TRUE STORY... (No, that is not the set up to a joke...no punchline...It is so!)A few weeks back, I told you about the guy selling Christmas trees, whose real name was Forest (with only ONE “R” as he so eagerly pointed out).
Well, with the first week of the new year down, and seeing these once sought after pine trees tossed to the curb along wiht Monday's trash, it got me thinking about my dear friend Forest again. (he's the one to the left with the tan jacket)
Luckily, I had the good pleasure of sitting down and having a quite jovial chat with, “The Forest” before his tree-selling tenure was up. We discussed everything from his humble beginnings as a “Tree Identification Course Instructor,” to his ultimate aspirations to own his own farm. I think you’ll find “The Forest” to be quite an intriguing character, right down to his love for a certain West-African legend!
Without any further adieu… My COnversation with The Forest:
So tell me Forest, did your name sort of predestine you for the work you’re currently doing?
Selling Christmas trees is a dream! 12 hours in a tiny booth, who could ask for more!?
How does one get into the Christmas tree selling biz?
You gotta be well connected to people in Vermont.
Well actually, when I went to the University of Vermont, I taught the Tree Identification course, so we would take field trips with the students and teach them to differentiate b/w various types of trees and plants. I got really good grades, so that’s how I was able to teach and take classes at the same time.
So…Why Harlem? Of all places, what made the City College subway stop a prime location for Christmas tree selling?
Well, I’ve been saying for the longest that I was gonna sell Christmas trees this year for this particular guy. I just kept saying it all year long. When I approached the guy who owned the company, he said the crew was full. Eventually, I got connected with a friend of a friend who was also selling trees. One crew member dropped out mid-season, and so here I am in Harlem.
Ok, So, I get that this has been a “life-long dream” as you say, but seriously, what is your motivation for being out here for 12 hours every night in the cold, selling Christmas trees?
I wanna buy a truck with “my lady” [Sorry girls...”The Forest” is taken! True story… Sad day!] in California and drive to Vermont to start my own farm.
Everyone wants to know: Is this a lucrative business?
I made between $1,300-$1,500 for 11 days of work. (8pm-8am/7 days a week)
Would you do this again?
It’s questionable.
The goal is to make enough money with my farm to not have to be out here next winter.
So…Why Harlem? Of all places, what made the City College subway stop a prime location for Christmas tree selling?
Well, I’ve been saying for the longest that I was gonna sell Christmas trees this year for this particular guy. I just kept saying it all year long. When I approached the guy who owned the company, he said the crew was full. Eventually, I got connected with a friend of a friend who was also selling trees. One crew member dropped out mid-season, and so here I am in Harlem.
Ok, So, I get that this has been a “life-long dream” as you say, but seriously, what is your motivation for being out here for 12 hours every night in the cold, selling Christmas trees?
I wanna buy a truck with “my lady” [Sorry girls...”The Forest” is taken! True story… Sad day!] in California and drive to Vermont to start my own farm.
Everyone wants to know: Is this a lucrative business?
I made between $1,300-$1,500 for 11 days of work. (8pm-8am/7 days a week)
Would you do this again?
It’s questionable.
The goal is to make enough money with my farm to not have to be out here next winter.
Would I do this again? It would have to be the RIGHT situation.
What do you sell on your farm?
30 different kinds of vegetables. It’s all Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Does Chipotle buy products from you?
Chip what?
Do you even have a Chipotle in Vermont?
I don’t think so…
What else don’t you have in Vermont?
Umm…
What do you sell on your farm?
30 different kinds of vegetables. It’s all Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Does Chipotle buy products from you?
Chip what?
Do you even have a Chipotle in Vermont?
I don’t think so…
What else don’t you have in Vermont?
Umm…
Black People. The Correct Answer is Black People! It’s too freaking cold for us to be there. Don’t you think so?
Umm… I suppose. [nervous laughter]
How do your parents feel about your profession?
My mom calls me at 6am and 9pm to make sure I’m still kicking and Alive
Well, this is Harlem… It’s not Brooklyn or anything, but I’m saying!
Would you like your future children to continue in the legacy of selling Christmas trees?
It’s no pressure. But I do want them to experience different cultures. Being out here, you’re exposed to really great things. The other night I saw the Lunar Eclipse, right from this spot! If you’re smart, you learn how to take advantage and make the most of circumstances and opportunities.
What’s one thing we New Yorkers wouldn’t know about Vermont?
The Biggest town in Vermont is Burlington [aside: I wonder if that’s where the coat factory comes from…random thought!], and there is a Refugee Resettlement Program for Somolians.
Umm… I suppose. [nervous laughter]
How do your parents feel about your profession?
My mom calls me at 6am and 9pm to make sure I’m still kicking and Alive
Well, this is Harlem… It’s not Brooklyn or anything, but I’m saying!
Would you like your future children to continue in the legacy of selling Christmas trees?
It’s no pressure. But I do want them to experience different cultures. Being out here, you’re exposed to really great things. The other night I saw the Lunar Eclipse, right from this spot! If you’re smart, you learn how to take advantage and make the most of circumstances and opportunities.
What’s one thing we New Yorkers wouldn’t know about Vermont?
The Biggest town in Vermont is Burlington [aside: I wonder if that’s where the coat factory comes from…random thought!], and there is a Refugee Resettlement Program for Somolians.
Wait a minute…isn’t that cruel and unusual punishment. They take the hungry, displaced Somolians out of the heat and place them in the middle of snow capped mountains! Why?! I thought we already established that there were no Black people in Vermont for this particular reason!? I’m done!
Ok Forest, before we wrap this up. We’re gonna play, “FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT FOREST!”
Uh oh.
Did I stump you? What don’t people know
ok, here we go:
Forest Fun Fact #1: My Favorite vegetable is Kale. I eat it twice a day with Olive Oil, because you need a fat to process the minerals and Kale TOTALLY helps your skin. [Such a Farmer-esque thing to say!]
Forest Fun Fact #2: I’m not afraid of the dark [Clearly..given the fact that he has graveyard shift duty!]
Forest Fun Fact #3: I Dance to Fela Kuti for hours on end!
[This response led to this conversation:
Yvonne : Shut da FRONT DOOR!! I’m Nigerian.
Forest: No Way! I Love Fela
Yvonne: Prove it, let me see you dance!
Forest : [busts a serious pelvis thrust...ladies, I can vouch…”The Forest” has got moves!]
Yea meen! I love culture. I’ve been to Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Yvonne: SHUUUUT YOUR FACE!! I spent almost 2 months in the DR. Wait a minute… WHO ARE YOU?!
Forest: [laughs]
Forest Fun Fact #4: I feel black inside
Yvonne: aww shucks, well you know I’m singe. I’ll have to keep you in my back pocket.
Is your “lady” black?
Forest: No.
Yvonne: Minus one point.
Forest Fun Fact #5: This is the BEST interview I’ll ever have in my entire life!
Yvonne: oh, well you know, I tend to have that kind of effect on people.
[Both Laugh]
Yvonne: No, in all seriousness. That means a lot to me. Thank you! Any Last words?
Forest: Keep Life always Magical and always Mystical.
Ok Forest, before we wrap this up. We’re gonna play, “FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT FOREST!”
Uh oh.
Did I stump you? What don’t people know
ok, here we go:
Forest Fun Fact #1: My Favorite vegetable is Kale. I eat it twice a day with Olive Oil, because you need a fat to process the minerals and Kale TOTALLY helps your skin. [Such a Farmer-esque thing to say!]
Forest Fun Fact #2: I’m not afraid of the dark [Clearly..given the fact that he has graveyard shift duty!]
Forest Fun Fact #3: I Dance to Fela Kuti for hours on end!
[This response led to this conversation:
Yvonne : Shut da FRONT DOOR!! I’m Nigerian.
Forest: No Way! I Love Fela
Yvonne: Prove it, let me see you dance!
Forest : [busts a serious pelvis thrust...ladies, I can vouch…”The Forest” has got moves!]
Yea meen! I love culture. I’ve been to Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Yvonne: SHUUUUT YOUR FACE!! I spent almost 2 months in the DR. Wait a minute… WHO ARE YOU?!
Forest: [laughs]
Forest Fun Fact #4: I feel black inside
Yvonne: aww shucks, well you know I’m singe. I’ll have to keep you in my back pocket.
Is your “lady” black?
Forest: No.
Yvonne: Minus one point.
Forest Fun Fact #5: This is the BEST interview I’ll ever have in my entire life!
Yvonne: oh, well you know, I tend to have that kind of effect on people.
[Both Laugh]
Yvonne: No, in all seriousness. That means a lot to me. Thank you! Any Last words?
Forest: Keep Life always Magical and always Mystical.
And oh, yea, COME TO VERMONT!
Who knew The Forest would be so cool...and flexible...
Well, i hope this has encouraged you to stop and smell the pine every so often and have random conversations with perfect strangers...you never know, you might discover that you have more in common than you think!
Until next time... Live Life Laughing!
Y.
