Green Belt

Shopping for a Christmas tree is riddled with challenges particularly if it’s a real tree you’re after. Across the many nurseries around the city two rather small,coniferous tree lookalikes are on offer: the Juniperus and the Araucaria. The Juniperus though is barely two and a half foot tall; its stems,weak and unstable,will most likely buckle under the pressure of decorative ornaments and lights.

Alternatively,the Araucaria,with sturdier reptilian branches,is the one expats go for,explains Shankar Yadav at Kamal Nursery in Sujan Singh Park. But sales are slow,that too when Christmas is just a day away. “It’s not as it used to be. The real Christmas trees used to come from Shimla,but we haven’t seen them for years,” he sighs. The price for a Araucaria begins at Rs 700 and can go upwards of Rs 3,500

Government regulation on deforestation has rendered the towering coniferous and pine trees from Shimla a story of the past. Nine years ago,it was deemed illegal to cut the trees,yet supplies did trickle down. Stringent monitoring has ensured that branches of pine trees too are prohibited. Botany expert Aruna Lal,the Oberoi florist elaborates,“There are no commercial gardens for growing large coniferous trees. You could be behind bars for cutting them,” she says.

There is an abundance of plastic trees,in all sizes,shapes and textures taking their place. The largest collection seems to be homed in Khan Market. For tall yet prickly trees,Gift Palace in Khan Market has the widest collection. Their trees,in curious shades of green move fast — it’s not surprising since they have the tallest tree on offer: a 10 footer for Rs 1,600.

A more up-market version is sold in Fragrance along the same line. Mimicking the real thing almost to a Tee,with heavy branches,Moharram Abdul is hopeful his stock will move. “Plastic trees are now the only option and our trees are the best in town.” A five-foot tree costs Rs 2450— he has sold seven already and has finished his reef stock. Though Fragrance specializes in fresh flowers,it keeps fake trees during the festive season. “Forget Shimla,it’s all made in China,” he jokes.

If you would rather have a tree already embellished,head to Archies — it’s commercial Christmas at full-blown glory. A white,snow-themed Christmas tree awaits you at their Vasant Vihar outlet. Made of fiber,this one is environment friendly yet pricey,costing Rs 4500. Alternatively a cheap,use-once and throw on the sixth day of the New Year option is available in both Defence Colony and Kailash Colony markets. Star Bazaar in Kailash Colony has a small one-foot tree priced reasonably at Rs 450.

The eco-friendly have found their own unique version of the tree too. Celine,an expat from France,was busy clicking away the gigantic Swarovski crystal Christmas tree at the Emporio Mall,Vasant Kunj. “It’s my first Christmas away from home. I’ve planned a little gathering for Christmas Eve and didn’t find a tree to my liking. I’m going to use this image on my projector instead,” she says.