Christmas tree prices stay steady

Christmas trees have gone on sale across Prague. Most merchants offer trees directly on squares or busy streets. According to the number of permits for public spaces, there are several dozen places to choose from. Trees can also be bought online and in front of many supermarkets.

According to the Association of Christmas Tree Growers, prices for Czech trees have not changed significantly from last year. For example, the most popular Caucasian fir trees come out to Kč 550 to Kč 900, blue spruce from Kč 400 to Kč 600, and black pine from Kč 400 to Kč 500, based on trees from 150 to 200 centimeters.

Prices vary across the country but in Prague, people can expect to pay at the higher end of the scale.

The city center has several locations to buy trees. In Prague 1 they are at náměstí Republiky and at Národní třída in front of Tesco. Prague 2 has vendors at Palackého náměstí and Tylovo náměstí. These spots are all near trams and metro stops.

Most of the holiday markets sell ornaments but do not have trees. An exception is the market at náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad in Prague 3. Other locations in Prague 3 are at Olšanské náměstí and Nákladové nádraží Žižkov.

One of the main locations in Prague 6 is Vítězné náměstí. The largest selection in Prague 9 is on Sokolovská Street at TJ Praga next to the Pragovka restaurant, while a main locations in the southwestern part of the city is at Sofijské náměstí.

Trees can also be ordered online. The gardeing e-shop Zafido at the website stromkyonline.cz offers five varieties of trees in several sizes. Prices are similar to street vendors, but with an added delivery fee. Customers can choose from photographs.

Trees produced in the Czech Republic come from farms that grow them specifically for the holidays. They are not cut from public forests. The trees spend two to four years in a nursey before being transplanted. A 180 cm tree can be anywhere from 7 to 15 years old, depending on the species.

The Association of Christmas Tree Growers points out that natural trees are a renewable resource that creates oxygen and provides shelter for wildlife.

While there are no statistics for the Czech Republic, in Germany only 5 percent of trees are artificial.

It is important to water freshly cut trees to keep them from drying out, and trees can absorb up to five liters of water per day.

After Christmas, trees should be taken to collection points or composted. They can also be cut into firewood if people have a rural cottage or a functioning wood-burning stove.

A project from municipal forestry company Lesy hl.m. Prahy to sell living Christmas trees in flower pots sold out in two weeks, and they are no longer available.

Some 400 fir trees were sold that can be replanted either in a garden or forest in the spring.

The Prague Zoo also collects unsold trees or clean, tinsel-free trees at the end of the year, as some animals consider them a treat. More information on that will be available closer to the event.