25/11/2003
Forest Service cut down on direct sales of Christmas trees
Declining seasonal sales of trees at local forests has led to a change in arrangements by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) for sales of this year's Christmas trees.
Since the early 1990's, traditional Christmas trees have seen a significant decline in sales at forests, with over 8,000 trees sold in 1991 compared to 2,400 in 2002.
Forest Service, an agency of the DARD, blamed the sale of Christmas trees from retailers and supermarkets for the decline.
A spokesperson said: "The Forest Service intends to supply most of its regular size Christmas trees for the domestic market to wholesalers and retailers.
"This approach is being taken to match a clear trend in customer preference for buying real Christmas trees through local shops and supermarkets. Unfortunately there will be no Christmas trees for sale at places such as Belvoir Park Forest."
The Forest Service said that while it would be continuing to harvest and sell Christmas trees this year, due to changes in consumer needs more trees would be supplied to retailers and wholesalers.
However, trees will continue to be available directly to the public at forests where Christmas tree harvesting is taking place, the spokesperson added.
(MB)
Since the early 1990's, traditional Christmas trees have seen a significant decline in sales at forests, with over 8,000 trees sold in 1991 compared to 2,400 in 2002.
Forest Service, an agency of the DARD, blamed the sale of Christmas trees from retailers and supermarkets for the decline.
A spokesperson said: "The Forest Service intends to supply most of its regular size Christmas trees for the domestic market to wholesalers and retailers.
"This approach is being taken to match a clear trend in customer preference for buying real Christmas trees through local shops and supermarkets. Unfortunately there will be no Christmas trees for sale at places such as Belvoir Park Forest."
The Forest Service said that while it would be continuing to harvest and sell Christmas trees this year, due to changes in consumer needs more trees would be supplied to retailers and wholesalers.
However, trees will continue to be available directly to the public at forests where Christmas tree harvesting is taking place, the spokesperson added.
(MB)
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