Christmas tree-seller explains why its such a cutthroat business

So I interviewed tree-seller George Smith.I asked why this is such a cutthroat business.Smith: Cutthroats years ago thought they owned those locations, so you now can’t put one stand near another.

I’m from Brooklyn.Learned the old-fashioned way.

At 12, I was a tie boy.Tying trees onto cars.

Now I’m in the fields, pick my own trees, watch them grow.I shear them in Canada and North Carolina.“Saying ‘a tree is a tree’ is like saying ‘sneakers are sneakers.’ There are different types, grades.

Frasers last longer.Some customers leave theirs up till Valentine’s Day and put hearts on it.

They’re cheapos.Also, make sure your tree guy cuts the stump, put it on your radiator so your house smells of Christmas.

You know, there’s nothing like Christmas, especially in New York.”Me: “What’s the best sort of Christmas tree?”“I prefer a Fraser, but I used to like the balsam.They drop their needles more.

That’s why I say you should get a Fraser.Fraser needles shed less.

Last longer in the house.A tree doesn’t start dying until it hits the heat in your house.“I sold one to President George W. Bush for his daughter Jenna.

Delivered it myself, and President Bush is on the couch.I sold to Edie Falco, Jimmy Fallon.

Some chisel.Bush’s daughter tried to chew me down the most.

And we’d given her a bargain.It takes to get a 7-foot tree, eight years.“We’re on 23rd and Second Avenue.

I sold a 15-foot yesterday in Gramercy Park.$950, 15 feet.

Took it on a sleigh.We got Santa to take it there.

Then give it something to drink.Room-temperature water.

Don’t make it hot.And you’d be good to go.“Manhattan elevators are small.

Yesterday, we had to cut one down in the hallway.They wanted a 12-footer, and the elevator could only fit 11 ¹/₂.

We had to cut it.” Sign up for Devine Online, the newsletter from Miranda Devine Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Te...