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VIENNA, Nov. 12, 2026 – Viennese families planning to buy a real Christmas tree will have to wait a little longer, with the official Christmas tree market season set to begin on Dec. 12 across the Austrian capital. Despite a year marked by prolonged dry conditions, Christmas tree growers in Lower Austria say customers can expect good-quality trees and largely stable prices this season.
According to the Association of Lower Austrian Christmas Tree Producers (ARGE NÖ), prices for domestic Christmas trees are expected to remain broadly unchanged compared with previous years, although minor adjustments may occur due to higher production and transport costs. Final prices will vary depending on tree species, size, quality and point of sale.
How Much Will Christmas Trees Cost in Vienna?
This year’s projected prices for locally grown Christmas trees are:
- Norway spruce (Fichte): €8 to €16 per metre
- Blue spruce (Blaufichte): €18 to €27 per metre
- Fir trees (Tanne): €18 to €40 per metre
For a typical two-metre tree, consumers can expect to pay:
- Norway spruce: €16 to €32
- Blue spruce: €36 to €54
- Fir tree: €36 to €80
Producers note that urban sales locations often involve additional expenses, including transport, staffing and rental costs for sales stands, which can influence the final retail price.
Dry Weather Challenges Young Trees
The dry months of 2026 have posed challenges for Christmas tree cultivation in Lower Austria, particularly for young saplings whose root systems have not yet reached deeper soil layers. Growers report that some young trees will need to be replaced as a result of water shortages.
More mature fir trees have generally coped better with the drought, thanks to their deeper root systems and ongoing plantation management. As a result, producers say they remain confident about the quality of trees available for the 2026 Christmas season.
Lower Austria Remains Vienna’s Main Supplier
Lower Austria continues to be the country’s leading Christmas tree producer, generating around 1.1 million trees annually. Industry representatives say more than 90% of natural Christmas trees displayed in Austrian households originate from domestic production.
For Vienna alone, the sector expects demand for approximately 650,000 natural Christmas trees this year. Around 70% of buyers traditionally purchase their tree from one of the city’s seasonal sales stands, while others buy directly from farms or wholesale markets.
Sales Begin Dec. 12 Across Vienna
Around 100 sales locations across Vienna are expected to offer Christmas trees supplied by ARGE NÖ member farms. Shoppers wanting to secure a tree earlier can visit participating growers directly from the first Advent weekend or early December.
Consumers looking for a Lower Austrian tree are advised to check for the blue-and-yellow origin ribbon used by certified ARGE producers. Each ribbon carries a six-digit identification number that allows buyers to trace the tree back to its grower.
Tips for Keeping a Christmas Tree Fresh
Growers recommend storing Christmas trees in a cool location until they are brought indoors. Once set up, trees should be placed away from radiators and heat sources and ideally kept in a stand with a water reservoir.
A fresh cut at the base of the trunk can improve water absorption. Buyers can also check freshness before purchase by gently brushing branches from the inside outward. A fresh tree should retain most of its needles, while wood beneath lightly scratched bark should still appear moist.
With the official sales season beginning in mid-December, growers advise customers seeking a specific tree size or species to explore offers from local producers in advance.
- source: vienna.at/picture: wien.gv.at
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