New York City Christmas Trees Top $1,000
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Between the presents, the decorations, and the food for family feasts, there's no doubt the holiday season can get very pricey very quickly.
But what about the tree?
As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reports, there are some trees for sale in New York City that can set buyers back over a thousand dollars.
Heather Neville is known around town as the NYC Tree Lady. She says that you can buy a tree for $25, but can realistically spend anywhere up to a grand in the city.
"Are you serious?" asked one puzzled New Yorker.
"I don't think that's rational, that's crazy," said another.
Neville operates five Christmas tree stands in the city and sells at least ten types of exotic trees. She says that it costs to bring these specialty trees into Manhattan.
"Trucking costs go up every year, truckers don't want to drive through here and rents go up," she explains.
Manhattan resident Elizabeth Allison has no problem making the trip to Stew Leonard's in Yonkers to buy her tree. The savings, she says, are worth it.
"Yes, I'm a traitor to my neighborhood," she said. "I come up here for the cheaper trees."
Another man, George, told 1010 WINS' John Montone he picked up an artificial tree at Walmart for less than $100.
"A thousands dollars, I think that is crazy," he said.
The most expensive trees on the lot in Yonkers are the ten foot Cathedral firs. The cost -- $120.
Stew Leonard's employee Luis Montalvo says that for $20 you can get a nice 6-foot tree and a friendly holiday smile.
