Moscow Seizing the moment when Christmas trees are in the public consciousness, the Russian branch of Greenpeace has launched a campaign for a more rational use of the forests that are potentially one of Russia's greatest assets. Sadly, at present, they are being wasted and the forest industry joins most other sectors of the economy in depression and crisis. Absurdity begins at the Christmas tree markets that have sprung up in Moscow and other cities so that Russians can take home the traditional "yolka" (fir) for their New Year celebrations. The former Soviet Union occupies one sixth of the world's land surface and much of this territory iscovered in evergreen trees.