A new collaboration between the National Christmas Tree Association and Square could help the public buy their next tree more cost effectively.

NCTA, working with the payments processor, launched a new calculator that helps pinpoint target times to buy trees, based on region, cost, and amount of time a customer wants to keep the tree.

The calculator, based on Square data from Christmas tree sellers and tree farmers, shows that some regions may have better luck getting a deal on a tree than others—for example, the Midwest and East Coast tend to be more favorable for getting one that lasts longer than three weeks under an average cost of $65, while the cheapest you’ll find a tree in the South with such a long lead time is $94.27.

On average, according to Square, tree prices increased by 23 percent between 2015 and 2018, with the price rising to $76.

The most expensive time to buy a tree? The sales data shows that average prices peak on Cyber Monday, when they hit $84. And you’re more likely to be fighting it out with other families on weekends, which is when tree sales (though not prices) peak. However, if you’re willing to wait it out, you can get a good deal: The average price hits a low point of $50 on Christmas Eve.

According to a news release, NCTA Executive Director Tim O’Connor says that there are lots of reasons to check out a Christmas tree farm than just the tree itself. Many of its members, he says, are actually building out their tree-purchasing experiences.

“With the increased consumer desire for authentic farm experiences, we’re noticing many of our members tap into that cultural trend by creating a space where families can spend an entire afternoon or evening,” O’Connor stated. “It’s a way to create new family traditions while putting a face to growers and truly understanding where their trees come from.”

The release notes that “agritainment,” or farm-based entertainment, allows members to expand their revenue streams beyond the trees themselves.

Wanna try the calculator yourself? Check out the Square website.

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