Bob Smith

Yule Recognize Him He has sold Christmas trees around Chicago for 52years, with time out for World War II Navy duty. He lives in UpperMichigan. The First Time "In 1940, I came down with a load of trees with afriend." Their lot was at Harlem and Belmont. "This car pulled up.It was a Cadillac. A man got out and asked `How much you want forthat tree?' I said `Five bucks.' He said `Throw it in the trunk'and he gave me $5 and drove away. That's what got me interested intrees. At that time we usually got 75 cents or a dollar." Three Lots Now "I'm at Harlem and Bryn Mawr. We're also at ShoreSchool in Evanston." And at 2787 Gross Point in Evanston nearWilmette. "In Evanston they like the balsams. At Harlem they go forthe spruce. Direct opposites." Here a Month He arrives the day after Thanksgiving, "for the earlybirds." He may leave "The 20th or 21st of December. We're aboutsold out by then." Family Tree Farm At Powers, Mich., "we have 400 acres planted solidwith (Christmas) trees. And we lease 400 more acres. We've put inas high as 25,000-30,000 trees a year. I began planting trees when Igot out of the Navy in '45." Such a tree farm requires planting,spraying, pruning, tagging, cutting. Pioneer Stock "My great-great-grandfather was one of the first tosail into Escanaba, Mich., from Sweden in the 1800s. It's 20 milesfrom Powers," where he was born and raised and graduated high schoolin 1940. Wife Maureen, his high school sweetheart, has a MichiganState home ec degree. Eight children. Several relatives arepartners on the farm. Some work on the lots. Top Picks "I've enjoyed my life, being outside in the fresh air.We're Packer fans." Likes "Wheel of Fortune," Westerns, Reader'sDigest. He and wife usually take a winter vacation to someplace warmlike Florida, Costa Rica.