Christmas Tree Sales

Like everyone whose work came a cropper in the past year, arts festival director Karen Walshe started thinking about Christmas. She wanted to have a new business up and running by this December, but initially couldn’t see the wood for the trees. But the answer lay in those very trees. The most obvious festive purchase of all, she sensibly reckoned, is the traditional fir tree. She has now forsaken the glamour of the arts world, donned the lumberjack check shirt, and has a flourishing business growing, selling and delivering trees to businesses and private homes throughout the capital. The noble fir – chosen as much for its fresh pine scent as its ability to retain its needles – comes in 3ft right up to 12ft in height and can be bought any day between now and 23 December in Portobello, on Saturdays in the Temple Bar market, or ordered online. Prices range from €25 upwards. And while it’s depressing to contemplate January at this stage, Walshe has taken the headache out of disposing of the post-festive tree by setting up a collection and recycling service.

How did someone more involved with indoor events get involved in the great outdoors?

“Like a lot of people working in the arts, I had needed to have another income just to keep going. I had been running a small crafts and furniture stall at weekends in the Temple Bar market, but my main work for the past eight years was producing the Dublin Electronic Arts Festival (DEAF). I was also involved with other arts events around the city in a freelance capacity, including the production of Lightwave in the Science Gallery during Trinity Week. But this year, we had to wrap up DEAF due to the recession and lack of funding, and a few events I should have been doing right now have been cancelled. So I decided to take it upon myself to build a business and try to earn a living outside the arts – anything to keep me off the dole, and help keep my independence. My experience in production in the arts benefits what I do now because both businesses demand being very organised – and I reckoned that if I can run a big festival, I can also deliver trees.”
Despite news reports that there is a Christmas-tree shortage this year, Walshe believes there is a real tree out there for everyone.

“I found a great forest at Parkmore Farm, in the Wicklow mountains, which has 30 acres specially dedicated to growing fir trees. I chose it because the farm has been in the business for over 20 years and it takes its planting very seriously. The site is at an elevation of about 1,000ft and is free draining, providing ideal conditions for noble fir trees. Originally, the trees were allowed to develop completely naturally, but now the farm uses the most up-to-date culturing methods, including feeding and shearing. Not only that, the farmers use sheep, rather than chemicals, to keep the grass and weeds under control.”
The work is all very hands on for Walshe, and to paraphrase that old 1970s hit, she does indeed tie a yellow tag round each tree. But how does she manage with some of those strapping 12-footers?

“I’ve roped in my brothers and sisters to help out. Last week we loaded up a 25ft arctic truck with a few hundred trees and brought them to the Bernard Shaw pub car park. I love being outdoors and being in such direct contact with the public. Shoppers can even make it an afternoon out when buying their tree from us in Portobello; they can have a glass of mulled wine, tea or coffee after choosing their tree. There’s pizza available too on the Big Blue Bus parked next to the trees, fully equipped with a pizza oven and seating on the top deck. We also have tree stands, decorations, and then there’s the car-boot sale coming up here next Saturday.”

Walshe’s corporate customers so far include Harvey Nichols in Dundrum, George’s Street Arcade, l’Gueleton restaurant, and the Dun Laoghaire Yacht Club. Naturally, she already has her own 8ft tree up and decorated.
“I plan on expanding the business next year, because, pardon the pun, there are just so many branches to explore.” She could add too, that while the arts career is felled for now, her new tree business has already taken root.

http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2009/dec/06/branching-out-into-the-festive-tree-market/

www.irishxmastrees.com karen@irishxmastrees.com
Tel: 087 975 4101

December 6, 2009