Christmas trees cost more this year. Maybe it’s time to cut your own

A US forest service initiative encourages people to cut their own trees in an effort to maintain healthy forests

Perched atop a snow-laced ridge in the Mendocino national forest of northern California, the perfect Christmas tree seemed to glow in the speckled light. With delicate needles and a small stature, the 6ft evergreen was one of a few thousand available to be taken home by families participating in a government program encouraging people to harvest their own tree.

The decades-old initiative, run by the US Forest Service, has become a beloved tradition for those seeking a side of adventure along with a cherished tree. Each year, 200,000 to 300,000 trees are taken home from forests across the country. It's part of a seasonal cull that forest managers say improves a forest's health and helps weed out potential fire hazards.

But compared with commercial tree farm sales, self-harvesting is a vastly underutilized option. Roughly 21m Christmas trees were bought last year according to the National Christmas Tree Association, a grower's trade group, with consumers forking over more than $70 on average a pop. Inflation and low supply are pushing prices even higher, with an expected 10% bump this holiday season. Obtaining a permit to cut your own tree, by contrast, costs between $5 and $25, and some are even free.