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Christmas tree from Nordheide: a symbol of sustainable forestry!
Lower Saxony Forest Owners Association hands over Christmas tree to State Chancellery to promote sustainable forestry and climate protection.
Christmas tree from Nordheide: a symbol of sustainable forestry!
The magic of the pre-Christmas season takes on a special dimension when a Christmas tree from the Nordheide finds its way to the Lower Saxony State Chancellery. Today, December 1, 2025, the Lower Saxony Forest Owners Association handed over a stately Christmas tree, an approximately 5.50 meter high Nordmann fir. This lush fir tree comes directly from the Wenzendorfer Hof Oelkers, where it grew under the best conditions, and was presented to Prime Minister Olaf Lies with the support of the Holtmeyer sawmill. President Philip Freiherr von Oldershausen, who carried out the handover, not only wanted to hand over a beautiful tree, but also wanted to draw attention to the importance of forestry in Lower Saxony.
“The forests are not just a feast for the eyes at Christmas time; they also play a central role in climate protection and recovery,” emphasized Oldershausen in his speech. The President of the Forest Owners Association emphasized how important it is to appreciate the work of forest owners and to recognize the multifunctional role of forests in society and the economy. This is especially true at a time when forests are under pressure due to man-made climate change. Whether due to drought or pests, the challenges are diverse.
The forest is changing
Current reports show that the forests in Lower Saxony are suffering greatly from climate change. The 2025 Forest Condition Report, published on November 3rd, shows that the average crown thinning and the proportion of severe damage in the forests have increased. These are not small problems. According to Oldershausen, all tree species in Lower Saxony are affected, which is partly due to the warm, humid weather in winter followed by a dry, hot phase in summer. Trees lose contact with water and this has direct consequences for their vitality.
Forest owners began converting their forests into species-rich, climate-adapted mixed forests decades ago. However, it remains uncertain in the future which tree species will be able to withstand climatic changes in 50 years. The forest owners' association appealed to politicians to allow more scope for adjustments. Because converting a forest is a long-term project that cannot be completed overnight.
Sustainability and responsibility
Ideas about sustainability are deeply rooted in forestry. According to BMLEH, the basis for vital forest growth is sustainable management. It is about securing and improving the economic, social and ecological values of all forest types. This philosophy is important not only in Germany, but also internationally, because sustainable forestry means that future generations can also benefit from the forests.
The problems facing forests today are enormous. Nevertheless, the forest owners' association is not giving up and is demanding that society take climate change seriously. This is the only way to improve the situation of the forests in order to ensure a viable forest for future Advent seasons.
The Christmas tree now stands in the foyer of the State Chancellery and is not only a beautiful sight, but also a sign of the commitment that forest owners and politicians must make together to preserve the forests for future generations.