For the first time, Tom Dekker’s driveway in Nijeveen is flanked by dozens of trees. At the end of the driveway there is a small canopy and the tree packer, who packs each tree in a handy net. “I have my own Christmas tree nursery business,” the Nijevener beams. “I always enjoyed walking in the woods and decorating Christmas trees. And now this came my way, how beautiful do you want it?”
The sale is in the driveway, but the tree nursery is a plot in the middle of the forest. “It looks like a forest. Between my Christmas trees there is just grass or moss, or something else that grows in the forest. It’s not a raked nursery. And I think it’s a way that suits that area.”
Tom’s driveway is open two consecutive Saturdays. On this first drizzly Saturday after Sinterklaas evening, things are going well. Tom’s customers from miles around know where to find his driveway. “I think the flow of people here, who come to choose a beautiful tree from you for their Christmas feeling, is a real compliment.”
While Tom is giving a tour of his woodland, the phone rings continuously. He takes a good look at each customer to see which tree suits them best. But one of the more beautiful trees is not for sale. “There is a red ribbon on it, it will be in our own house.”