Busy times in the forest

So much work goes into a Tyrolean Christmas tree

Johannes Astner from Reith im Alpbachtal often has to bend his knees in front of his trees so that they grow evenly.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

The greenery for the festive season must meet high standards. But how much work really goes into a Christmas tree? Searching for clues among Tyrol's Christmas tree farmers and what is probably the highest growing region in Austria. 

"The quietest time of the year is one of those things," says Johannes Astner from Reith im Alpbachtal with a twinkle in his eye. It's not so quiet for the farmer before Christmas. As a Christmas tree grower, Astner has a lot on his plate at the moment. The greenery for the festive season has to be harvested, packed, delivered and sold in good time.