GOOD REASONS FOR BEING A MEMBER OF ICTG

During the 1980s, increasing quantities of non-shed Christmas trees (Nordmann and Noble Fir), some of them imported, that had been specially grown on Christmas tree farms were coming on the Irish market. The introduction of the non-shed Christmas tree to the Irish market was really an expansion of what was already happening elsewhere on the continent of Europe.

The non-shed nature of the Noble and Nordmann Fir and the fact that these were

“rooted” trees, rather than the “tops” of Norway Spruce trees that had been thinned from commercial timber plantations, made them high quality Christmas trees. As a result, they were able to command very high prices on the domestic or foreign markets.

Increasing numbers of these non-shed trees, mainly Noble Fir but also some Nordmann Fir, were being planted by Coillte and a number of private growers. However, it became apparent quickly that the production of high quality Noble Fir Christmas trees was a very specialised and technically difficult exercise. There was no tradition of this type of operation in Ireland and we had a lot to learn if we were to compete successfully against the increasing volumes of imported trees, or to compete on the continental markets. Markets that were potentially many times the size of our domestic markets were open to us in the UK and on the continent if we could produce Christmas trees of the required quality.

We were very fortunate that most of the “bigger” growers, Coillte, Irish Forestry Enterprises and Emerald, had joined the new organisation and gave it their full support. They made their plantations available for field days and shared their technical knowledge on shearing, herbicide application, etc., with other growers. This was especially valuable to those who were growing christmas trees for the first time.

Most people will agree that the issues that were important when the ICTG was founded are still important today. We have made much progress but the need to keep up with changes within the sector is crucial. We need to be constantly updated on EU regulations as well as changing techniques.

Field Days remain an essential training platform for all growers and these are organised at regular intervals by the ICTG.

We are entering into a period where excellence in the production of Christmas trees will be a government expectation and growers will be accorded the quality mark for their product. A manual of best practice will be available in 2008.

The success of the industry is based on the ability to work together and it is of major benefit to every grower to be a member of the ICTG.

Visits to Europe and The US

The ICTG organizes visits to shows and plantations in Denmark and the U.S. every three to five years depending on demand from the growers. The visits are coordinated by the Hon Sec

The ICTG is the umbrella organization for the industry and represents the voice of growers at Government level and growers Shows in Ireland and the UK

Irish Christmas Tree Growers P.O.Box 8581 Glenageary Co Dublin Ireland

 YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH US BY PHONE ON +35312304973 OR EMAIL ictginfo@gmail.com

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