Lhe Scrive nursery, in Estibeaux, sometimes produces some disappointments. Saturday, November 30 in the morning, Hugo came from Habas with his father and grandfather to collect a tree. To his great dismay, last year's conifer, named after him, had lost too many branches for the taste of its elders to deserve another ride in tow. Hugo, the tree, remained at the dock, destined for another home. “How are we going to put the blame on that one? », asked the little boy, green with rage, to his father. As Christmas approaches, certain children's questions invite silence.
Hugo et Hugo.
Matthieu Sartre
For the second year in a row, the Scrive company, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary next year, is offering Norman fir trees, “the strongest”, according to Antoine Scrive, for rental and in pots. The modus operandi is simple: “We give customers a rental contract, like for a car, as well as instructions and a saucer to be able to water them. At the end of the holidays (second week of 2025, editor's note), they bring back the tree. Those who want to give them a name do so, they are all numbered in any case. It's good to find them. »
Three years and over
Planted in a pot in the spring, the tree remains in cultivation during the summer and fall then is rented as soon as the holidays begin. Its commercial life lasts three years. “And afterward, we don’t really know,” explains Antoine Scrive, “but they could reforest. Some individuals are interested in their garden. » Like a new life.
Matthieu Sartre
Antoine Scrive, on the right, briefs his tenants.
Although it germinated elsewhere, the idea of leasing fir trees is a virtuous marketing operation which is part of an important turning point for the Estibeaussaise nursery. The company, recognized among French and European professionals for its Indian lilacs, Japanese maples and Judas trees, has chosen “for six years, agroecology. We no longer use synthetic products for our crops (1), recalls Antoine Scrive, spokesperson for his seven colleagues. We had decided not to make any more trees, also because of competition from supermarkets. Faced with demand, we chose to rent them, so as not to condemn them at Christmas. »
Last year, around fifty conifers were proposed, there are double this year. The experience was a success in every way. “I had my doubts, but all the trees came back clean. On the one hand because they are well conditioned to stay indoors, on the other hand, because the customers have a thoughtful approach and take care of the trees. » To perhaps find them better later.
Matthieu Sartre
Exceptional convoy: the conifer transhumance season is in full swing.
How does it work?
Scrive offers four sizes of trees from 1 meter to 2.25 m (pot included) for a price between 32 and 54 euros (5 euros are donated to the pediatric department of Dax hospital). The company indicates several maintenance conditions, such as avoiding heat sources, banning artificial snow and close contact with a cat. She also recommends “talking to the tree” and “putting Mariah Carey on it.”
(1) The Scrive Nursery has 23 hectares of fields on which it has “replaced chemical weedkillers with natural mulch made from finely ground pine (called “fine”), produced in the Landes, near Dax”.
