, but for larger deluxe trees—some weighing up to 100kg—we step in with a chainsaw.
Another truck and trailer load of Christmas trees heads into Christchurch Photo: Supplied
Finding a Christmas tree is often a family affair Photo: Supplied
Expanding into Sunflowers and Maize
What inspired the sunflower and maize ventures?
We were looking for ways to diversify. Traditional farming, like lamb grazing and hay cutting, doesn’t stack up anymore. We decided to plant sunflowers and create a maize maze to offer something unique for the community while making better use of the land.
What happens to the sunflowers?
We’ll do pick-your-own blooms and sell sunflower heads. The rest will be mulched back into the ground, with the birds getting their share first!
What about the maize maze?
The maize is grown as a silage crop for a local dairy farmer, but before that, we turn it into a public maze. I’ve even gotten lost in it myself while creating the paths—it’s not going to be an easy cheat for kids!
The paddock of maize will be turned into a huge maze in early January Photo: Supplied
Photo: supplied
Bringing Families to the Farm
We aim to bring the city to the country. The maze and sunflower field are affordable attractions for families. There will be a small kiosk with cold drinks and ice creams, but the focus is on offering a simple, fun day out.
From growing festive trees to crafting sunflower fields and a challenging maze, Andrew McAllister’s farm is all about creating memorable experiences for the community.
SOURCE: RNZ