**Interview with Tree-Seller George Smith: The Cutthroat World of Christmas Trees in New York**
I recently chatted with George Smith, a veteran Christmas tree-seller in New York. Here’s a glimpse into his cutthroat business, colorful clientele, and tree wisdom.
**Why Is Tree Selling So Cutthroat?**
According to 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.”_
He explained that the business is fiercely territorial, with established sellers guarding their spots on city streets.
**A Tree Isn’t Just a Tree**
Smith is adamant that, like sneakers, all Christmas trees are NOT created equal:
_”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. There’s nothing like Christmas, especially in New York.”_
**What’s the Best Type of Christmas Tree?**
Smith offers advice for shoppers:
_”I prefer a Fraser, but I used to like balsam. They drop their needles more. That’s why 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.”_
Smith has sold trees to some notable New Yorkers:
_”I sold one to President George W. Bush for his daughter Jenna. Delivered it myself, and President Bush is on the couch. I’ve 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 eight years to get a 7-foot tree.”_
**Stories from the Stand**
On his busy NYC shop:
_”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 the tree something to drink. Room-temperature water. Don’t make it hot, and you’d be good to go.”_
Big trees mean big problems:
_”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 ½. We had to cut it.”_
**How Much Are Trees?**
When asked about pricing and delivery, Smith joked:
_”Kiss me at the end because it’d be perfect.”_
If your apartment can’t fit a giant tree?
_”We have a white glove service. Let me come to your house. I’ll bring the tree myself.”_
**The Challenge of Exchanges**
But buyers beware—exchanging a Christmas tree isn’t as easy as swapping shoes:
_”Problem with a tree-seller is, if you don’t like his gift, how can you exchange it? Only in New York, kids, only in New York.”_
—
**Hollywood & Psychic Predictions for 2026**
What does psychic John Cohan see for the stars in 2026?
– **The hottest new sandwich:** Keith Urban and J. Lo. Don’t ask, just wait.
– **Prince Harry & Meghan:** Separate, but keep it secret. Apparently, Harry waits until spring to make it official; Meghan launches her own fashion line.
– **Kristen Bell:** Runs hot with a new movie, “Diane Ladd Life Story.”
– **Justin Bieber:** Relocates to another country.
– **Lori Loughlin:** Career rebounds after splitting from Mossimo Giannulli, though a low period follows.
– **Ryan Seacrest:** Leaves “Wheel of Fortune” due to health concerns, but health improves.
– **Reba McEntire:** Marriage may be on the horizon—again.
Stay tuned, New Yorkers—there’s never a dull moment from the sidewalk tree stand to Hollywood’s evolving drama.
https://nypost.com/2025/12/14/opinion/christmas-tree-seller-explains-why-its-such-a-cutthroat-business/