If you want fresh pine, look for Hungarian-produced pine!

(Photo: Pixabay)

Drought and pests have not made it easier for farmers involved in domestic pine tree production this year, but there is no need to fear a shortage this year. Domestic producers are waiting for customers with an abundant supply. According to the joint overview of the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) and the Hungarian Association of Ornamental Gardeners, pine trees are grown on about three thousand hectares in our country, mainly in Vas, Zala, Somogy counties, but many people are also engaged in this activity in the Northern Central Mountains – around the Mátra and Bükk – as well as in the counties of Nógrád and Heves. In the weeks before Christmas, 1.8-2 million pine trees are planted annually, and a significant part of this quantity, almost 70 percent, is now Nordmann pine. In the past decade, this pine species has become the most popular in our country, surpassing the long-lasting spruce and the silver pine, which delights with its bluish needles.

While Nordmann firs were previously imported to our country, foreign conifers now only come to the country as an expansion of the range

For the holidays, we should prefer cut fir over “ground ball” fir, as high-quality pine that remains even after planting requires special training. If we decide on a ground ball pine tree, we should only purchase the plant from an official ornamental tree nursery. Whatever variety we choose, the most important thing is to buy the fir tree, which is considered the centerpiece of the Christmas holiday, from a reliable place, preferably from a producer. Producers appear in almost every settlement in the country every year with their offerings. Fir fairs typically start in early December and last until Christmas Eve. After purchasing, it is worth keeping the tree in a cool place – on a terrace, balcony, garage or basement – ​​but it is not necessary to put it in water, since the cut tree no longer absorbs water at this time.

Contrary to popular belief, the pine trees on the market are not the result of “deforestation” but are grown on purpose-built plantations

The claim that those who choose artificial pine trees are making an environmentally conscious decision is also unfounded. While pine trees grown for Christmas trees produce oxygen, the production and destruction of artificial pine trees causes a serious environmental burden. Most artificial pine trees come from China, so their ecological footprint is extremely large. Moreover, according to experience, customers discard them after 5-6 years, while an artificial pine tree should be used year after year for at least 20 years to be a truly environmentally friendly alternative. Finally, think about it, it’s like greeting someone with artificial flowers or putting artificial flowers on the holiday table. Don’t do it.

NAK