Big jump in the cost of Xmas trees
Shortage in 2018 forced up prices
South Lanarkshire Council spent almost £17,000 more last winter to buy less Christmas trees than the previous year.
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed £38,435 was spent on 56 trees for the region’s towns and villages last winter.
That’s one less than the 57 bought for Christmas 2017 but for a cost 77 per cent higher.
A shortage in availability has been blamed for the rise in price following an outbreak of green spruce aphid.
The council spent just £21,671 on Christmas trees in 2017.
Every year, the tallest trees are displayed at Council HQ, Hamilton and in East Kilbride, Hamilton, Rutherglen and Cambuslang town centres.
In 2018, the tallest tree bought was 39ft, around five and a half times taller than the average tree displayed in people’s homes.
The lack of availability didn’t affect the size of trees purchased as the tallest was still five foot taller than 2017’s centrepiece.
Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services, said: “The mainstays of the council’s Christmas tree provision are the Norway and Sitka Spruce.
“Unfortunately the availability for 2018/19 was significantly restricted due of an outbreak of ‘green spruce aphid’ which in turn led to much reduced availability and higher costs.
“The highest tree was installed at council HQ, Hamilton with the next tallest in East Kilbride, Hamilton, Rutherglen and Cambuslang town centres.”
Availability was significantly restricted due of an outbreak of ‘green spruce aphid’
Alistair McKinnon