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“Real” tree vendors have popped all throughout northern Manhattan, offering an abundance of Christmas trees for those looking to fulfill tradition, and for those seeking to create new ones.
Story and photos by Sandra E. Garcia
‘Tis the season.
No sooner have you put away the last of the dinner plates from Thanksgiving back in storage than Christmas tree vendors seem to appear at every turn, peppering the air with the scent of fresh pine.
With tree vendors posted all along Broadway, and at 207th Street and Dyckman Street, to name but a few spots, this time of year it seems that northern Manhattan turns into a bit of a pine forest.
Despite the abundance of artificial trees, many northern Manhattan residents still opt for a natural fir to decorate their homes. And seasonal tree vendors from around the world are glad to oblige them
“In Greece, I am a yachts keeper; I sail people around the Greek islands,” explained Richard Chapel, a tree vendor on 145th Street and Broadway.
Jean Halling, who accompanied Chapel, lived on the Lower East side during her childhood, but after moving to Montana, she has come back the past four years to sell trees to New Yorkers.
“It’s a cool neighborhood; it’s a real melting pot,” said Halling of what she’s observed of Washington Heights.
Alas, some vendors have not been not fortunate enough yet to get a lot of the local experience.
Bekha Kaas, also in the tree-selling business, has not been able to leave 145th Street since she’s arrived from Greece, because of a broken-down van. Her travels have been a little more confined.
“We live in the van; we use the bathrooms at the delis on the corners, and we get a lot of sandwiches from there too,” said Kaas.
Even though she has been unable to see most of the city, Kaas says she’s been more than happy to be here.
“I like selling trees,” said Kass. “There are no more jobs for life, [and] I enjoy traveling the world.”
The prices for the trees range from $45 to $120.
“The average tree is $70 depending on the size, grade and species,” said Kaas.
“For me, it’s an annual tradition. I’m from the Midwest, so I’m used to having a natural tree,” explained Corey Weaver, who purchased a 6-foot tree.
And while for many like Weaver, the hunt for the perfect natural tree is tradition, for some others at the pop-up tree market, it was their very first natural tree.
Susan and Mario Rodriguez decided to go organic this year, and start a new kind of custom.
“We love the pine smell,” said Mario.
And as Susan explained it, in the couple’s own special kind of logic, it might not hurt the gift-giving.
“The deeper you are into the Christmas spirit [with a natural tree], the more gifts you might get,” claimed Susan.
Vendors on 145th street and 173rd Street along Broadway were both stationed in front of a Rite Aid drugstore, which was offering a 6-foot plastic noble fir tree for $19.99.
Still, business for the “real” tree vendors remained brisk.
“Even with the Rite Aid, we fare well, it’s been all right, pretty consistent,” said Chapel.
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