Jacksonville Christmas tree sellers reveal tricks to getting a good deal

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tony Mitzlaff, manager at the Severts tree lot on Beach Boulevard, said he prides himself on putting people in the Christmas spirit with his trees.

Watch Action News Jax reporter Beth Rousseau break down the cost of Christmas tree's on CBS47 & FOX30 at 5 :55 p.m.

“We just enjoy it. We love the Christmas atmosphere," he told Action News Jax.

The cheer comes at a cost.

“Yesterday I sold a $400 tree. Nowadays it’s kind of common," he said.

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According to growers, the 2008 recession is to blame.

Farms didn’t plan as many trees because families weren’t buying them.

Now, 10 years later, those trees are the ones people want.

“We’re right in that harvest range of 8 to 9-foot tree, and a lot of people look for that 7 to 9-foot range,” described Mitzlaff.

The price you’ll pay for a tree depends on when you buy it.

Costs are highest the weekend immediately after Thanksgiving, spiking on Cyber Monday, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

“As soon as we open the gates at 9 a.m., they’ll be flooding in here. We’ll push a tree through the table every four minutes on average,” said Mitzlaff.

Sellers claimed your best bet at getting a deal starts around Dec.15, but don’t wait too long.

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“This weekend will be huge weekend. We’ll probably push 400 trees out this weekend, just off this lot,” said Mitzlaff.

He said he’s always willing to work with someone on a budget.

“It’s a nice thing to do for people,” he said.

To keep trees fresh for as long as possible, he recommended putting the trunk in hot water first.

He said the water eliminates the sap at the bottom of the trunk and the tree will drink better for the rest of the year.

Click here to try out the Christmas Tree Calculator.

Cox Media Group