The Christmas pine or Christmas tree you buy for your home must have a tag with a code that is verified on the website of the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
Officials explained that foresters grow and harvest Christmas trees on special plantations and during forest maintenance felling. The range of forestry enterprises also includes potted trees.
Where can I legally buy a Christmas tree in Ukraine?
A list of all locations and their contacts can be found on the Facebook page and website of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”.
How do I know if a Christmas tree is cut down legally?
All legally harvested trees have special tags with a barcode. They contain encrypted information about the place of harvesting, the logger and his subordination.
To check, you need to go to the website of the State Forestry Agency and enter the tag number of your Christmas tree or pine in the section “Checking Christmas trees”.
If the purchased tree is illegal, you will see a message like this:
Screenshot from open.ukrforest.com.
"The presence of marking guarantees that the tree was grown without harming nature, and the funds from its sale replenish the community's budget," the Ministry of Environment assured.
How much does a Christmas tree cost in 2024?
Officials assured that Christmas trees can be purchased both directly from forestry companies and at the trading platforms of forestry companies at lower prices than in the markets. Prices, like last year, start at UAH 135 for a tree 1 m high (the price depends on the region).
What punishment awaits those who cut down the Christmas tree themselves?
The Ministry of Environment reminded that illegal cutting of New Year trees is subject to administrative and criminal liability. During the season of New Year's holidays, the amount of the fine for illegal felling of conifers increases 3 times: administrative to UAH 510-5100, criminal – to UAH 17000-25500.
Recently, EcoPolitic published 10 best photos of Ukrainian nature in the photo contest “Wiki Loves the Earth 2024”.
