The Vermont family selling that Christmas tree in Brooklyn? They didn't grow it. A big tree farm did.

There are all sorts of ways to recycle Christmas trees: Mulch. Sand dune retainers. Even crappie fishermen get in on it.

Every December, millions of Americans spend their hard-earned money on Christmas trees. To find out why this tradition persists and how consumers decide which tree is right for their budget, Tony Cox visited a busy Christmas tree lot in L.A.