Ireland set to host summer meeting for the Christmas Tree Grower Council of Europe

Photo: DAFM

The Christmas Tree Grower Council of Europe will hold its annual summer meeting in Co. Carlow on July 6-8

Horticulture

2 July 2026

Across Europe, Christmas tree growers have been immersed in one of the most vigorous growing seasons.

Pruning, bud-picking, and leader control have kept growers intensively occupied throughout the spring and early summer, alongside decisions on fertilisation, vegetation management, and protecting beneficial pollinators while minimising the damage of insects, such as aphids and weevils.

As this demanding phase draws to a close, growers now turn their attention to a brief, but vital window of reflection and professional development.

The Christmas Tree Grower Council of Europe (CTGCE) organises its flagship summer meeting during the annual lull before plantings are scanned, graded, and labelled for harvest.

The three-day meeting allows the council’s fifteen associated member countries to share research, best practices, and breakthroughs in husbandry and technology.

Following highly successful meetings in Switzerland (2024) and the Netherlands (2025), the honour of hosting falls to Ireland in 2026.

The Irish Christmas Tree Growers have assembled a rich programme for the three days running on July 6-8 at the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Tullow, Co. Carlow.

Programme highlights

• live demonstrations of current best practice in pruning methodology
• achieving premium foliage quality
• innovative weed control and spraying technology
• crop residue management and land rehabilitation
• networking sessions and a cultural exchange programme
• evening entertainment with traditional Irish hospitality

More than 100 attendees from twelve countries are expected to participate in what promises to be a very practical and forward-looking programme.

Evening gatherings will offer delegates the opportunity to share their own national songs and anthems as part of a cultural exchange, fostering the spirit of international collaboration that defines the CTGCE.

The Irish Christmas Tree Growers extend a warm welcome to all participants and look forward to showcasing both the innovation and the warmth for which Irish horticulture is becoming known for.