How Much Does a Real Christmas Tree Cost?

What a real tree costs nationally

The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) surveys buyers after each season. Its survey of the 2023 season found a median price of $75 for a real tree, with about 21.6 million real trees bought (NCTA). Earlier surveys found a median of $74.30 in 2017, $66.43 in 2018 and $76.87 in 2019 (NCTA). Before 2017 NCTA reported an average rather than a median, so older figures are not directly comparable.

NCTA says the supply of farm-grown trees has been tight since 2016, which has kept prices firm (NCTA). Across all US farms, sales of cut Christmas trees reached $553 million in 2022, up from $377 million in 2017 (USDA ERS).

What cut-your-own farms charge

Choose-and-cut is the single most common way Americans buy a real tree: in NCTA's survey of 2023 buyers, 25% bought at a choose-and-cut farm (NCTA).

We track the published prices of every farm on U-Pick Spots. Among the 116 farms that list a price per tree or by size, the lowest starting price is $15 and the typical starting price is $70 (2025 and 2026 prices). Each city page shows the range for that area, and each farm page shows the farm's own price and the season it applies to.

The three ways farms price trees

• One flat price. Any tree up to a certain height costs the same, often with a higher price for very tall trees. This is good value if you want a big tree.
• By the foot. You pay for each foot of height, so a 6-foot tree costs less than an 8-foot one. Measure carefully (see our size guide).
• By size band. A price list with steps, such as up to 6 feet, 6 to 8 feet and over 8 feet. Many farms also charge more for premium species such as Fraser or noble fir.

What else to budget for

• Admission or parking. A few farms charge an entry or parking fee on busy weekends, sometimes credited toward a tree.
• Shaking, netting and drilling. Usually included, but not everywhere.
• Wreaths, garland and a stand. Most farm barns sell them, and a stand that holds at least a gallon of water is worth buying if yours is small.
• Activities. Hayrides, Santa visits and treats are free at some farms and extra at others.

Is cutting your own cheaper?

It can be. Square's sales data analyzed with NCTA showed the average price of a tree sale at Square sellers rising from $64 in 2015 to $73 in 2017, with prices highest on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and lower in the last week before Christmas (NCTA and Square). A flat-priced farm can be cheaper than a lot for a tall tree, while a lot can be cheaper for a small one. The bigger difference is freshness: a tree you cut yourself goes straight into water, while lot trees are often cut weeks earlier.