A Lévis family business specializing in natural Christmas trees is fighting a soil disease. This problem has affected its production for two years now.
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Phytophthora abietivora is a virus that attacks the roots of trees, making it difficult for Christmas trees to grow.
According to the owner of Sapins Goupil, Marquis Goupil, soil disease limits the growth of trees, causing considerable financial losses for his business.
“Before, when we had 10% losses, it was not bad. But there, we go up to 30-35% losses,” the entrepreneur told TVA Nouvelles.
The man who has been creating Christmas magic with trees for 40 years is not giving up.
“There are specialists paid by the government to analyze this. I trust life and I tell myself that at a given moment, nature will cure this,” said Marquis Goupil.
Les Sapins Goupil produces 130,000 Christmas trees on its land.
Marquis Goupil, 63, passed on his passion to his son Maxime. The latter became co-owner of the family business.
“Since I was little, we have been working on this business. For the rest of us, it means a lot,” said Maxime Goupil.
According to Marquis Goupil, the Lévis company has become a reference for several families who wish to obtain a tree for the holiday season.
“Since COVID, we’ve been cutting a lot more because it seems like people have left their artificial tree behind,” he said.
The family business says it will continue to produce Christmas trees despite the soil disease.
“Because the families here bring a lot of happiness. And for the rest of us, it’s our reward to have people come and cut their tree,” concluded Marquis Goupil.
See the full explanations in the report above.
