NatureMan's Official Blog: Christmas Tree Varieties (Northern Regions)

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! You can't beat getting that perfect Christmas tree, with that scent to fill your home! In this post I will be sharing the best Christmas tree varieties! I will not be sharing all of them, as there are several species grown in the south, also some grown out west, and southwest. I am not sharing. Most of these trees are grown up north in colder regions, where winter can get near or below zero (°F). When getting a Christmas tree it is really important to have it in water. Once the tree is cut, if the bottom is not trimmed within 2 hours it will calloused over, or basically heal over, and will not absorb any water. You only cut 1/2" off the base. It must be in water within. 2 hours, or it will need to be cut again. It should survive and retain it's needles for over a month, from Thanksgiving to New Year's.

1. Fraser Fir (Most Popular Christmas tree)

The most widly distributed Christmas tree in the market in the US. It is litterally the perfect tree. Best needle retention of any conifer, extremely soft, tiny, compacted needles, very full look, and perfect shape, extremely strong branches to hold the heaviest of ornaments. You could not get a better species for Christmas tree.

2. Scotch Pine (Once was most popular, currently most popular Pine Christmas tree)

Scotch Pine once once the go to Christmas tree out of all others, but once the Fraser Fir came into the spotlight, it's popularity dropped. Before Fraser Fir, you could not get a better tree for neat short needles, with a very compacted look. Just because Fraser Fir is better, doesn't mean Scotch Pinr should be off you list as a potential winner this Christmas. I personally have been getting a Fraser Fir every year, and I need a mix up. I want something new and exciting. Scotch Pine is a true Pine, and looks more natural. If a tree like Fraser Fir is too perfect, it appears to be unnatural. In fact I got a Scotch Pine yesterday on Black Friday. I went to a tree farma and cut down a 6.5' tree. Scotch Pine has very strong branches to hold heavy ornaments, good needle rentention, short, compacted needles for a more neat look, but still looks open and certainly less compacted due to having longer Pine needles.

3. Eastern White Pine

Eastern White Pine is a great Christmas tree. It has long needles to add the more natural Pine look. They almost feel artificial at the same time by being extremely soft to the touch. The only downside is the tree hase very weak branches. It can only hold light ornaments. For people who don't have heavy metal ornaments, this is the tree for you. Some people have cheap plastic ornaments, this tree is fine for that. Good needle retention.

4. Virginia Pine

While this tree is popular mostly in the south where it's native, it is very hardy far north of it's habitat to -30°F. It is very similar to Scotch Pine by having short compcated needles and branches. Good needle retention, strong branches.

5. White Fir

Lots of places don't use this tree, as it is relatively new tree to the Christmas tree market. It is increasingly growing in popularity. It has the long needles like a Pine, but is very soft. It looks nothing like the Fraser Fir, but since it's a Fir, it has extremely storng branches to hold the heaviest of ornaments, and fanatastic needle retention.

6. Canaan Fir (Fraser Fir (Balsam) variety)

Nearly indistinguishable from Fraser Fir, with the same attributes of Fraser Fir. The reason why it's grown is because, in some places Fraser Fir doesn't grow as successfully, so some places grow Canaan Fir as a alternative. You won't regret getting this instead of your favorite Fraser Fir.

Indiana Tree Farm