Tips For Buying The Perfect Christmas Tree

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - You may have already seen Christmas trees strapped to the top of cars and vans, but if you're looking for a deal while tree shopping, cheap isn't always the best option.

For many it's a tradition to take the family to pick out the perfect Christmas Tree on the day after Thanksgiving.

"I like to get the lights up early to be able to enjoy them," Mike Roscoe said.

Bedner's Farm Market on Bower Hill Road in Upper Saint Clair opens its doors and lot every year at this time so families can find their tree and a holiday wreath made-to-order.

"We just bought a new Steelers train set that we want to put under it. Tall, not too thick and just preferably something soft. Soft needle trees," Roscoe said.

Among the 200 trees on the lot, there's one type of tree owner Richard Rostron says a lot of his customers always ask for.

"Most of the people want a Frazer Fir. They're really nice. They're easy to decorate. They're soft. It's just an all around nice tree," Rostron said.

As for the cost of trees this year:

"The same as last year. The freight was the same as last year getting them here. Just pretty much the same," Rostron said.

However, buyer beware. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's good quality. Trees are graded one through three with a grade one tree being the best.

Bedner's is one of the few places that carries only grade one trees.

"These trees come from North Carolina down there. They grow them here, but they don't get as full down there in North Carolina," Rostron said.

If you want to beat the crowds and get the best pick, the busiest time for Christmas tree buying is usually next weekend and the weekend right before Christmas.