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Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - The Christmas tree providers in North Rhine-Westphalia have expressed their relief about the exemption for Christmas trees in the shutdown decisions of the federal and state governments.
"This is good news for buyers," said the chairman of the department in the North Rhine-Westphalian gardening association, Eberhard Hennecke, on Monday of the German press agency.
"You don't have to hectically find a tree by Tuesday evening, you can take your time."
The trade must close from Wednesday with the exception of shops for everyday needs (groceries, pharmacies, drug stores).
The sale of Christmas trees is excluded.
However, there are still problems for Christmas tree suppliers at hardware stores, lamented Hennecke.
DIY stores have to close after the resolutions from Wednesday, Christmas tree sales are often housed on the grounds of the markets or even in the open garden areas in the building itself and therefore have to stop sales despite the general approval.
"We have to burn around 20,000 trees this year," said the forester Claudius Koch from Eslohe-Bremke in the Sauerland.
He only offers Christmas trees at hardware stores and large furniture stores.
"If the barrier is closed, no more customers come for us either."
That means six-figure losses for him this season.
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The spokesman for the trade association for DIY, building and gardens (BHB), Jörn Brüningholt, said there were still discussions with the authorities as to whether Christmas tree sales could be relocated from open spaces in DIY stores or restricted parking spaces to other locations nearby.
This also applies to animal feed, the sale of which also remains permitted.