CHASE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Christmas trees are one of many things that increased in price this year.
But, a local farm is finding ways to keep its costs down.
Ski Farms in Oconto County had to raise its prices this year, but not by much.
“We were at $45 dollars for under 10 foot and $55 dollars for over ten foot, this year to keep it simple, we just did $52 dollars per tree,” says owner Jonathan Szczepanski.
“To keep costs low, we’ve integrating grazing with sheep to keep down fuel costs which has really helped.”
Ski Farms also has a small staff of mostly family and friends.
“Our supplier sent out a surcharge from when we preordered Christmas trees last year that affected the spring planting this year, and also gasoline prices,” says Szczepanski.
Lindsey Przybylski is one of many who came out Sunday to cut down her own tree, a tradition she started two years ago to support local tree farms.
“I think the prices are great, the size of the trees vary but most of them are very large, they’re full, and they’re trimmed really nice, so you are getting the best bang for your buck.”
Przybylski chose this farm because you can pick any tree for the same price.
“Other places I’ve been seeing varying between like $40 to $60 or more dollars, you’re’ seeing smaller trees for the $40 dollar range, and then the $60 dollar ones are not this size.”
Jill Schoenwalder agrees.
“I love that every tree is the same price, we’ve gone elsewhere in the past and the tree ends up being double what you think it is in price.”
Schoenwalder has noticed an increase in price from farms across Northeast Wisconsin.
“Some of the places we went in the past had posted their prices on Facebook and they’ve gone up significantly.”
Ski Farms has only been open three years, but Szczepanski says he’s seen an increase in business.
“Our sales have been extraordinary.”
According to the Real Christmas Tree Board, the price of a tree nationwide is up anywhere from 5%-15% compared to last year.
