Drones and AI take over Christmas tree farms
As drones become cheaper and AI software improves, Christmas tree plantations worldwide are shifting from manual checks to digital monitoring systems that boost efficiency, accuracy and operational safety.
Across Christmas tree farms, drones and AI are beginning to replace manual counting and field inspections.
Growers in Denmark and North Carolina are now mapping plantations using AI-driven image analysis instead of relying on workers walking the fields for days.
Systems can recognise and measure each tree, give it a digital ID and track health and growth over time, helping farmers plan harvests and sales more accurately.
The technology is proving particularly valuable in large or difficult terrain. Some plantations in North Carolina sit on steep slopes where machinery and people face higher risks, so farmers are turning to laser-scanning drones and heavy-duty robotic mowers instead of traditional equipment.
Experts say the move saves time, improves safety and reduces labour needs, while accuracy rates can reach as high as 98 percent.
Adoption still depends on cost, aviation rules and staff training, so smaller farms may struggle to keep pace. Yet interest continues to rise as equipment becomes cheaper and growers grow more comfortable with digital tools.
Many industry specialists now see AI-enabled drones as everyday agricultural equipment rather than experimental gadgets.
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