How much for a Xmas tree?

[threebeansalad]

Just an informal poll: How much did you pay for your live Christmas tree?

This year we cut our own. Price varied by species, regardless of size. We cut an 7.5 ft blue spruce for $15. Most of the firs were $25, but I prefer spruce.

Last year we went to a tree yard and paid $30 for a similar tree. I think we'll return to our $15 place again next year!

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Oh Kudos! You have gotten such a great deal. I just choked some years ago when trees went over the $20 mark around here.

That's one of the reasons we just bit the bullet and went for an artificial tree...besides the humongous fire hazard and 2 little teeny kids in the house.

It's been 7 or 8 years and getting a little worn, but we have grown to love our little skinny tree. It wasn't even one of these 'pre-lit' ones.

[JanH]

We finally had to give up the live tree because some in the family were allergic to them. We used to get them from a lion's club charity tent. They were a lot cheaper than the commercial ones. Then I think we got a few from walmart. Here they were really fresh and reasonable. But now we have a skinny artificial one--gave the big one to DS and DIL last year for their first Christmas tree. They have a house with a high ceiling.

[PRICEPLUS]

Wife just went and bought a live tree and paid more than I ever would. It is her money though! Meanwhile the expensive artificial tree sits in the garage. Sheesh!!!

[rduell]

We had to give up on live trees also because of DS#3's allergies. But when we did buy the last one (about 3 years ago) we paid $45. Too much for me with all the other expenses of the season.

[Diolla]

We go to a little tree farm near here. Our little tree <5' was $25 and more than worth it.

[Bookie]

Live Christmas trees are not allowed in my apartment complex.

Reminders were distributed right after Thanksgiving to underscore that fact.

[Thrifty Ray]

$5 for the tree permit. We also incur gas costs getting there (about 40 miles each way)...but because we take firewood, hot cocoa, snacks and make a day of it...the gas expense is considered part of family time budget rather than Christmas tree budget.

[cicy33]

cost saving is the biggest reason I bought an artificial tree. I spent about 50 on a tree about 4 years ago, it is about 6' tall very nice and bushy and will probably last another 3 or 4 years. Final cost that I will spend over an 8 year period: $50. Someone who buys one every year for $20 : $160.00. I think that artificial ones can be very nice if you are selective. I bought mine as the last one, got a good savings and it has lasted. Two other reasons I chose not to buy real: I have to get rid of it after xmas and a tree must be cut and die in order to have one.

[PrincessPerky]

well while the tree was grown for you, it was often planted for the whole reason of cutting....I like to support the christmas tree industry, it is a good industry in many ways, they make money while doing something good for the environment, very rare

and I compost my old tree..ok I toss it in the woods..but same diff. just natural composting.

Anyway we paid $22 for a 'plantable tree' and a real tree..both are small..but the plantable option is very cool, I have the one from last year out back, and being an evergreen it is hard for me to kill it (I have a brown thumb)

[Ima saver]

We use to buy a tree with a root ball so we could plant it. But often they died because they had been indoors for too long. The last live tree about 2 years ago was about $50. Last year, I bought a small artificial one and we are using it this year too.

[kealina]

live trees have to get imported to hawaii so they can get pretty expensive... i think around $40 or $50 for a smaller one and even more for the larger ones... we just have an artificial tree that we got free when our neighbor was tossing it out...

[cicy33]

The other problem with live trees is that it is hard to keep them for very long indoors. I like to put mine up after tday and not take it down until the weekend after xmas. way too long for a real tree and I don't want to have to worry about watering it! Like posted above I too have a very brown thumb. I am amazed my kids are alive somedays.

[genmed]

I have found memories of live Christams trees when we were growing up. My father-in-law always gets a live "planted" tree he puts outside each year. We have a little ornament tree (savings a lot of time "decorating) that we put special ornaments from the family acquired either growing up, made by kids in the family and so forth.

[Lori63]

Don't yell at me-$50. I know, I know, Insane! But, I am such a tightwad about everything, and hubby likes to go to a certain garden center every year and get one. It is absolutely gorgeous, but yikes!

[PrincessPerky]

If you are going to splurge why not splurge on christmas!

[threebeansalad]

Don't fret Lori-- my parents paid $42 + tax for their tree. I think it really varies my region of the country and seller.

[kashi]

I got my 7' tree for $34 from a Lions Club tree stand. It's gorgeous. It makes the whole house smell so wonderful. I've considered a fake tree, but it's the smell I love.

Last year we paid about $45 from a greenhouse's "discount" tree section. I'll be finding the Lions Club again next year...

[pearlieq]

Nothing, thank you.

We bought an artifical tree at Mejier 3 or 4 years ago for less than $50 and it's still going strong.

I just can't bear wasting money on a live tree, plus the mess and inconvenience. But what actually really gets me is the environmental impact. I just find it so sad that so many living trees are hacked down and stuffed indoors just to serve as decorations for a few weeks.

Even in the best of cities where they mulch the trees, I still think they do us the most good living and unmolested.

[PrincessPerky]

But those liuve trees are planted solely to be cut down..meaning those tree farms would be put to other most likly industrial use if not needed for christmas.

from a tree site
-Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife.
-Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature. (my note, thats 7 years of air cleaning)
-98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
-73 million new Christmas trees will be planted this year.
-Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill. (my note you might get longer but you are promoting a company that many will not keep theirs for more than 2 years)
-Real Christmas trees are involved in less than one-tenth of one percent of residential fires and only when ignited by some external ignition sources.(so while scary, normal safe precautions are pretty effective against flaming trees)
-93% of real Christmas tree consumers recycle their tree in community recycling programs, their garden or backyard. (those that don't, well how long can a tree last in a dump anyway? les than the fake one..and nice home for animals in the meantime)
-An acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.


There is more, but I firmly believe that a real live tree is GOOD for the environmant (though I do stick with local trees)
Heh, by the time I have grandkids bet the offer 'organic' trees