Checking in with...Jim Brancucci:

Jim Brancucci is manager of the Newport Dunes Waterfront and Resort Christmas tree lot, which is being run in-house for the first time this year. In past years, the resort has rented some of their land out for other sellers but Brancucci said in this economy, the resort is finding new ways to generate revenue. He sat down with the Daily Pilot Thursday to talk business, Christmas and everything between. Below are excerpts from the conversation:

How many trees do you think you’ll sell this year?

Between 1,400 and 1,500 trees.

Where do these trees come from?

They come out of Oregon. In fact the cutter, the tree hauler, told me, said there’s snow all over them. So these are going to be very fresh, first-day cut.

So these come from the forests of Oregon? If a Christmas tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Only Santa could hear it.

So these trees are only one day old? You had anything jump out of the trees yet? Any animals traveling with these?

Only spiders. We had a delivery person last year, he had two bats come out.

Really?

They opened them up, he heard a sound, he opened up the tree [laughs] and these two bats come flying out.

What scares you more, bats or spiders?

Neither.

What are you afraid of?

It’s hard to say, I served in Vietnam. Not to sound corny or anything, but I think I’m afraid of disappointing children. If they found out there’s no Santa, and I’m the cause of it.

Do you flock trees here?

No, not here.

So do you tell them to go flock themselves?

No, a guy told me that! [laughs] No, if we don’t have it I tell them where they can go to get it.

Do you guys get any competition from the Festivus holiday? Are you familiar with Festivus?

No, I’m not.

It’s from the show Seinfeld. Have you ever seen Seinfeld? The very famous show with Jerry Seinfeld?

No I’m sorry. I don’t watch much TV.

Do you ever get sick of the smell of the trees?

Oh no. You can’t imagine the smell in the morning. The pine fragrance. Especially the Douglas fir has a sweet pine smell.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

1131 Back Bay Drive

Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (949) 279-4507