The winter holiday season has already begun. That’s why many Ukrainians buy New Year trees for their homes. However, you should only buy live New Year trees at official fairs.
How to check that the fair is official
Ukrainians are urged to buy Christmas trees only at official fairs, which can be recognized by the following signs:
- All Christmas trees, pines and firs must be microchipped or labeled. The chip or individual barcode number contains all the information about the tree
- The fair area must be fenced
- the location must contain information about the business entity carrying out the sale and the operating mode
- there should be a ruler to measure the size of the New Year tree and the cost per linear meter should be made public
All legally cut down Christmas trees can be checked on the website via this link.
It is important that administrative and criminal liability is provided for illegal cutting, transportation and sale of illegal Christmas trees.
“Be responsible, and if you find illegal sales of New Year trees, report to 102,” the message says.
Why you can’t cut down your own Christmas tree
Illegal felling of Christmas trees in forests or on the territory of natural reserves is punishable by a fine, which depends on the location and size of the tree. Therefore, violators who cut down a coniferous tree will have to pay:
- in forests – from 599 to 2,709 UAH
- within the city and other settlements – from 1152 to 1852 UAH
- within the territories and objects of the natural reserve fund – from 908 to 4,132 UAH.
You can buy a Christmas tree or pine tree in a pot from arborists, and also get qualified advice on how to replant and care for the tree after the holidays.
New Year trees are specially crowned so that the branches are thick and the needles are lush.
By purchasing a tree officially, you pay taxes, which form the budget of your community and the entire country.
Source: RBC-Ukraine
