‘Some people go berserk buying trees - we’ve saved marriages’
The Christmas tree market hasn’t changed much since Paul Sexton sold his first trees for five shillings in 1952. If you’re thinking of buying one, the man acclaimed as ‘Ireland’s oldest Christmas tree seller’ offers timely advice on picking the best tree – and making it last.
How should we pick the best Christmas tree?
Look for one with uniform branches that looks healthy. Don’t buy netted trees without first opening it up to see what they are like. You never know what you’re getting. There could be gaps.
People complain that they shed needles all over the house. Is there any way to stop this?
When a tree is cut down it gets a shock. And then it’s brought from a cold mountain into a very warm house, which gives it a second shock. It dries out very quickly and the needles come off. So always put it in water. It needs water. You can get a stand with a built-in water container. The best stands have them.
How has the business changed over the years?
We used to import all our trees from Denmark. Now there are plenty of Irish trees. A lot of farmers are growing them and they should be supported instead of importing plastic trees from China. We never sell plastic trees.
Where do you get your trees?
Wexford and Wicklow. They like a cold climate up in the mountain. They grow very slowly but they’re not scrawny. They’re nice and compact.
Is there much money in it?
It’s up and down – a dicey business.
A lot of people have got out of the trade, saying they’ll never buy trees again.
What’s the biggest mistake?
Buying trees to stock up a few days before Christmas. Nobody buys a tree on Christmas Eve. Or if there’s wet weather like now sellers get stuck with them and come to me with tears in their eyes wanting me to buy them off them, but there’s nothing I can do.
So after 67 years in business, how do you know how many trees to buy?
It’s a tricky business, but I usually get in 10% less than we sold last year and if we need more, we get small batches.
How do people pick trees?
Some people go berserk about buying trees. They argue back and forth. Or the husband brings one home and the wife doesn’t like it. We’ve saved many a marriage by sorting that out! We’d exchange the tree and maybe give them a little present like a wreath.
Is Christmas tree theft a problem?
Oh yes, it’s the biggest problem in the business. Farmers don’t advertise that they have trees any more because they will be targeted. We had a big robbery in Glen of the Downs, where they got 1,000 trees. We never got them back. They sold like hotcakes in markets.
How big is the average tree? Has it got bigger over the years?
No, the prices may have changed but ceiling heights are much the same. The average tree is 7ft to 9ft – 8ft on average.
And how much would that cost?
Around €50 on average per tree
Do you ever supply particularly big trees?
I supplied RTÉ for 25 years with big 30ft to 40ft trees for Montrose. We used to have a party but that stopped about 10 years ago. Now it’s all plastic, which is a disappointment.
Do you have a pension?
Trees are my pension scheme!
How’s it doing?
Pretty well. I have a lot of experience in managing it.
What was your first job?
I grew up on a farm in Miltown Malbay and I supplied local hotels with food. I represented Ireland in an international competition in Cambridge and won a medal from the Queen Mother too for them.
Is Ireland a good place to do business?
It is in Dublin, although traffic is becoming a nightmare. We’ve had ups and downs, especially during the recession.
Best financial year?
Ten years ago was pretty good.
What would you do if you were finance minster?
Stop wasting money! Seriously, I would invest more in farming – the backbone of the country – and tourism.
You see very few tourists down the east coast from Bray to Greystones and Kilcoole and it’s one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. I would reverse the VAT increase on hotels and restaurants too. Taxing tourism is crazy.