STEW LEONARD’S LOWERS BALSAM CHRISTMAS TREE PRICES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 

With daily shipments arriving straight from sustainable tree farms, America’s favorite family-owned grocer prepares to sell more than 70,000 fresh-cut trees and wreaths this season.

 

NORWALK, CONN. (November 5, 2026) – While consumers are seeing price hikes across nearly every holiday category, Stew Leonard’s is offering a welcome gift to shoppers this season: Balsam Christmas tree prices are lower than last year.

 

Starting November 20, all eight locations of Stew Leonard’s will receive daily shipments of fresh, hand-sheared Christmas trees. Grown just 25 miles north of the U.S. border in Quebec, Canada—widely considered one of the premier climates for hearty evergreens—these tariff-free trees are built to last through the holidays while filling homes with that unmistakable fresh pine scent.

 

"We’re excited to lower our Balsam Christmas tree prices by $10 this year, starting at just $39.99, while holding Fraser Fir prices right where they were," said Stew Leonard, Jr., President & CEO of Stew Leonard’s. "To me, Balsams are the ultimate smell of Christmas! Thanks to great growing conditions and mature harvests from our Canadian partners, the tree shortage has eased. We expect to sell over 70,000 trees and wreaths this season, and because our growers plant two new trees for every one harvested, families can feel good about taking home a fresh, sustainable centerpiece."

 

The Great Tree Debate: Fraser Fir vs. Balsam

With Thanksgiving weekend marking the busiest shopping period of the year for tree buyers, Stew’s experts note that an early-season tree will easily last until Christmas Day—provided it is kept well-watered and away from direct heat sources.

 

To help shoppers pick their perfect match, Stew’s breaks down their top two varieties:

  • The Fraser Fir: Famous for its sturdy branches that easily hold heavier ornaments, dark green needles, and exceptional needle retention. Ranges from 5’ to 8’+.
  • The Balsam Fir: The ultimate choice for fragrance lovers, featuring dense, strong branches, a rich dark green color, and an unbeatable woodsy aroma. Ranges from 4’ to 8’.

 

5 Insider Tips from Stew’s Tree Experts

  1. Size it Right: Buy a tree that is at least one foot shorter than your ceiling to leave plenty of room for a star or angel topper.
  2. The Bend Test: To check freshness, pluck a needle and bend it in half. If it gives without snapping, it’s fresh!
  3. The Fresh Cut: Always get a fresh cut of ½-inch to 1-inch at the base to remove sap buildup and help the tree drink. Make sure the bottom branches are trimmed to allow at least six inches of trunk in the stand.
  4. Never Shave the Bark: The tree "drinks" through its bark, so never shave it down. Instead, add Stew’s Miracle Tree—a special nutrient-replenishing formula developed with their growers—using one part formula to two parts warm water.
  5. Location, Location, Location: Keep your tree away from heat sources and direct sunlight, and check the water daily.

 

Decking the Halls: Wreaths, Roping, & Lights

Stew’s Christmas Shop is also fully stocked for holiday decorating:

  • Greens & Roping: Choose from Balsam or mixed Oregon Greens wreaths, alongside White Pine, Western Cedar, and Boxwood roping. (Pro tip: Use 25 yards of roping for a fence line, 6 yards for a doorway, and spritz indoor greenery with water periodically to keep them fresh!)
  • Lighting Tips: Stew’s experts recommend calculating 100 lights per foot of tree. Looking to upgrade? Energy-efficient LED lights are brighter, run cooler, and allow you to string more sets together. Cool White offers a crisp, bluish tone, while Warm White and Multicolor mimic the cozy glow of traditional incandescent bulbs.

 

About Stew Leonard’s: Stew Leonard’s, a family-owned and operated fresh food store founded in 1969, has eight stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn.; in East Meadow, Farmingdale, and Yonkers, N.Y.; and in Clifton and Paramus, N.J. Stew's earned its nickname, the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores," because of its country-fair atmosphere, costumed characters, and animatronic entertainment throughout the store. Guided by the motto "Rule #1 -- The Customer is Always Right; Rule #2 - If the Customer is Ever Wrong, Re-Read Rule #1," the company’s culture is built around S.T.E.W.: Satisfy the customer; Teamwork gets it done; Excellence makes it better; WOW makes it fun. For more information, visit www.stewleonards.com.