How expensive is a christmas tree
Why Christmas Tree Prices Are Soaring This Year
Many companies featured on Money advertise with us. Opinions are our own, but compensation and
in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Learn more about how we make money.
Planning to partake in the time-honored tradition of rockin' around the Christmas tree this holiday season?
Prepare your wallet, and get ready to fight for that fir.
Reports are rolling in from tree farmers and sellers across the country, and they all have a common, interconnected theme: Supply is down, and prices are up. New York's Newsday reported that customers will likely have to pay 10% to 30% more than usual for both live and fake Christmas trees in 2021.
"It’s one for the records," Neil Courtney, manager of the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, told PennLive.com. "You can’t find trees to buy anywhere. I knew it was coming, but it is more serious than we thought."
Why are Christmas trees so expensive right now?
The Christmas tree situation is the perfect storm of factors.
The first is inflation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported earlier this month that prices are generally up 6.2% from last October as the economy recovers from lockdowns and government stimulus packages tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
The second reason for the Christmas tree shortage dates further back. In the wake of the 2007-2009 Great Recession, farmers slashed the number of trees they planted. Because Christmas trees take a decade or so to mature, we're still feeling the effects now.
Third, farmers are coping with climate change, which led to wildfires and droughts this summer in Oregon, a major supplier of Christmas trees for West Coasters.
Oh, and that's all on top of the ongoing supply chain crisis and labor shortage snarling shipping times for the nearly 30 million real Christmas trees Americans purchase every year.
"Truck drivers are just scarce," Chris Saraceni, the owner of Savvy’s Christmas Trees in Plano, Texas, told WFAA. "There’s a delay in getting what you need on time. "
How much do Christmas trees cost?
According to American Christmas Tree Association, or ACTA, the average live tree costs $78 in 2021. The average artificial tree costs $104. (Fake trees, however, give way to better cost savings over time.)
“Manpower, trucking, transportation, all of those things factor in. It just keeps going up and going up,” Kevin Pressley, the co-owner of Simpson’s Produce in Charlotte, North Carolina, told WBTV. "Trees that you could usually buy for $75 — just to give an example — that tree will cost you 100-plus [dollars] this year."
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
The need for a sudden influx of cash can come out of nowhere - the good news is you have options.
Apply today for a personal loan and get back on track. Click below to get started.
Get Started
How to get a Christmas tree in 2021
Christmas tree shortages are an annual concern, given their central place in family holiday traditions. But "we’ve never run out of Christmas trees in the U.S.,” Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, told HuffPost in October.
To avoid any hiccups, ACTA recommends would-be tree buyers head to stores — or forests, or parking lot tents — early. Shop smartly: The best live Christmas trees still smell sappy and don't have pests. Make sure to ask for at least a half-inch of wood to be sawed off the trunk before taking it home for maximum longevity.
If you're shopping online, read reviews and consider how much storage space your fake tree will take up. And buy soon.
"This is not the year to find a tree last-minute, or to wait for a retailer sale. It’s possible that those sales won’t occur, or that when they do, the inventory will be limited," ACTA says. "Plan ahead, and buy early."
Newsletter
Still learning the basics of personal finance? Let us teach you the major money lessons you NEED to know. Get useful tips, expert advice and cute animals in your inbox every week.
By clicking "Sign Up" I agree to receive newsletters and promotions from Money and its partners. I agree to Money's Terms of Use and Privacy Notice and consent to the processing of my personal information.
Newsletter
Subscribe successful!
You will now receive Money's Dollar Scholar newsletter at
Reply anytime to let us know how we can improve. Enjoy!
Make sure we land in your inbox, not your spam folder. We just sent you a welcome email. Sometimes email clients send our first email to a spam or promotions folder. If you don't see us in your inbox, check these folders, then drag and drop the welcome email into your inbox.
More from Money:
10 Hot Holiday Gifts That Are Already Super Hard to Find in Stock
4 Ways the Labor Shortage Could Wreck Your Holiday Plans
Holiday Shoppers Are Hunting for Gifts Early This Year — and It's Not Going Well
How Much Christmas Trees Cost at Top US Retailers in 2021
4 min Read
By Jami Farkas
Share
How Much Christmas Trees Cost at Top US Retailers in 2021
For 2021, let’s rewrite the opening line of this holiday standard.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how pricey are your branches...
This holiday season, they’re pretty pricey indeed. The Associated Press reported that consumers will pay between 10% and 30% more for both live and artificial trees than in 2020, and the selection will be more limited than last year, too. Blame it on growers planting fewer trees several years ago, as well as the supply chain logistics holding up the shipment of artificial varieties, per the report.
Read More: The Real Reasons Some Christmas Trees Cost More Than Others
If a freshly cut tree is for you, it helps to know what size and variety you want, or at least a general budget. GOBankingRates has done some of the legwork for you, pricing live trees at Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart and Williams Sonoma. These prices were gathered in Southern California, and remember price and availability will vary by location.
Here’s a look at what you can expect to spend on your tree this year.
Home Depot
- Tree type: Noble Fir
- Height: 4′ – 5′
- Cost: $71.98
- Tree type: Scotch Pine
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $74.98
- Tree type: Blue Spruce
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $77.98
- Tree type: Douglas Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $79.98
- Tree type: Grand Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $79.98
- Average cost of a tree at Home Depot: $90.06
If You’re Looking: Seasonal Jobs Come With Higher Chance of Full-Time Opportunity This Year
Home Depot (Continued)
- Tree type: Turkish Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $79.
98
- Tree type: Abies Noble Fir
- Height: 6′-7′
- Cost: $79.98
- Tree type: Noble Fir
- Height: 6′-7′
- Cost: $79.98
- Tree type: Nordmann Fir
- Height: 6′-7′
- Cost: $79.98
- Tree type: Abies Noble Fir
- Height: 7′ – 8′
- Cost: $99
- Average cost of a tree at Home Depot: $90.06
Read More: 6 Holiday Purchases That You Should Only Make at Costco
Home Depot (Continued)
- Tree type: Nordmann Fir
- Height: 7′-8′
- Cost: $99
- Tree type: Fraser Fir
- Height: 5′-5.
5′
- Cost: $99.98
- Tree type: Fraser Fir
- Height:6′-6.5′
- Cost: $119
- Tree type: Abies Noble Fir
- Height: 8′-9′
- Cost: $139
- Average cost of a tree at Home Depot: $90.06
Start Now: Brilliant Holiday Budget Tips From Financial Advisors
Lowe’s
- Tree type: Douglas Fir
- Height: 7′ – 8′
- Cost: $59.98
- Tree type: Fraser Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $89.98
- Tree type: Nordmann Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $116.58
- Tree type: Spruce
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $126.
19
- Tree type: Grand Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $130.04
- Tree type: Noble Fir
- Height: 8′ – 9′
- Cost: $144
- Tree type: Noble Fir
- Height: 5′ – 6′
- Cost: $149.27
- Tree type: Noble Fir
- Height: 9′ – 10′
- Cost: $179
- Average cost of a tree at Lowe’s: $124.38
Help: 50 Tips for Saving Money During the Holidays
Walmart
- Tree type: Black Hill Spruce
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $59.99
- Tree type: Scotch Pine
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $74.
99
- Tree type: Blue Spruce
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $77.99
- Tree type: Michigan Douglas Fir
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $79.99
- Tree type: Fraser Fir
- Height: 5′
- Cost: $99.99
- Tree type: Fraser Fir
- Height: 6′ – 7′
- Cost: $109.99
- Average cost of a tree at Walmart: $83.82
Share this article:
About the Author
Jami Farkas
Jami Farkas holds a communications degree from California State University, Fullerton, and has worked as a reporter or editor at daily newspapers in all four corners of the United States. She brings to GOBankingRates experience as a sports editor, business editor, religion editor, digital editor — and more. With a passion for real estate, she passed the real estate licensing exam in her state and is still weighing whether to take the plunge into selling homes — or just writing about selling homes.
Read More
Check Out the Next Article
Sponsored Links by Zergnet
Christmas tree in Ukraine. Prices for a Christmas tree on Prom.ua
OSALADI Christmas Tree Topper, shiny metal wire Star Tree Topper for Christmas decoration
In a warehouse in Ternopil
Delivery across Ukraine
350 UAH
2 Buy 900Tech.nomix.no te
Yostyle Christmas tree topper with LED light topper star for Christmas tree LED
In stock in Ternopil
Delivery across Ukraine
360 UAH
288 UAH
Buy
Techno. mix.te
Christmas tree with a bump and silver potassium 1.8 m
Delivery in Ukraine
to 1,815 UAH
of 2 sellers
1 815 UAH GRNN
Buy
Tideru Company
Christmas Tree with cone and viburnum silver 2.0 m
0002 Buy
TIDERU Company
Christmas tree with a bump and silver potato 2.2 m
Delivery in Ukraine
to 2 640 UAH
from 2 sellers
2 640 UAH
Tideru Company
Rozhdestvenskaya Christmas tree with cone and viburnum Silver 1.5 m
Delivery across Ukraine
for 1 210 UAH
from 2 sellers
1 210 UAH
Buy
Tideru Company
Rapor for Christmas tree, black rug 30 inches for Christmas party
at the warehouse
Delivery in Ukraine
250 UAH
200 UAH
Techno.mix.te
9000 3D Christmas treeat a well 148LED 9Ol000
115 UAH/Pog.m
97.75 UAH/Pog. m
Buy
Children's fabrics wholesale and retail
Artificial New Year Christmas tree 180 cm
in warehouse
Delivery
Delivery 9000from 3 sellers RIZZZHENA YALINKA
In warehouse
Delivery in Ukraine
to 250 UAH
from 2 sellers
250 UAH
Buy
Book Khata
table lamp decorative Christmas tree Rozhdestvenskaya 75267 0 stock
Delivery within Ukraine
186 UAH
Buy
F.UA, The same store
EGLO table lamp decorative Christmas tree Rozhdestvenskaya Little 75264 1.95 W
In warehouse
Delivery 9000 146 UAH
Buy
F.ua, the same shop
Shust i Shunya. Rizdvyana yalinka. Sheffler А.Ol000 in Ukraine
1 450 uah
Buy
Electroboom online store
Melissa&Doug creative kit Volumetric shiny stickers Christmas tree and gingerbread (MD8404) 9Ol000 350 UAH
Buy
KIDSBOOK
Christmas tree 1. 8 m. Highest category (TD180012)
Delivery across Ukraine
1 250 UAH
Buy0002 Online store "I-Buy"
Artificial Christmas tree Christmas tree with cones and viburnum 1.5m
Delivery in Ukraine
at 1 210 UAH
from 2 sellers
1 210 UAH
Buy
Tideru Company
Christmas LED star for the tree OSALADI on batteries 3хААА
Delivery across Ukraine
499 UAH
Buy
timer and remote control 9Ol000
Buy
Online store "Neiroli"
Christmas tree in a bottle glowing with LED lights / Colorful Christmas tree
Ending
Delivery in Ukraine 9LOL Christmas calendar Surprise! Bling-A-Tree Advent Calendar
Delivery from Kyiv
850 UAH
Buy
Hippo-Children's goods
Christmas tree on the stand 19cm Decoupage Rozhdestvenskoye Jewelry Figure
Delivery from Lutsk
9000 572 572 572 572 572 572 572 572 572 572 572 572 UAH 457. 60 UAH
Buy
Nebbia24.com
Rozhdestvenskaya Christmas tree Deer Grundig LED wood 35cm Figure Brend of Europe
Delivery from Lutsk
1 309 1,00024
9000 NEBLAYMILIKA KUKHOL RIZDV'yan Yalinka
in a warehouse in Rivne
Delivery in Ukraine
137 UAH
Buy
Internet store "Temile"
The largest tree-DW-02.12.2021
Photo: Sophie Dissemond/DW
CultureGermany
Sophie Dissemond | Nina Bryantseva
December 2, 2021
The Dortmund Christmas market is open to visitors. However, the new restrictions could spoil the Christmas spirit.
https://www.dw.com/ru/prazdnichnyj-rynok-s-samoj-bolshoj-rozhdestvenskoj-elju-germanii-otkrylsja-nesmotrja-na-pandemiju/a-59971182
Dortmund's famous Christmas market is lit up with many iridescent lights. The alluring smell of German sausages, mulled wine and roasted almonds spreads in the air. And in the center of all this splendor is the world's largest Christmas tree. The tree reaches 45 meters in height and weighs 40 tons. It was installed on November 22, and it will stand until December 30 - if the pandemic does not make its own adjustments.
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, of which there are more than 48,000, is a real event for Dortmund, and the mayor of the city has the honorary right to light the Christmas tree.
"Things were a little different this year," says Verena Winkelhaus, Managing Director of the Westphalian Market Trade Association. She noted that due to the pandemic, the ceremony itself was held without guests - instead, an online broadcast was organized. Winkelhaus stressed that despite such changes, she is glad that the Christmas market has opened at all.
Rule 2G and other innovations
This year the organizers tried to make the Christmas market more spacious so as not to create a large crowd. Eight new light installations await guests, which means that in the evening it will become even brighter and more festive in the city center.
However, not everyone will be able to visit the Christmas market. The Christmas market is subject to the 2G rule, so only those who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID-19 will be able to enjoy the atmosphere in the square. In addition, all visitors to the Christmas market must wear protective masks.
Some say more people attended the Christmas market before the pandemic Photo: Sophie Dissemond/DWCoronavirus measures against the spirit of Christmas
Many criticize such restrictions. A worker at one of the Christmas stalls, who asked not to be named, complains about the introduction of the 2G rule. She believes that it would be enough to oblige everyone to be tested for coronavirus. However, she hasn't noticed much of a difference yet. The woman notes that on weekends it is especially crowded, "as if everything is in order. "
But there are other opinions on this matter. Salesman Elmar Gusejnov said there was tension in the air right now. "We have concerns that the Christmas market may be closed," he says. However, he is sure that the measures taken are working, and the majority of market guests comply with the rules. By the way, according to Elmar, the atmosphere is much more relaxed during the day than in the evening, when there are more people. However, with more space this year, the Christmas market feels safer.
Elli Hadjibeigi is happy to be back in this festive atmosphere after a year-long break. However, she is concerned about the rise in COVID-19 cases. “I hope that people will be vigilant and get tested for coronavirus more often,” she says.
Even more crowded at night
Marion and Jürgen Kiehl are pleasantly surprised by how the fair is going in 2021. The couple volunteers at a mobile AIDS care center in Dortmund.
2G rule introduced for visitors to the Christmas market Photo: Sophie Dissemond/DW "People are very relaxed and don't feel controlled," says Marion Kiel, despite the number of spot checks on documents carried out at the market.