Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree

Characteristics of the various trees people like for the holidays

  • Topics: Trees & Shrubs, Winter Care
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: christmas, holidays, choosing christmas trees
  • Date: December 2006

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You’d think a tree is a tree when it comes to Christmas trees. Well, think again. Our cut trees come from a supplier in Colorado who knows his trees. Following are some of the characteristics of the various trees people like for the holidays:

  • White Pine—soft, flexible blue-green needles; long needle retention; has little aroma. Not good for heavy ornaments.
  • Fraser Fir—branches turn slightly upward; dark blue-green; long needle-retention. Has a pleasant scent.
  • Concolor Fir—small, narrow needles; good needle retention; a pleasing shape and aroma.
  • Douglas Fir—soft, dark green-blue needles; a sweet fragrance; a major Christmas tree species.
  • Balsam Fir—needles last a very long time; dark-green and retains its pleasing fragrance.
  • Scotch Pine—bright green needles don’t fall when dry; the most common Christmas tree.
  • Noble Fir—needles turn upward, exposing lower branches; keeps a long time; its stiff branches are good for heavy ornaments
  • Canaan Fir—(pronounced “Ka-naan”; emphasis on final syllable); dark green; long needle retention and pleasant scent

Christmas Tree Facts:

  • Between 25 and 30 million Christmas trees sell in the U.S. every year.
  • Christmas tree farms total about 1 million acres.
  • The average growing time for a Christmas tree is 7 years.
  • Every harvested tree is replaced with 2 or 3 seedlings each spring.
  • 15,000 U.S. Christmas tree farms employ 100,000 in the industry.