November 29, 2009 in Idaho

Hunt begins for perfect presence

The ideal Christmas tree, a veteran seller says, is locally sourced, gracefully shaped – and plastic-free

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Mike Tuel assesses the strengths and weaknesses of a Christmas tree held by a fellow tree salesman Friday at his tree lot on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene. Tuel has been selling Christmas trees for 30 years.
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Each year after Thanksgiving, Mike Tuel sets up a temporary forest in the asphalt parking lot at Runge Furniture Store in Coeur d’Alene.

Wooden scaffolds hold dozens of dark green firs. The trees give off a spicy smell, crisply redolent of snow and resin, while Tuel extols the merits of locally grown, fresh-cut evergreens.

Sure, you can buy an artificial tree already strung with lights.

“But the damn tree comes from China,” growled Tuel, a 30-year purveyor of Christmas trees, who will spend the next four weeks in a camper on the lot, hawking trees. “Do you really …

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