Zug,18.12.2014
Christmas trees from the region now more popular
The demand for Christmas trees from Switzerland has increased this year. They have their price, however. It therefore pays to follow a few tips so that the tree will last longer.
Beda Schlumpf’s company is a hive of activity at the moment, as people start looking for their Christmas tree. The Zug company sells around 3,000 fir trees per year. Whether the popular Abies nordmanniana, the Nordmann fir, or the Abies alba, the white pine; his company grows 13 different varieties, each of which has its own unique features and benefits. "The environmentally friendly production of trees is most important to me," says the 42-year-old, whose family business in Steinhausen is now in the second generation.
Growing a Christmas tree is anything but simple. The Christmas tree that stands in the living room began its life as a 10 - 15 centimetre cutting. It takes up to eight years before it is ready for sale, and the trees are exposed to all the adversities of nature during this time. The sales arguments: "Because our trees are fresh, they last longer," says Schlumpf. In addition, the transport distance is short and therefore environmentally friendly. The added value also remains in Switzerland.
“Producers of Christmas trees like Beda Schlumpf have benefitted this year from a trend that has emerged in recent years," says Stefan Oberholzer from the Christmas Tree Interest Group. People are placing special emphasis this year on the origin of the trees. This can also be seen from the latest import figures for the year 2014: 596,000 trees were imported into Switzerland last year, about half of all the Christmas trees sold. The picture is slightly different this year. According to the Federal Customs Administration, about 10 percent fewer firs were imported in November, the strongest month for Christmas trees imports.
Swiss retailers have adapted to the change in customer behaviour. "Our customers pay more attention to the origin of Christmas trees. The aspect of sustainability is increasingly a selling point," says Coop media spokesman Urs Meier. Around 75% of the 80,000 firs sold by the Coop now originate from Switzerland. The remaining 25% are from Denmark and Germany. Nordmann firs are particularly popular, and account for 95% of all Christmas trees sold at the Coop.
Migros now sells 2/3 of their Christmas trees from Swiss production. All Swiss trees are purchased regionally and carry the label "From the region. For the region." "Our customers really appreciate the fact that the trees from their local area," says Migros spokeswoman Martina Bosshard.
A proud Swiss pine has its price, however: they cost around CHF 40.- per metre this year. But that can vary by + / - 20% depending on the type, size and quality of the fir.
To make sure the tree stays fresh longer, it’s recommended that you follow some tips.
- Leave your tree in its net after purchase, and store it in a cool place, preferably outdoors.
- Remove the net from the bottom up after setting it up. The tree won’t take long to develop its full splendour.
- Only give it water after it has been brought into the house.
- Important: the tree needs up to 1 litre of water per day at the start. The need for water only reduces after about three days.
With good care and enough water, a Swiss pine should stay fresh up to the Epiphany (6th January).
Standard prices for Christmas trees (in CHF per tree)
| Height | 1.1 – 1.5 m | 1.6 – 2 m | 2.1 – 2.5 m |
| Rottanne (Norway spruce) | 18.- to 22.- | 28.- to 35.- | 35.- to 40.- |
| Weisstanne (silver fir) | 30.- | 40.- to 50.- | 60.- to 70.- |
| Blautanne (blue spruce) | 30.- to 38.- | 45.- to 58.- | 62.- to 75.- |
| Nordmann fir and Korea fir | 40.- to 50.- | 60.- to 75.- | 80.- to 100.- |