Live Christmas tree prices up 10%, National Christmas Tree Association says

 

MEQUON, Wis.  (CBS 58) -- We are officially 31 days away from Christmas, and people have started their hunt for their perfect live Christmas tree.

But with the rising price of consumer goods, that tree could leave some with a bit of sticker shock.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, natural Christmas trees could cost 10% more this holiday season.

"This is generally our busiest day of the year," said Sam O'Malley, owner of Trees for Less Nursery in Mequon.

The family-owned tree lot was full of people looking for the right Christmas tree to bring home on Friday, Nov. 24.

"One of our traditions in our family is finding the perfect Christmas tree on Black Friday instead of shopping, and we do it every year and we love it," said Katie Nelson-Suwalski, a woman buying live Christmas tree.

This is Nelson-Suwalski's second year back on the lot. She said this year her family's holiday tree came at a pretty penny.

"We've watched the prices go up, so today was a little startling, but it looked beautiful, so I was willing to pay for the right tree today," said Nelson-Suwalski.

Nelson-Suwalski is not alone in seeing the price increase for a live tree.

"The one we bought last year here was about 80(dollars) and I saw one that I thought looked similar it was 95(dollars)," said Brenda Arnett, a woman buying a live Christmas tree.

The American Christmas Tree Association sent CBS 58 news a statement citing extreme heat and drought in parts of the county which, in turn, impacted this year's tree crops and prices.

"The cost has gone up for us just like other small businesses," said O' Malley.

Despite the rise in cost, people said nothing compares to the real thing.

"It's disappointing, but not enough to stop us," said Arnett.