Environmentalists in Germany have urged consumers to buy organically grown Christmas trees.
Hans Lengdobler from the Regensburg branch of the non-government organisation BUND said: “We want to emphasise the importance of buying only organic Christmas trees that originate from local forestries.”
Hans said people should pay attention as they acquire their conifers for the festive period and ensure that the trees had not been exposed to pesticides or artificial fertilisers.
Hans said it was “unlikely” that the erection of a conventionally grown Christmas tree in the living room had a negative impact on people’s health.
However, the environmentalist underlined that pesticides “kill or harm bees and other insects.”
To offer consumers in the Free State of Bavaria some guidance, his organisation released a list of local businesses which offer organically grown conifers.
BUND also encouraged owners of woodland and vendors to focus on organic procedures.
Hans told the Regensburger Nachrichten newspaper: “We want to put an end to the usage of pesticides and long transportation routes that have a negative impact on the climate.”
He warned: “Pesticides are applied at most conventional Christmas tree plantations. Fertiliser residues can harm the groundwater.”
Almost 30 million Christmas trees were sold in Germany in 2019. This was an all-time record figure for the country, according to official statistics authorities.
Between 10 and 20 per cent of the conifers that are purchased ahead of the Christmas holidays each year are imports originating from Denmark, Ireland and other countries.
The Sauerland region in North-Rhine Westphalia and the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein are the most important areas for the cultivation of conifers destined to be sold before Christmas.
With a share of 75 per cent, the Nordmann fir is the most popular Christmas tree for German households.
German Christians traditionally celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th of December. While this date is not a public holiday, the following two days are.
