Forestry owners likely to net €15m through sales of Christmas trees

FORESTRY owners are likely to net €15m through sales of Christmas trees in what is traditionally one of their best annual periods of sale, according to an industry expert.

Dermot Page, chairman of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, said that the harvesting of 700,000 Christmas trees for the domestic and export market is well under way around the country, with up to 100 growers in the middle of the busiest time of the year for them in the run-up to December.

However, Mr Page also said that the lack of suitable soil in the export markets has created an opening for quality Irish Christmas trees. He also warns forestry owners against the seasonal threat of theft.