Norwegian Christmas trees.  I read an interesting story on the Norway Post website about norske juletrær.  Every year Norway exports Christmas trees to other countries in Europe, such as Germany, Britain, Switzerland, and Austria.  Just three years ago, Norway was exporting 2,400 juletrær to Europe, but over the past several years the number has grown significantly.  Around 140,000 norske juletrær are expected to be transported this year.  Austria is the top importer this year.

The Norwegian Agriculture Ministry has proclaimed that Norway will be the leading seller of juletrær on the European market.  Lars Peder Brekk, Minister of Agriculture and Food, explains that Norwegian juletre production is already even more valuable than Norwegian fruit production.  The juletre industry is very profitable and is a great opportunity for Norwegian agriculture and rural Norway.  Norsk Pyntegrønt, the industry organization, predicts a 50% planting increase annually.  They also predict that Norway could sell 2 or 3 million more trees than are sold currently.

There are many alleged origins of the juletre, but in Germany and Scandinavia in the Middle Ages, families would put an evergreen tree up inside their homes or right outside of ther doors to show their hope for the coming spring. 

Juletrær are evergreen coniferous trees and come in many varities, such as Silver Fir, Scots Pine, Norway Spruce, Swiss Pine, Nordmenn Fir, Guatamalan Fir, Noble Fir, etc.  While you might think the Norway Spruce grows exclusively in Norway, it is found from Norway and all over Europe. 

Norwegians pynter (decorate) the juletre with ornaments just as many other countries do.  Many people go in their backyard and cut one down. 

Har du et juletre ennå?  Do you have a Christmas tree yet?