State forest, snowy and pretty, awaits Christmas tree cutters 04.12
Guided forest trip are being organised at 15 locations across Estonia through the end of December, with a brief programme on nature education preceding entry into the forest. There will be Christmas tree trips for businesses on 14, 15 and 16 December, and for private individuals from 17 to 23 December. Suitable locations for finding your Christmas tree have been pre-selected by RMK’s specialists, so that participants will be left with just the joy of paying, choosing the right tree, sawing and hauling it off.
All those who have also obtained a suitable Christmas tree from the state forest in the past or know of specific locations where a tree could be had may also bring a Christmas tree home on their own. For this, you have to make sure the location selected is within the state forest and there are no conservation constraints.
Prices on spruces 1-3 metres tall range from EEK 50 to EEK 200, and a Christmas tree may be paid for by bank transfer, using mobile payment or in cash at nature centres. As more than half the Christmas trees last year were paid for via mobile payment, this option has been expanded further this year – it can be used by both those bringing their Christmas trees home on their own and those participating in Christmas tree trips organised by RMK.
RMK would like to point out that no Christmas trees already cut down are on sale at nature centres or offices; thus, anyone coming on a Christmas tree tip has to have his/her own saw. Also, everyone is responsible for hauling off his/her Christmas tree.
Last year, RMK sold approximately 5000 Christmas trees from the State forest, and 2100 people participated in Christmas tree trips. “For many families and company staff, going on a Christmas tree trip together has become a nice tradition,” Marge Rammo, Head of RMK’s Nature Preservation Department, affirmed. “It is also a great pleasure to point out that no Christmas tree thefts were detected last year.”
In the State forest, Christmas trees may be cut down only where they stand no chance of growing big – on the edges of roads and ditches, under overhead power lines and in firebreaks. Harvesting Christmas trees from young-growth forests or forest plantations, planted by man or intended to supply trees in the future, is an unwarranted infringement on the interests of the forest owner, an offence punishable under law.
Further information and registration for Christmas tree trips is available at www.rmk.ee/kuuseke: for any issues that may come up, assistance is available on the Christmas tree hotline 676 7532 or by e-mailing kuuseke@rmk.ee.
RMK is a profit-making state agency established under the Forestry Act, aimed at sustainable and efficient management of the state forest. RMK grows reforestation materials, organises forestry works, is engaged in the sale of forest and timber and organises game upkeep. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for hiking in nature and forest recreation on recreational areas, in Estonia’s five national parks and 40 other protected areas, and shapes awareness of nature. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s forests.
Further information:
Toomas Väät
Silviculture Head Specialist, Forest Administration Department, RMK
Tel 676 7520, 520 5734
E-mail: toomas.vaat@rmk.ee
Marge Rammo
Head, Nature Preservation Department, RMK
Tel 676 7530, 513 7035
E-mail: marge.rammo@rmk.ee
www.rmk.ee
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