Organic Cut Greens versus Conventional Cut Greens
We are all about organic. Whenever possible, we buy organically produced food and products. Therefore, we are not yet 100% happy that we cannot yet offer purely organically produced cut greenery. But why is that? We would like to give you some insights into the cultivation of cut greenery so that you can form your own opinion.
Before branches can be harvested from a Nordmann fir or a Nobilis for our "Keinachtsbaum" (non-Christmas tree) for the first time, the tree must grow for about 11-14 years. Only then can we carefully begin to use the first branches. From this point on, however, we can harvest the tree for at least another 20 years or more.
But this is also one of the dilemmas for our cut greenery producers. If an insect, such as aphids, causes significant damage in oats for an organic farmer, they can accept this because only one year's harvest will be slightly weaker. For our cut greenery farmers, much more depends on the trees. From the very first year, farmers have to put extensive care into the areas. Planting the young trees, clearing weeds, protecting them from browsing by deer and stags, fertilizing them, and possibly pruning them a little so that a so-called leader shoot grows as quickly as possible. So the producer invests not just 1 year of work and money into the area, as with oats for example, but 11-14 years before any yields are achieved at all.
Insects such as the bark beetle can kill even 80-100 year old trees within a few weeks. Other insects that can cause severe damage and total crop failure in cut greenery areas include the fir shoot aphid or various species of mites.
Therefore, if a cut greenery farmer were unable to protect themselves from a severe insect infestation, their entire existence would very quickly be at stake. Against this background, we can understand that not many producers have yet taken the courageous step of converting their entire stock to 100% organic.
But what can we do to still offer clean, fairly and sustainably produced cut greenery for our "Keinachtsbäume"? We set standards for our greenery that producers can implement without risking their business existence.
No herbicides, i.e., agents that kill ground vegetation, may be used on the areas where our "Keinachtsbaum" cut greenery is harvested. Furthermore, no insecticides, i.e., agents that act against insects, may be used preventively. Our producers must carefully monitor the balance between the occurrence of pests and the health of the trees. Due to weather conditions, in many years there is only a very slight infestation of harmful insects, which then of course does not need to be treated. Likewise, not every infestation needs to be treated immediately. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs can often very effectively combat an aphid infestation.
Only in the most extreme emergency may insecticides be used. And even then, only according to the following scheme: First, it must be checked whether one of the biologically approved plant protection products can be used. This is the case, for example, with a mite infestation. Here, the producer can very effectively defend themselves by using so-called wettable sulfur. This is a naturally occurring agent that is also permitted in organic farms. If this is not possible and a total loss threatens, then in exceptional cases an insecticide may be used within the legally permitted framework.
Fir trees for our Nobilis cut greenery
Trust is good, control is better!
According to this principle, we inspect the areas from which we harvest. In addition, we take needle samples from our suppliers' goods to have them checked for residues in a laboratory. If agents have to be used, the same legally prescribed limit values apply to Christmas trees and cut greenery areas as to food.
In summary, this means that our cut greenery is usually completely untreated. If it is treated, we test it to ensure that all food limit values are met. So you can gladly feed your animals with your cut greenery or eat it yourself - no washing necessary 😉
However, if you know someone who would like to produce organic certified cut greenery for us or have good ideas on how we can achieve 100% organic, please contact us!