Christmas tree prices peak around Thanksgiving and mostly fall thereafter, new data shows.

Why it matters: For the live tree lovers among us, timing your annual purchase is a delicate balance between prices and how long you’ll get to enjoy a majestic pine or spruce in your living room.

By the numbers: The average Christmas tree went for a high of around $131 on Thanksgiving last year, then fell to about $55 by Christmas Eve.

• Just like candy after Halloween, the real bargains come after Christmas: about $50 on Dec. 30, for example.
• That’s based on data from payments firm Square, which gathered info from more than 3,000 tree merchants.

Between the lines: Actual local prices depend on several factors, including the success of nearby growers’ annual yields.

• Certain varieties or crops may be more vulnerable to the drought conditions plaguing much of the country this fall, for example.

If you go: Consider chopping down your own tree.

• It’s usually cheaper than pre-cut, and makes for a great family day out.

The bottom line: Tree sellers moved 90% of their inventory by mid-December last year, per Square — so get moving if you don’t want to end up stuck with a diminutive Charlie Brown fir.