Christmas tree markets will open in the Vitebsk region from December 20: how to choose a New Year tree

A decorated Christmas tree is an indispensable attribute of Christmas and New Year. Along with the forest beauty, good mood, fun, and anticipation of a miracle come into the house. And how much joy it brings to children! The long-awaited holidays are just around the corner. The regional center has begun its transformation with the installation of the main city tree on Victory Square, the metal frame of which has been "adorned" with forest beauties from the Surazh forestry.

As reported by Oleg Gritskevich, leading engineer for auxiliary forest use of Vitebsk State Forestry Enterprise, Christmas tree markets will open in the region on December 20. 192 locations have been designated for this purpose. As always, trade will unfold in the squares of cities and district centers; in Vitebsk, it will expand to the Bilevo microdistrict. A total of about 40 thousand trees are planned for sale. Depending on the height, such a purchase will cost the buyer an average of 60 to 80 thousand rubles. By the way, Oleg Vladimirovich did not confirm the information that prices in different cities of our republic vary significantly, with the lowest prices in Mogilev and the highest in Vitebsk. According to him, there may be differences in different regions, but they are insignificant. Forest beauties are well-exported, particularly to Russia. Vitebsk State Forestry Enterprise has already earned $4,000 from this "Christmas rush".

Decorative pines and firs grown in tubs are in demand. This practice is used in some forestry enterprises. In particular, the Glubokoye nursery actively supplies this product to St. Petersburg. These plants are also gaining increasing popularity among the residents of the Vitebsk region.

However, private individuals with poaching intentions should not venture into the forest. The holidays can be seriously marred, as the fine for a felled tree ranges from 5 to 50 basic units. And for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities, these amounts increase significantly.

It should be noted that recently Belarusians have increasingly preferred artificial Christmas trees, which undoubtedly contributes to the conservation of natural resources. After all, a coniferous tree grows for several years before it gets to the holiday. Unfortunately, in a week or two, it ends up in a landfill…

Artificial Christmas trees are widely available in stores, in various sizes and types. There are also plenty of offers online, for every taste. There are even upside-down trees that attach to the ceiling, wall-mounted, and corner trees. Moreover, artificial trees have several advantages: they can be used for many years, folded and stored in packaging, there's no need to fear getting pricked by needles, and no need to sweep up fallen needles after the holidays. You can decorate the tree yourself, or you can buy a pre-decorated one with ornaments and garlands, with built-in LEDs and LED tinsel. However, this is not the cheapest pleasure. But there is also a choice – from 60-250 thousand rubles to 13 million and more. And if your budget allows, then you shouldn't give up on such an idea. At the same time, you will save a tree, even more than one. And if you count how many trees of various ages are cut down for holidays for kindergartens, schools, and other institutions, then several more plantations will be added to the 40,000 offered to the population. And this happens every year. And these are our forests, the adornment of the earth, oxygen, and health.

Nadezhda Fondarenko, "Vitebskiye Vesti"