The Story Behind Fair Trees
Every year, when Danes traditionally dance around their Christmas trees it is likely that few, if any, consider the fact that their Christmas tree probably originated in Georgia. The vast majority of seeds used for growing Danish Christmas trees are sourced from Georgia, where both quality and production quantity are considerably higher than in Denmark.
For decades, the cone pickers have been working at the risk of their lives.
Harvesting of seeds in Georgia is carried out by hand and under primitive conditions. The Georgian cone pickers climb up into 30 m tall fir trees in order to reach the cones, which they then pluck and throw to the ground. The cone pickers work entirely without safety equipment, which means that occupational injuries – and fatal accidents – come with the territory of being a cone picker.
Fair Trees® advocates alternative solutions and is showing the way for new methods to improve working conditions for the Georgian cone pickers. We insist that all workers take a course on safety and that they use secure climbing equipment.
For decades, the cone pickers have been working at the risk of their lives.
Harvesting of seeds in Georgia is carried out by hand and under primitive conditions. The Georgian cone pickers climb up into 30 m tall fir trees in order to reach the cones, which they then pluck and throw to the ground. The cone pickers work entirely without safety equipment, which means that occupational injuries – and fatal accidents – come with the territory of being a cone picker.
Fair Trees® advocates alternative solutions and is showing the way for new methods to improve working conditions for the Georgian cone pickers. We insist that all workers take a course on safety and that they use secure climbing equipment.
The cone pickers are provided labour insurance that covers the costs of occupational injuries as well as standard medical care. Furthermore, Fair Trees supports various social initiatives ensuring education and development in the cone picker community.
In order to improve the working conditions of the cone pickers, the Bols Xmas Tree Fund was founded in 2007, and shortly afterwards the Fair Trees brand was approved by Fair Trade Denmark. This means that we must comply with the extensive regulations and strict criteria of Fair Trade Denmark.
However, in partnership with you, we can offer consumers a beautiful Christmas tree which will satisfy the increasingly sensitive social conscience of consumers.
In order to improve the working conditions of the cone pickers, the Bols Xmas Tree Fund was founded in 2007, and shortly afterwards the Fair Trees brand was approved by Fair Trade Denmark. This means that we must comply with the extensive regulations and strict criteria of Fair Trade Denmark.
However, in partnership with you, we can offer consumers a beautiful Christmas tree which will satisfy the increasingly sensitive social conscience of consumers.
