| By Neil Johnson, reporter/anchor, Big Radio |

Fresh-cut Christmas trees grown locally might save you a little cash this Holiday season.

Local Tree seller Kristen Stone, who operates Dvorak Landscape supply in Janesville, says prices for Christmas trees have jumped 5 percent locally. Stone says it’s tied to the cost of raising and trucking trees from farm to tree lot.

She says the most moderately priced fresh-cut trees tend to be grown locally, while out-of-state varieties tend to be pricier.

Big Radio checked local Christmas tree lots and found prices average between $70 and $100 for a 7-footer.

According to the American Christmas Tree Association, that’s about in line with national trends.

Stone says she’s seeing more people this year who own older, pre-lit artificial trees that are now worn out. She says those customers are now turning to fresh cut trees for some short-term holiday savings, because they can be less costly than new, artificial trees.