As the holiday season approaches, New Yorkers are facing a steep price tag for their Christmas trees, with some sellers charging as much as $220 for a 6- to 7-foot tree in Manhattan.
According to Willy Burkhardt and Daniela Petrova, a Manhattan couple who recently splurged on a 7-foot tree for $89, the cost is worth it to get into the holiday spirit. "It's not the same without it," Petrova said, as she carried her newly purchased tree home. "Putting on the ornaments and the whole tradition of it – it's just magical."
However, with rising rents, food costs, and tariffs on imported goods, many New Yorkers are finding the price of a Christmas tree to be exorbitant. Diyarza Landscaping owner Ruibel Diyarza attributes the higher prices by citing unchanged salaries for her employees. "We know the economy is bad, but also we know salary is the same," she said.
Despite the economic uncertainty, some local sellers are keeping their prices steady, including those at Whole Foods and Home Depot, which offered a 6- to 7-foot Fraser fir for $64 on Staten Island. Experts recommend checking tree quality by running your hands over a branch before buying – if it's full of needles, it may be drying out.
Ariana Lamser, who was shopping for her parents at Whole Foods in Manhattan, emphasized the importance of having a well-shaped tree with a tapering shape to ensure it stands upright. Meanwhile, Merry Time Christmas Trees' Vincent DiVino prioritizes keeping prices low on Fraser fir, balsam, white pine, and blue spruce trees.
DiVino also guarantees his trees, offering a free replacement if they die – an unusual offer in the industry. "I guarantee every tree," he said. "And how many people guarantee the trees? I guarantee the trees."
Despite these offers, the prices of Christmas trees can be daunting for many New Yorkers. To better understand the market, Gothamist is tracking reader submissions and invites you to share your experience of buying a Christmas tree this holiday season by filling out their Google form.
According to Willy Burkhardt and Daniela Petrova, a Manhattan couple who recently splurged on a 7-foot tree for $89, the cost is worth it to get into the holiday spirit. "It's not the same without it," Petrova said, as she carried her newly purchased tree home. "Putting on the ornaments and the whole tradition of it – it's just magical."
However, with rising rents, food costs, and tariffs on imported goods, many New Yorkers are finding the price of a Christmas tree to be exorbitant. Diyarza Landscaping owner Ruibel Diyarza attributes the higher prices by citing unchanged salaries for her employees. "We know the economy is bad, but also we know salary is the same," she said.
Despite the economic uncertainty, some local sellers are keeping their prices steady, including those at Whole Foods and Home Depot, which offered a 6- to 7-foot Fraser fir for $64 on Staten Island. Experts recommend checking tree quality by running your hands over a branch before buying – if it's full of needles, it may be drying out.
Ariana Lamser, who was shopping for her parents at Whole Foods in Manhattan, emphasized the importance of having a well-shaped tree with a tapering shape to ensure it stands upright. Meanwhile, Merry Time Christmas Trees' Vincent DiVino prioritizes keeping prices low on Fraser fir, balsam, white pine, and blue spruce trees.
DiVino also guarantees his trees, offering a free replacement if they die – an unusual offer in the industry. "I guarantee every tree," he said. "And how many people guarantee the trees? I guarantee the trees."
Despite these offers, the prices of Christmas trees can be daunting for many New Yorkers. To better understand the market, Gothamist is tracking reader submissions and invites you to share your experience of buying a Christmas tree this holiday season by filling out their Google form.
but at the same time I get why some people wanna splurge on it. My grandma used to buy a tree every year and make it all sparkly and pretty, it was like a family tradition 
. But if you're on a tight budget, $64 sounds way more reasonable 
. And yeah, DiVino's guarantee thing is kinda cool 
. I just wish some of the prices wouldn't be so steep considering how many other things are getting more expensive these days 
. Anyway, gotta wonder what people think about the whole tree-buying experience - is it worth it or do you just skip it altogether? 
I remember last year I got a 6ft tree for like 40 bucks from dis guy on the street corner, feels like they're just trying to rip ppl off now 
I'm totes with willy & daniela on dis one!!! $220 for a 6-7ft tree in manhattan tho? 
some ppl gotta get it thru 
but honestly, isnt it just a tree lol 
still cant deny the magic of christmas trees tho 
I mean, who needs that much cash when u can find deals at home dep or whole foods 64 bucks on staten island is a steal!!! 
- prices are crazy right now. like i'm good with just a small tree from the lot near my place, $40 or whatever. why do we need to break the bank for a tree that's gonna end up in a corner after 2 weeks? and yeah, those free replacements sound nice, vincent divino is straight fire 
.
But for most people, it's just gonna be another financial stressor at the end of the year 
. Maybe we should consider more affordable options or like, DIY tree decorating or something? 
. I mean, have you ever driven through the snow-covered hills with no Wi-Fi signal? It's like a digital detox 
... but in a good way! Anyway, back to Christmas trees... I think it's weird how we put so much emphasis on having an expensive tree just for aesthetics. In my family, we always got this tiny little spruce from the park and decorated it with hand-me-downs from our cousins' houses 