Christmas tree disaster: Heat and frost threaten Brandenburg's plantations!

Christmas tree disaster: Heat and frost threaten Brandenburg's plantations!

It is August 15, 2025 and the Christmas tree growers in Brandenburg are anything but in a festive mood. Agricultural farmers are struggling with the consequences of extreme weather conditions that have affected Christmas tree cultivation. The owner of the Krämerwaldhof in the Oberhavel district, Vincent Köhler, describes the situation as a “pure catastrophe”. Prolonged heat, frosty nights into early summer and unexpected heavy rains put enormous strain on the delicate plants. RBB24 reports a dry period between the end of March and the end of June, which particularly affected the new plantings.

The irrigation system that is active in many farms cannot completely prevent the damage. It can only be used on young trees and is not possible permanently. This is why failures of up to 40 percent are now the norm. Severe late frost in May and June also froze back some young shoots, further exacerbating the situation. After six weeks of continuous rain, nutrients were washed out of the soil, making additional fertilization necessary, the prices of which rose again. Köhler confirms that the trees can survive some hot summer days - they are currently standing in the fields at a summery 35 degrees.

An expensive harvest lies ahead

In addition to the capricious weather, Christmas tree growers also cannot avoid taking into account the increased prices for fertilizer. The Krämerwaldhof grows classic Nordmann firs on around five hectares, which take around six to seven years to harvest. Last year, a meter of Christmas tree from the farm cost around 23.50 euros. Prices have not yet been set for this year, but an increase seems inevitable. Farmers are hedging these uncertainties by turning to increasingly heat-resistant species such as Douglas fir. RBB24 calls this a necessary step in order to continue to survive in the Christmas tree business.

Especially at a time when more and more people are selling the holidays undercover with an army of electricity, it is of great importance to be able to offer highly developed products. Farmers now have to ask themselves: How do we deal with the coming winter?

Films and stories in difficult times

To get through the stressful days and nights, people end up losing themselves in their favorite programs. The new series “Landman” will be released soon and will premiere on Paramount+ on November 17, 2024. The series is described as a modern-day saga set in West Texas and revolves around various characters from the oil industry. The cast includes names like Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Hamm, who are sure to captivate viewers. The story, inspired by the podcast “Boomtown,” highlights the challenges and tensions within this industry.

Whether the Christmas tree growers or the people in the oil industry – everyone has to face the challenges of the times. Christmas is not only brightened by the festive lights, but also by the stories that accompany people through all the ups and downs.