Wisconsin

Christmas tree farmers say prices have stabilized this year and people are buying trees earlier

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2024

Christmas tree farmers say prices have stabilized this year and people are buying trees earlier

Every year, Christmas tree farms throughout Wisconsin help residents get their families and homes in the holiday spirit.

And this year, there’s more good news for tree seekers. For the first time in at least half a decade, average Christmas tree prices have remained the same as the previous year, said Greg Hann, promotions director for the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association and owner of Hann’s Christmas Farm in Oregon, Wis.

The current average price of a 7-to-8-foot Fraser fir or Balsam tree ― the most common height and species of Christmas trees ― is between $95 and $110 in southern Wisconsin, according to Hann.

“I think we’re now at a plateau spot where we’ll be holding these prices for a while,” he said.

Before this season, prices rose annually over the past five years, starting at around $75 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Prices have increased through COVID because the popularity has been going up and up quite a bit to have a live tree. … Because more people were around, we had quite a demand,” Hann said.

In addition to growing demand, labor, fuel and fertilizer costs have climbed since the pandemic. At Hann’s farm, staff wages have gone up from about $10 per hour to between $16 and $20 per hour as workers have asked for more pay to keep up with the cost of living.

“That has to be added somewhere into the whole mix, so then the tree prices go up …,” he said. “If we ever see $2 a gallon for gas again, I think our whole economy would be very much sparked from something like that.”

Consumers can find cheaper Christmas trees closer to Wisconsin’s major tree production areas in the state’s central and northern regions. There, farmers like Hann don’t have to cover the trucking and fuel costs of transporting trees multiple hours south. Wages also are lower up north, where the cost of living isn’t as high, Hann said.

“You can definitely save money by driving two or three hours north of the Madison or Milwaukee area …,” he said. “You could probably gain back that $30.”

This is true at Silent Night Evergreens, a wholesale Christmas tree farm about 2 hours northwest of Milwaukee in the Marquette County village of Endeavor. The farm sells a limited number of “choose-and-cut” 7-to-8-foot Fraser firs and Balsams for between $77 and $84.

Live Christmas trees grow in popularity

Despite rising tree prices in recent years, Hann said he hasn’t seen a drop in customers ― perhaps because artificial trees, many of which are produced overseas, have also become more expensive due to increased shipping costs. He also noted that live trees have piqued the interest of younger consumers.

“I think it’s that newer generation of people (interested in) agri-tourism and coming to the farm and wanting to see things,” he said. “It’s neat to see that younger generation wanting to learn about how things are produced.”

If you’re still not convinced about getting a live tree, Hann emphasized the value and family time one can provide.

“The nice thing about a Christmas tree is, for the $100, what you really get. You know, you pump your tank of gas for $60, you go to a movie for $60, and it’s over. By coming here, you have the experience of the farm, you have the experience of your kids being together and being able to go cut a tree. Then, you take the tree, and you even have more time decorating it, and then it’s in your house for so long.”

People are getting Christmas trees earlier

Although sales have been strong so far this year, Hann said it’s been “odd” because this Thanksgiving was later than the past four years.

“Customers are funny because they’ll look at Thanksgiving and then decide on when they buy their tree,” he said. “If Thanksgiving is late, they’re dragging their feet and coming up later. If Thanksgiving is early, we’ll have the majority of our sales almost done by now like last year.”

David Chapman runs Silent Night Evergreens with his wife and family. In addition to shipping wholesale trees to over 100 nurseries and tree lots across the Midwest (and even some further U.S. states), Chapman’s farm offers choose-and-cut trees to central Wisconsin customers.

Chapman has worked on the farm since childhood and took over the operation in 2016. He said interest in choose-and-cut trees is “up a little bit” from previous years. As for trends among Christmas tree buyers, he said people are coming earlier each year.

In the past, the first and second weekends of December were the farm’s biggest business days, he continued. “Now, the weekend after Thanksgiving is a very busy one,” and some people are even picking up their trees before Turkey Day.

Chapman thinks this stems from the pandemic years, when tree demand was “very high” because consumers were spending more time at home. “There was a limited supply where … maybe people were showing up and didn’t get a tree, so, next year, they all come earlier.”

Although Christmas tree lifespans depend on the species and how well you care for and water your tree, Chapman suggests people hold off until after Thanksgiving because all cut trees have a finite shelf life.

Like at Hann’s farm, Chapman said this is the first year in a while that tree prices haven’t “made any major jumps.”

“That’s good because I think, for a lot of people, it’s a product that if it gets too expensive, families can do without,” he said. “I do worry about that as an industry. If prices get too high, you don’t want to be pricing families out.”

Journal Sentinel reporter Kelly Meyerhofer contributed to this report.

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Wisconsin

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

Published

3 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.

If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.

The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.

Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.

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Wisconsin

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

Published

15 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.

MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule

How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.

Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.

This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.

Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.

Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth Live on Fubo

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— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 25, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 25, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing

07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 6-0-9

Evening: 8-8-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 2-3-0-0

Evening: 4-4-1-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 01-02-04-08-09-10-11-12-19-20-21

Evening: 04-05-06-07-09-10-13-14-16-18-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from March 25 drawing

02-09-15-18-29

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from March 25 drawing

02-06-15-18-24-26, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks numbers from March 25 drawing

09-13-18-28-37-38

Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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