http://english.mn.ru/english/issue.php?2005-49-6
Muscovites Hurry to Buy a Yolka
Sergei Borisov
The New Year trees markets opened in Moscow on December 20. People can buy there a traditional fir tree, or yolka in Russian. Yolka is the central piece of decoration in Russian homes during New Year celebrations.
A total of 300 fir tree markets have mushroomed, with 30 for each administrative district. Their work is strictly regulated: sellers must have a price list, cash register, measuring ruler, packaging material, means of fire-fighting and a complaint book.
Muscovites can choose a fir tree grown in Russia, Denmark or Canada. Trees from Denmark are the most expensive. Their starting price is two thousand rubles for a running meter.
Home-grown trees are cheaper and cost roughly 160 rubles ($5.5) for a running meter. Pine trees of 1.5 to 2 meters in height can be bought at a starting price of 300 rubles. Fir boughs will cost 20-30 rubles.
The opening of fir tree markets coincided with the beginning of Operation Fir conducted by ecological militiamen who will inspect all the places where New Year trees are bought. They will fine those breaking the rule of selling as well as those engaged in illegal felling of fir trees in Moscow and the Moscow region. The sums of fines range from two thousand rubles to 150 thousand.
Many Russians prefer to decorate their houses with artificial fir trees. Big yolkas installed in different parts of the city are also artificial. Department of the Use of Nature and Environmental Protection in Moscow has reminded Muscovites that a good alternative to live fir trees are artificial ones.