A low-maintenance Christmas tree “without a lot of needle loss” is the goal of a new Nova Scotia research project.
The provincial department of natural resources on Monday pledged $250,000 for a research program by Raj Lada at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. The funds will flow through the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia.
“Needle retention is a concern for Nova Scotia producers,” said council president Wayne Priest in the province’s release. “This funding will let us continue toward solutions for needle loss that will give us an edge in this ever-changing market.”
The Christmas tree industry generates about $30 million for the province’s economy and provides 400 full-time and 2,000 seasonal jobs in Nova Scotia, the department said in a release.
“Real trees are also the right choice for the environment, being biodegradable and recyclable,” the department wrote. “Balsam fir regenerates well in Nova Scotia, making the Christmas tree industry sustainable.”
