Mauern (dpa/lby) - Christmas trees from Bavaria cost only slightly more this year than last year. The meter of Nordmann fir is between 20 and 25 euros, said the Ministry of Forestry on Monday at the opening of the Bavarian Christmas tree season in Mauer (district of Freising). The Nordmann fir has been by far the most popular tree for years, followed by the blue spruce. According to the Association of Bavarian Christmas Tree Growers, this is significantly cheaper - a tree that is almost two meters tall costs 19 euros to 25 euros. The lack of water in summer had affected many young Christmas trees, especially in Franconia - according to the association, the older trees had survived the drought largely unscathed.
According to the Ministry of Forestry, around four million Christmas trees are sold in Bavaria every year, most of which come from specially cultivated trees. They were easily identified by a gold and red banderole with the inscription "Bayerischer Christbaum" from the Association of Bavarian Christmas Tree Growers. There are also trees with the "Tested Quality - Bavaria" seal. Their Bavarian origin is state-certified. In addition, they should not be beaten until November 10th at the earliest. A treatment with pesticides is prohibited in the three years before.
"Trees that come from the region do not have long transport routes behind them. They are freshly cut and also have top quality," said Forest Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) according to the announcement. About 80 percent of the Christmas trees sold in Bavaria also come from Bavaria.
Every year around 27 million Christmas trees are sold in Germany with a turnover of between 500 million and 550 million euros. Around 90 percent came from agricultural and forestry family businesses.
