Joy of Christmas

Thomas Sullivan never gets sick of the smell of pine needles.

The 21-year-old Michigan State University student has worked at the Anna Lovisa Tree Farm in Bath for six years. This means he can speak authoritatively about Fraser firs, balsam firs, white pines, Scotch pines and more.

And during his tenure, no one has ever lost a tree, meaning that no tree he’s put on a car has ever flown off on the highway.

But getting your tree home safe is just one of his missions. His other duties include cutting down trees, drilling the bases and lugging them to people’s cars.

We talked to him about his job and what it’s like working on a tree farm.

How did you start working at a tree lot?

My family had been going there for quite a few years. When I was 16, a high school kid working there got hurt playing hockey and my parents told the tree farm to contact me.

What’s your favorite part about the job?

Everyone that comes to get a tree is in a good mood. It’s never a poor attitude. Everyone is in the Christmas spirit. It’s great. It’s just that laid-back atmosphere.

Do you try to sell a tree to a person like a car salesman, or do you just let them wander?

Typically, people are used to getting a particular tree. They come out, we greet them and ask if they’ve been there before and most have. If they know the drill, they grab a cart, a drill and a saw and go to one of the four fields.

Do you know a lot about trees now?

Actually, I’ve learned a lot. There’s so many species. We pretty much have any kind of tree you want in the U.S.

Do you ever get sick of the smell?

That never gets old. When you get out there and start drilling trees and shaking them, all those memories come back to you.

What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened at the lot?

There’s always people bringing back a tree thinking it will fit in their house. It’s funny when we have to take a couple feet off a tree. It’s gotta fit in their house some way. We drill trees and it takes two people to do it. One holds it and one lines it up. If a person holding it lets go, you’re gonna get covered in a tree. You hope it’s a softer needled tree, but it’s usually the spruces and they poke you.

Did you ever see people fight over a tree?

No, but it’s come close. People are in a good mood, but someone will be looking at a tree and move on and someone will zap the one they were looking at. No arguments or nothing too bad. People are in too good of a holiday spirit to let it get to them.

Are there people out there that really want the Charlie Brown Christmas tree?

I have seen it. They say “I want a Charlie Brown tree.” It’s hard to find because all the trees are perfect, but you find the straggler that fits the mold.

Have you ever met a girl at the lot?

I have not. No phone numbers. I’m taken, so this year I will not be seeking any.

What makes a good tree?

Each one is different. Some people like a wild-looking tree and others like a cone-shaped (one). Some people like a lot of room for ornaments. We see it all. What one person thinks is ugly, another might think it’s the perfect tree.

When is the busiest time?

The two weeks after Thanksgiving and the first two weekends of December.

When it gets really cold, do you have to stand out there?

We have two buildings. We’ll hide out in there and have our hot cider and coffee.