Christmas is getting closer - and so is the Christmas tree season.
The breeders expect that because of the pandemic, a particularly large number of people will buy a tree this year.
And there is good news for buyers.
Oberweilbach
- Stefan Spennesberger has already chosen his own tree: A Nordmann fir, large, wide and bushy, will be in the family's living room on Christmas Eve.
The choice he had was huge: Spennesberger is a Christmas tree grower and runs the Tannenhof in Oberweilbach (Dachau district).
Now the crucial phase in the Christmas tree business begins for him.
This year he is particularly tense because of the corona pandemic.
“It's hard for us to say how it's going to go,” he says.
"The first weekend in Advent will be trend-setting." Of course, the cancellation of the Christmas markets had a negative effect.
Nevertheless, he is confident: “More people will probably stay at home this Christmas and make themselves comfortable there,” the 47-year-old suspects.
Perhaps some of the people who normally go on a skiing holiday or visit relatives would buy their own tree this year.
Maybe one or the other single household will put up a tree
Thomas Emslander, Chairman of the Association of Bavarian Christmas Tree Growers
Thomas Emslander, chairman of the Bavarian Christmas Tree Growers Association, is also hoping for this: “Perhaps one or the other single household will set up a tree,” he says.
The growers are satisfied if they can keep the sales of the last few years.
This is particularly important for many companies because hygiene regulations mean that they have to double the living space for seasonal workers.
That didn't apply to Stefan Spennesberger.
“We have always placed great value on good accommodation for our workers,” he emphasizes.
Nevertheless, he also had to invest money in the creation of hygiene concepts and the purchase of accessories such as disinfectant dispensers.
The 47-year-old sells his Christmas trees on his farm and also has crops where customers can cut their own trees.
There will be both despite Corona.
"We have increased the sales area and the cultures are huge anyway," he explains.
“Safe shopping is therefore not a problem.” Hygiene is also paid particular attention to at its 30 sales stands.
It is compulsory to wear a mask.
Official season opening on November 26th
The Bavarian Christmas tree season will officially open on November 26th.
The breeders are ready.
In the spring, some had problems with the growth of the young plants and with late frost, reports Thomas Emslander.
The quality of the trees is okay - "not to say very good".
Stefan Spennesberger is also very satisfied: “The weather was good,” he reports.
"The quality couldn't be better."
And there is good news for buyers.
According to the Association of Bavarian Christmas Tree Growers, the price will remain the same this year at 18 to 24 euros per meter of Nordmann fir.
There is also no price increase in Tannenhof Oberweilbach.
"People have already had so many cuts this year," says Spennesberger.
The Christmas tree should give a little pleasure.
The anticipation for Christmas could already be felt when setting up his stands, he says.
“A lot of people were happy about it and the children laughed.” There is still a lot of work to do for Stefan Spennesberger and his employees.
The Spennesberger family is all the more looking forward to sitting under the Christmas tree together at Christmas.
with Annika Säuberlich (lby)