On December 20, thousands of Christmas firtree markets opened in all Russian cities and big villages. Only in Moscow there are more than 300 places to buy a natural green tree.

      This year the cost of firtrees is the same as it was the last year, and it is still quite high. For example, in Moscow a 1,5-m or 2-m Russian tree will cost about 800-1000 roubles ($25-31). Foreign firtrees from Canada and Denmark are even more expensive - about 4000 roubles ($125) for 1-m tree and almost 10,000 roubles ($312) for 3-m tree. 

      In spite of such high price, most Russian people are ready to spend money for the natural Christmas-tree, as they can't imagine the main winter holiday without its lovely symbol. Though artificial firtrees gain more population with every year, the natural tree is still priority for Russian people, especially for children. 

      Furthermore, this year it is possible to buy the natural Russian firtree only for 300 roubles ($9,4) if to go to one of 19 forestries around Moscow. Within the programme "The Right Firtree" they organized special plantations where every person is allowed to choose and cut down the tree. In the opinion of the programme's organizers, such measures will help to prevent many cases of illegal cutting down in Russian forests. It's important to remember that the fine for the illegal cutting down is 300,000 roubles ($9,375) so the game is not worth the candle. 

Sources: 1tv.ru AiF RIA Novosti Image: news.rin.ru