Previous find of the month
December 2010
Sale of Christmas Trees
One constant feature of Christmas over the years is the sale of Christmas Trees by the Scout Association of Australia. The file '69/1257 Pt1 – Forests Branch – Christmas Trees – Sale of' contains documents relating to the supply of Christmas Trees by the Department of the Interior’s Forests Section dating back to 1945. Churches, schools and kindergartens were supplied trees free of charge while the Boy Scouts Association oversaw the sale of the trees to the public.
In 1947 a tree cost 2/6 and it was even possible to hire a potted tree at a rate of 5/- per week.
By 1966 trees had risen in cost 60c while a fine for illegally removing trees from the forests was $10. The Boy Scouts sold 6454 trees this year. It was also the year that the Girl Guides Association applied to sell Christmas trees. The application was rejected for the reasons described in the file '66/115 – Forestry - Christmas Trees - Sale of - 1966-1968'.
This supply of trees continued until recently when Parks Conservation and Lands ceased providing trees for sale and displays. The Scout Association trees are now sourced from commercial growers.
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