Working Trees

THE cutest guy on the tree lot!! AND the one who makes the most money in tips. :-) (Dimples and English accent ... gets 'em every time!)



















Look for the hillside filled with Christmas trees. Not a problem in our area of North Carolina. This is the biggest and most profitable industry here. So, this time of year is very busy for the locals. Most families "leave" a tree farm for the generations up and coming. Most families put their children through agricultural school with the profits from the trees, and it passes right on down ... until one day someone does not want to be in the tree biz .... then it gets sold to another, bigger tree farmer ... there are some VERY successful folks. And so it goes.



Then, after you've spotted a hillside full of trees, you look for a FARM full ... this is the one Paul is working for this year. John White is the owner. He works a "choose and cut" lot, as well as wholesale orders. It is H A R D work. They sold over 100 trees on this lot the day after Thanksgiving. That means someone (Paul or one of the other fellas) cuts, drags/carries, bags and loads the trees that the customers pick out. Paul is sleeping pretty good right now!




After you find the farm, you must find just the right tree. When there are thousands or even hundreds to choose from, some families manage to stay for hours. Some only need 10 minutes. Lots of family's tradition is to go and pick out a tree over the Thanksgiving weekend ... they were BUSY last weekend!

I think one of these trees has our name on it! And remember that cute guy from the first photo ??? Well, he brought it home and put it on the porch. Then the snow came ... and stayed ... until today. Maybe it'll get into the house soon. We shall see! I don't tip as well as the people at the tree lot ... I think he's holding that over me! HA!



Paul says all the folks who come to the choose and cut lot are HAPPY and in a very festive mood. It is a wonderful contrast to the folks who are normally shopping and are frustrated and tired. Sometimes there are families of 7 or 9 people choosing a tree, which takes a little while, it seems!
Paul comes home feeling a little like one of Santa's elves and has a great twinkle in his bright blue eyes. He also comes home wet and frozen to the bone sometimes! There have been a couple of incidents where he's arrived home bruised and sore. (nothing broken though, we've had the x-rays!) He has seen lots of deer families in the trees and had a lot of time out under the beautiful Carolina sky. One morning I made scones and he and his tree worker buddies had a tea party in the canopy where they collect the money. Hey, it's a job ... but somebody has to do it!
Life in the mountains is very different from the city life. We go much slower, enjoy more subtle moments, and wear more layers of clothing. It is only December 3rd and it has snowed more already this year than it snowed the whole season last year. The ski industry is thrilled!
Anyway, we hope you ALL get a beautiful Christmas tree this year to help you feel the magical ambiance of the season. And support your North Carolina tree growers (and cutters) ... we truly appreciate your support!
'Tis the season to be jolly .... we're there!
Paul & Cheri