“Every day is Christmas,” Kavan said.
Kavan is starting up a Christmas tree farm in Lino Lakes, which means there will be another option in the North Metro for getting a tree.
The footprint of his land is approximately 40 acres – 20 of those is used to grow trees. In November and December of 2024, those trees will be ready for people to buy.
“I found this property and was fortunate to buy it at a reasonable price,” Kavan said. “You can’t build on it due to zoning requirements.”
A few years ago Kavan was in the investment business, but then made a career pivot into Christmas trees.
“Started as kind of a hobby,” Kavan said. “Something to do with the kids.”
From there he got into growing and eventually selling trees.
“I somehow stumbled upon Christmas trees,” Kavan said.
Most of Kavan’s inventory consists of Fraser firs, Balsams, assorted spruces and other trees.
“It was a big transition for me and the family,” Kavan said. “It kind of was happenstance…Here I am five years later. I’ve planted probably about 30,000 trees. Lot of learning. There’s been three years of drought and I’m new to the industry. I probably have about 14, 15,000 trees that have made it through.”
“Eight years to grow a tree”
It’s all hands on deck at Kavan’s farm, as the entire family is involved. To succeed in the Christmas tree business you need patience and you need to be willing to put in plenty of sweat equity.
“In general it takes eight years to grow a tree,” Kavan said. “You’re planting it when that tree is already five years old and about a foot tall. There’s nurseries that grow that tree to that level. Then you’re fertilizing that tree, you’re mulching that tree, in a drought you’re watering that tree every week, every other week. You’re doing the weeds. It’s actually a lot of work. It’s surprising how much goes into it. But it will be rewarding to see people having those memories and making them at my farm.”
Kavan likes knowing that he will soon be making people smile as they get a Christmas tree from his farm to celebrate the holidays.
“You’re making family memories for people,” Kavan said. “It’s a cheerful time for sure… It’s great to have a job – if you call it that – that gives back to the community, that brings joy to people. I love the outdoors. It’s great to be outdoors. Never a bad day outdoors.”
Getting into tree farming means Kavan has had to buy certain things to make his new business successful.
“I just purchased a 1942 Farmall H tractor,” Kavan said. ” Nice antique that will be a great place for people to take their family photos when they are out at the farm.”
Kavan is going to donate 5 percent of his profits to Centennial schools and the Centennial food shelf. There are approximately 100 Christmas tree farms in Minnesota.
