Christmas tree producers in Central and Southern Jutland are reporting frost damage to their trees following unusually widespread nighttime frost on Friday. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is considered unusual for this time of year.

Claus Jerram Christensen, director of the trade association Danish Christmas Trees, stated that the frost has severely impacted Nordmann firs, the most common type of Christmas tree grown in the region. Central and Southern Jutland is home to more than half of Denmark’s Christmas tree producers.

The mild spring had caused the firs to bud earlier than usual, making the light green shoots vulnerable to frost. In many areas, these shoots have withered. Producers may be able to salvage some trees by pruning the dead shoots, although this will set back their growth by a year. If the top shoot is damaged, the tree may have to be abandoned.

Meteorologist Sebastian Pelt from the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) confirmed the unusual cold snap, noting that five stations recorded nighttime frost – the largest distribution so late in the spring in 30 years.

Denmark produces approximately 11.5 million Christmas trees annually, exporting 10 million of them. While the frost damage is not expected to impact the availability of Christmas trees for Danes, it may affect the number of trees available for export.