The price increases don't stop at Christmas trees either. For the first time in ten years, the popular Nordmann fir from Bavaria has become more expensive.
Ergolding (dpa/lby) - For the first time in ten years, Christmas trees in Bavaria are becoming more expensive this year. The prices would probably have to be increased by two euros per meter, says the chairman of the Association of Bavarian Christmas tree growers, Thomas Emslander, based in Lower Bavarian Ergolding (Landshut district). Reason are the increased diesel costs and the increase in the minimum wage on October 1st.
In previous years, a meter of Nordmann fir from the Free State cost 18 to 25 euros. If you want to buy a tree again, you have to reckon with at least 20 euros per meter.
Christmas is still a good six months away. In order for the firs in the approximately 400 companies in the Free State to grow into the desired picture book trees, the entire year counts.
Emslander's interim balance is good. The new plants grew relatively well in the spring. And: "Thank God we didn't have a late frost in mid-May. That's our biggest opponent." The pine aphids that twist the fresh needles did not cause any unusually large damage either.
The Christmas trees are growing now. The currently often rainy weather in Bavaria is ideal for this, says Emslander. However, the large amount of water also causes plenty of weeds that have to be removed. Otherwise it could take nutrients away from the trees and put pressure on young plants.
However, the fir trees that are coming into the living room this year are no longer so easily contested for their place on the Christmas tree cultures. At the age of six to ten, they already measure over two meters.
For the perfect shape, they are trimmed again and again. "Of course we're messing around with God a bit," says Emslander. The customers wanted narrow and dense trees. "And nature doesn't always do that."
