Look beyond ‘premium’ grade trees, that are perfectly proportioned, to lower species, which could have flaws comparable to a bare spot or two, Ms Sidebottom said. You can position the tree in order that the defect faces the wall.
Miscellaneous tree varieties are valued in another way. So if noble fir or Fraser fir is simply too expensive, consider Scotch pine, which could also be cheaper.
Skip the extras like “flocking” or applying fake snow to the tree. Some tree sellers offer this for a further fee. (do it yourself kits can be found, but be prepared to mess up.)
While some shoppers wish to visit the farm to pick a tree, chain stores also sell Christmas trees and will offer lower prices to encourage customers to make other purchases, Sidebottom said. About 29 percent of the trees purchased last 12 months were purchased from chain stores, based on an association survey.
Some prefer to skip regular watering and stray pine needles and buy artificial trees that look increasingly realistic. Prices range from a couple of hundred dollars to over a thousand, however the tree may be used for years, and lots of have built-in lights. Consumer Reports recently reviewed artificial trees.
Here are some questions and answers about Christmas trees:
Where can I cut my very own Christmas tree?
Those who benefit from the outdoors can lower your expenses by cutting down a tree on the US Forest Service. You will need a permit which costs between $5 and $20 and it’s available online or at service offices. About 300,000 permits were sold in 2020, said Janelle Smith, a spokeswoman for the Forest Service. Some forests designate areas for felling, while others offer more flexible guidelines. “Kids like it,” she said.
Many pick-and-cut timber farms, where buyers select the felled tree for them, allow customers to cut, Ms Sidebottom said. You can seek for nearby locations on the Real Christmas Tree Board website.
