Many people flocked to Christmas tree lots on Friday, but this year you may be paying more for your tree.
"This year they went up a little bit, nothing crazy just a few bucks," Derek Johnson said. Johnson owns JVI Secret Gardens, which sells Fraser Firs leading up to Christmas.
Johnson said the slight increase is a lingering impact from the economic downturn more than a decade ago.
"The economy went down a little bit, so growers were not putting as many trees in the ground at the time," Johnson explained. "Here we are ten years later, we see that progression because the average Christmas tree, to get to height, takes 10 to 12 years."
This is the latest in a years-long trend of price increases, according to national groups. According to a study done by Square and the National Christmas Tree Association, this year Christmas tree prices are expected to be similar to last year, with the average price of $77 on Black Friday, but the study also notes that from 2015 to 2017, the price of a tree jumped by 17 percent.
The study also says when you buy your tree can determine how much you pay. The groups said the most expensive day to bring home your tree is Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving. People who wait until Christmas Eve to buy their tree can save about 22 percent.
