Christmas trees: frost, drought, higher costs: fir trees are becoming more expensive

Frost and drought are troubled by the prospective Christmas trees. If precipitation was missing, young plants that have not yet had a pronounced root system suffered, Lars Zimmermann from the Federal Association of the Christmas Tree and Cutting Greens said. There were also frost damage in some regions. “But there are enough trees in good quality.” In many places, consumers have to pay a little more for their Christmas tree this year.

Christmas trees a little more expensive this year

The association raised its price recommendation by one euro, explained Zimmermann. The range is now at 23 to 30 euros per meter of Nordmann fir. The increase is less due to the weather, but rather due to the general increase in costs of the producers – for example for personnel and logistics. Experience has shown that the prices fluctuated regionally. As a rule, Christmas trees in large cities are more expensive than in the country.

The Christmas trees are usually bought as seedlings and then have been behind the first few years. In the plantations, they are cared for for another ten years until they have grown into trees about two meters high. The most popular Christmas tree has been the Nordmann fir for years, but also blue spots or exotic ones like Colorado firs adorn apartments, offices and shops during Christmas.

Producers report frost and drought damage

Companies in Bavaria and Brandenburg have reported damage caused by drought and frost. Even ready -to -sell trees had already suffered that younger people had been thrown back in their development by a year or two, it said. The owner of the Krämerwaldhof in Brandenburg, Vincent Köhler, spoke of failures of up to 40 percent in young trees.

“We are exposed to the weather,” emphasized Zimmermann, referring to his industry. In order to reduce such damage, he was over in his company in Rhineland-Palatinate to plant the young trees in the damp autumn instead of spring. Some companies would also have created water ponds in order to be able to irrigate their trees in dryness.

Harvest begins in November

According to Zimmermann, around 600 companies are organized in the Federal Association itself, and the acreage estimates at 20,000 to 30,000 hectares. The largest growing region is the Sauerland, but also in other parts of Germany, Christmas trees thrive. The trees that are sold in Germany mostly came from local cultivation, the expert said. Some would also be imported from abroad, for example from Denmark and Poland.

The Christmas trees currently have a grace period. The harvest begins in large companies around November 20, which supply hardware stores, also a little earlier, explained Zimmermann. That will take until shortly before Christmas. However, it is becoming increasingly popular to beat the tree directly on site itself. Mulled wine and a snack bar are often offered to this. In addition, there is a trend not to bring the tree into the house and decorate the tree at Christmas, but already at the beginning of the Advent season.