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Why are Christmas Trees costing so much this year?
If you've been shopping for a live Christmas tree in New York City, you might still be recovering from sticker shock. FOX 5 NY's Kendal Green has more on why it's costing more money this year.
NEW YORK - If you've already gotten your Christmas tree this year, you probably know what kind of rude surprise anyone who hasn't gotten one yet is in for: The prices.
At Dave’s Tree Farm on the Upper East Side, prices have gone far beyond the days when people might remember getting a decent tree for $70 or less.
Far beyond.
"10-to-12-foot range, these go for $575," said Joseph Smith, the main salesman at Dave's Tree Farm.
Polling from the American Christmas Tree Association suggests, despite inflation concerns, 94% of people plan to display a Christmas tree in their home while a little under a quarter plan to display a live Christmas tree, which is somewhat good news for Smith.
Arborist Evan Dackow, owner of Jolly Green Tree tells FOX 5 a few variables are at play, putting pressure on tree vendors like Smith.
"One is the cost of labor has gone up substantially over the last 3 or 4 years since COVID, everything’s become more expensive," Dackow explained.
Another variable depends on how tall you want your tree to be.
"You know 10–12-foot trees, you got to go back a foot a year. So now 13 years, 2008 when everything crashed, that’s a factor," he continued.
Farmers planted what they could afford that year, which resulted in fewer tall trees this year.
Regardless of how much a Christmas Tree costs or why, time is ticking at stands like Dave's at 67th and Lexington, which is set to close Sunday.