The fir tree in central Tiraspol is 16 meters in height. This could be the last live fir tree installed on the occasion of the winter holidays. Tiraspol officials have announced that they think about replacing the live fir tree with an artificial one as from next year, Info-Prim-Neo’s correspondent in Tiraspol reports. Vladimir Iurchenko, the deputy head for construction and capital repair of the self-styled Tiraspol administration, said that the artificial fir tree will be modernized every year. Only eight Tiraspol companies have been authorized to sell live fir trees. Natalia Leovushkina, senior specialist at the department of trade, transport and entrepreneurship, said the demand for fir trees is decreasing. Only one company, SRL VECE, has been issued with a license allowing to sell pyrotechnical products in the Tiraspol markets. Andrei Barabas, senior inspector at the Transnistrian ministry of the interior, said that a“Fir Tree!” operation was launched in Tiraspol. The persons that will try to cut coniferous trees will be fined 600 rubles (740 MDL) for every tree cut illegally. The operation will last until January 7, 2009.