The Hidden Secrets of Holiday Trees and The People Who Sell Them.

By Karen and Erica

Each year, we buy holiday trees. Erica has the most gorgeous uptown tree. Majestic, marvelous, magnificent. Karen’s is more of a downtown tree. Little, scrappy, sparkly.

We became curious about who the tree sellers are—especially since we see some of them every year in the same spot.

It seems many follow seasonal work. They set up shop in our neighborhoods right about the time we celebrate Thanksgiving, on the sidewalks and parking lots and in local farmers’ markets. In New York City, at least, they do not need permits—which is actually startling. The tree people come from all over the U.S., and from Canada. The young men near us come from Quebec. They arrive each year at the same location, signaling the start of the holidays. They set up stands for the trees, and little huts with heat and light for themselves. They sleep in their huts, or in nearby vans.

And they are pretty artistic, along with their other talents. Often, when they shape a tree for a buyer, they cut a bit off the bottom of the trunk, and a few branches, to give it shape. Then, they make the loveliest reindeer from the left over pieces, with knobby eyes and red berry noses and branchy antlers. Each is different and each has tons of personality.

Why do these people disrupt their lives like this each year? It is not easy. And they face increasing competition from big companies. But they can make good money if they do it right. Selling Christmas trees is a pretty big business. Millions and millions of trees are cut and sold each year—and one to three new trees are planted for each that is taken. Billions of dollars are spent on trees—real and artificial—each year. (So, if you think a real tree is an extravagance, given global warming and deforestation, you have alternatives. But that won’t give you a relationship with a friendly tree seller.)

We are pretty impressed with our tree sellers. They are tough and resilient and cheerful. We hope they get back home in time to celebrate with their own families under their own trees, before Santa rolls in.