Le sapin de Vendée, a micro-industry that focuses on quality and ultra-proximity

See my news
Follow Le Journal du Pays Yonnais

Fir trees as far as the eye can see on land hidden from view, in the Vendée countryside. The image may seem surprising in the land of mogette and fine sand beaches.

And yet, Vendée counts two fir tree producers located a few kilometers from each other, in Essarts-en-Bocage: Ô vent des sapins and Les sapins vendéens.

Both chose to cultivate their trees in organic farming.

Small thumbs in a national market dominated by the giants of Morvan, the two fir plantations of Vendée rely on quality and the ultra-local outlet.

In France, around 20% of homes are equipped with natural firfor the holidays. 6.4 million fir trees are purchased for a market estimated at €65 million. 80% of Christmas trees sold in France are Frenchaccording to the Valhor plant inter-professional association. The Burgundy-Franche-Comté region alone concentrates a quarter of the production!

Suffice to say that with 28 hectares of cultivation for Ô vent des sapins et 15 hectares for the Vendée fir treesthis Vendée horticultural micro-industry appears as “outsiders”.

And yet, by playing the ultra-local card, the two farms have made their place in the landscape. They bring each one to life two employees per year.

During the month of November, the period which concentrates most of the operators' efforts, around twenty seasonal workers are hired at Ô vent des sapins.

20,000 trees per year

Created in 1997 by Albert Chenu, this fir grove was taken over two years ago, upon his retirement, by Valérie Picard and Fabien Blanchet.

A double professional reconversion for these two partners, who seized this opportunity to resume fir production. Here, 100,000 feet grow quietly.

We sell 20,000 trees per year and we replant 25,000.

The turnover of around €400,000 per year occurs during the four crucial weeks, from the beginning of November to the beginning of December.

The rest of the year, “we prune the fir trees, we maintain the plots”.

Like most operators, 95% of production is focused on the Normanwhile the Epicea and the Pungens are cultivated on the margins.

This organic production concentrates its outlets locally, playing the card of the requirements of a clientele increasingly concerned about the origin and quality of the trees.

Most of the trees sold stay in Vendée and a small part goes to the neighboring departments (Loire-Atlantique, Charente-Maritime, Maine-et-Loire, Deux-Sèvres).

Direct sales popular

The ultra-local outlet is also what we are banking on Samuel Hermouet44 ans.

Alone at the head of the SARL Les sapins vendéens, this forest manager the rest of the year, converted the family cereal farm into a fir forest in 2016.

“Out of passion for trees and forests,” he whispers. “The fir is a resinous tree, it is resistant and grows well in Vendée, even if it needs water. »

During the drought of 2022, the fir forest experienced “only 1% loss”, that is to say.

The operator plants 10,000 subjects each year. He sells about 8,000 every Christmasincluding 1,000 for direct sale. And 95% in Vendée.

We have a lot of associations, schools, works councils and individuals who come to collect their tree on site: there is a real expectation for the premises.

He has planned mulled wine, horse-drawn carriage and sweets during the two weekends of excitement.

Large stores and florists make the bulk of sales.

The horticulturist has just invested in a new land of approximately one hectare in La Roche-sur-Yonto focus even more on what makes it strong: producing as close as possible to its customers. A new bet. “Because for six or seven years, we only invest without gaining anything…”

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.