Land and Forest Iceland
Christmas trees from national forests
11th December 2024
Christmas tree sales are peaking in anticipation of the holiday season. The Jólakötturinn Christmas market will be held in Egilsstaðir this weekend, with Christmas tree sales in Vaglaskógur forest on Friday and Saturday. A subsequent Christmas fair in Haukadalsskógur forest, offering additional tree selection opportunities, will take place the following weekend. These events have proven to be popular and well-attended. Furthermore, recent weeks have witnessed significant activity in national forests, with considerable harvesting of both outdoor and domestic trees.
Mr. Jóhannes Sigurðsson, Assistant Forest Manager for South Iceland, reports that approximately 35 mature trees, ranging from three to twelve meters in height, have been harvested from South Iceland's national forests this year for public display. The recent merger of instituions resulting in the forming of the new Land and Forest Iceland facilitated the transport of these trees by Mr. Bjarni Arnþórsson of Gunnarsholt using a Land and Forest Iceland vehicle, eliminating the need for external contractors.
Approximately 800 household Christmas trees have been harvested from the National Forests in Þjórsárdalur, Haukadalur, and Mosfell, with the majority sold to Byko, the Kiwanis Club Keilir in Suðurnes, and the Hamar Sports Association in Hveragerði. Public access has been provided for recreational harvesting, culminating in a significant increase in visitors last weekend, coinciding with a Christmas buffet at Geysir. A similar employee event was held in Þjórsárdalur by the National Energy Authority. For those requiring a tree, Haukadalur National Forest will reopen next weekend from 11:00 to 16:00.
The National Forests of East Iceland will distribute approximately 500 Christmas trees this year, as confirmed by Regional Forest Manager Thor Thorfinnsson. Consistent with tradition, the Presidential residence at Bessastaðir will receive a subalpine fir from East Iceland. Similarly, Runavík in the Faroe Islands, Egilsstaðir's sister city, will receive a mature tree for public exhibition. The annual Jólakötturinn (Yule Cat) Christmas market will be held at the Landsnet House in Egilsstaðir on December 14th.
Wall-mounted Christmas trees are gaining popularity among East Iceland retailers.
Vaglaskógur National Forest, a twenty-minute drive east of Akureyri, will offer Christmas trees, boughs, and other forest products for sale on Friday and Saturday, December 13th and 14th. Rúnar Ísleifsson, Northern Forest Manager, anticipates delivering approximately 70-80 Christmas trees from northern forests this year. While forest farmers increasingly supply the market, additional Christmas trees from northern and eastern National Forests are projected to be available within a few years if demand requires. Although Christmas tree planting was temporarily suspended, recent years have seen a resurgence in activity to meet potential future demand.
