The Christmas tree is an important holiday tradition for many families at this time of year. They are seen in malls, at places of worship, and in our homes. It’s a Christmas tree that we send to Boston as a way of saying thanks to people in Massachusetts for their help in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion.
Looking at the family Christmas tree, few people probably stop to think beyond the lights and ornaments to the number of people involved in Nova Scotia’s tree industry. There are farmers, harvesters, people involved in transportation, and tree lot operators. There’s also research being done at places like the Nova Scotia Agricultural College to help develop trees that last better and have needles that stay on the tree longer.
The roughly 1,200 Nova Scotian families involved in growing Christmas trees export trees around the world as far away as Japan and the Middle East.
Exporting of Christmas trees from Nova Scotia began back around 1922 and grew from there. By the late 1950s the Christmas tree industry was delivering more than 3.8 million trees. While the number of trees cut each year has declined since the peak in the 1950s, Nova Scotia still grows the second highest number of Christmas Trees of all provinces in Canada with roughly 3,500 producers and exporters, and a $30 million crop.
Recently, the NDP government cut the dedicated Christmas tree experts that support the industry. Nonetheless, those in the industry and the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia continue to work hard to make sure each year you have a better Christmas tree, and that the industry can continue to support many important jobs across the province.
As you enjoy time around the Christmas tree this season, take a moment to think about the years of careful work that it has taken to get your Christmas Tree from a seedling to a place in your living room.
My office will be available throughout the holidays should you need assistance. Please feel free to e-mail me at info@andrewyounger.ca or call at 406-4420.
