Christmas tree disaster: Frost and heat threaten the harvest in Oberhavel!

Christmas tree disaster: Frost and heat threaten the harvest in Oberhavel!

The challenges in growing Christmas trees are currently enormous, especially in the Oberhavel district in Brandenburg. Prolonged heat, frosty nights and heavy rains are putting strain on the plantations, making the situation increasingly worrying for farmers. Vincent Köhler, owner of the Krämerwaldhof, describes the year as a “pure catastrophe”. There was extreme drought, particularly between the end of March and the end of June, which severely affected new plantings.

Irrigation options are limited, so only young trees can be provided with sufficient water. Failures of up to 40 percent are now a sad reality. In addition, a severe late frost in May and June caused many young shoots to freeze back and thus suffered additional damage. The situation was made worse by six weeks of continuous rain, which washed nutrients from the soil and made additional fertilization necessary. Fertilizer prices have also increased, significantly increasing the cost of tree care.

Growing and harvesting Christmas trees

Nordmann firs also grow on around five hectares at the Krämerwaldhof. Christmas trees usually take six to seven years to be ready for harvest. Köhler says the farm is increasingly turning to more heat-resistant tree species, such as Douglas fir. Last year the price for a meter of Christmas tree from the farm was around 23.50 euros, although the prices for this year have not yet been set. However, given the developments, an increase is to be expected. The trees still have to survive the remaining hot summer days before the harvest begins.

A lot has also happened in the areas of technology and finance in 2025. The crypto wallet market has experienced a period of innovation, particularly with the Bitcoin price increasing by over 100% since August 2024. The Best Wallet, a non-custodial wallet with over 250,000 active monthly users, has raised $14.5 million in its ongoing presale. This wallet supports over 1,000 tokens on more than 60 blockchains and offers a range of security features including MPC technology and two-factor authentication. BEST, the wallet's native token, gives users access to certain benefits within the platform.

Entertainment and upcoming series

In the entertainment industry, HBO aims to present new content. The plan is to broadcast a “Coming Soon” trailer before the finale of a high-profile series, showing new footage and featuring Colin Farrell in his role as The Penguin. The show has a tragic twist for the characters, but has received positive reviews overall.

Fans of British and British-adjacent shows in particular are eagerly awaiting the upcoming series, including the third season of “The Gilded Age” and the second season of “The Last of Us” with Bella Ramsey. HBO also has two major debuts scheduled for 2024: “Dune: Prophecy” and “Get Millie Black.” After the turn of the year, further titles such as “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and the third season of “The White Lotus” are planned.

Developments in both agriculture and technology and entertainment offer an exciting insight into the current trends of 2025, all of which are characterized by significant challenges and opportunities.

For more information about the situation of Christmas tree growers in Brandenburg, visit rbb24. Details about the emerging Best Wallet can be found at CoinCentral while watching HBO series news Telly Visions can discover.