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Take a deep breath, New York, because for once, it won't smell like Halal-infused garbage. December 1st marks the first day of the holiday season where NYC's sidewalk Christmas tree vendors may legally sell those glorious green tunnels of pine and balsam, offering refuge from the city stench, if only for mere moments.
Why must they wait? One might assume that with drug store Christmas decorations often appearing pre-Halloween, New York City sidewalk Christmas tree vendors would follow suit. Not so, according to an immigrant-targeting 1938 law that prohibits vendors from selling coniferous trees outside the month of December.
Though the law seems outdated by today's standards, it was invoked as recently as last week: The Post reports that real estate mogul Donald Zucker took a certain Flatiron Christmas tree seller to court for setting up shop early. (Fortunately for Flatiron noses, the case was later withdrawn.)
· Landlord Sues to Remove 'Early' Curbside Tree Seller [NY Post]
· Holiday 2014 [Racked NY]