Back to Feature Articles

George Hamilton, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Hillsborough County Agricultural Resources Educator
Reprinted with permission

Soon it will be the season to choose your real Christmas tree for the holiday. Your choices are many and can be confusing. Most people pay little attention to which type (species or variety) of tree they select. Instead, they tend to focus on cost, overall appearance, and availability.

The type of tree you select, of course, depends on what you are looking for. Do you want a tree to last a very long time, or is that fresh "Christmas" smell more important? Are small children involved in decorating? If so, avoid trees with sharp needles. If cats are a problem, sharp needles may be just what you need. To help you choose which tree would be best for you, take a look at the most common types you can buy. There are other species of trees used on occasion, but due to availability, cost, or infrequent use, I will not mention them here.

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea): For the traditionalist, this is the only "true" Christmas tree! Balsam fir is the number one Christmas tree grown in New England. They have short, flat needles that are green on top and silvery-white below. The needles are soft, and their retention is good, lasting about three weeks. Balsam fir is best known for its "great fragrance."

Frazier Fir (Abies fraseri): This is the southern cousin to the balsam fir which originated in North Carolina. It is similar to the balsam fir except it is less fragrant, and its needle retention is a little better.

White Fir (Abies concolor): The white fir is relatively new to New Hampshire. It's much more popular out West. The needles are more upright and are soft to touch. Color is usually a very nice blue-green. Needle retention is fair to good, but it is not as fragrant as the balsam fir.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): As the scientific name shows, this is not a "true" fir. It is one of the most popular trees throughout the United States. The needles are short and not too sharp, with a deep-green to blue-green color. Its claim to fame is its excellent needle retention. When I lived in the state of Washington, the douglas fir was known to be fresh clear into February! Due to demand and difficulty in growing in the East, this tree can be one of the more expensive ones.

Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris): Probably one of the more popular pine trees of choice. They have very good needle retention, and they have a nice full shape. The color can range from green to blue-green to yellowish-green. Needles tend to be short (around one-inch) and only slightly sharp.

White Pine (Pinus strobus): This is a favorite Christmas tree because the needles are long and soft. White pine trees need to be sheared heavily or they tend to be sparse or open in shape. Needle retention is fair, lasting a couple of weeks. It is popular for its softness and great pine fragrance.

Colorado "Blue" Spruce (Picea pungens): The Colorado spruce is quite popular, especially those with the ice-blue coloring. However, the needles are very sharp, and the tree is difficult to decorate. Needle retention is fair for two to three weeks.

Norway Spruce (Picea abies): Norways are popular for their shape and lower price due to its speedier growth. Needles are short and sharp with a rich green color. The tree also has a very nice fragrance when fresh. Unfortunately, needle retention is very poor. Needles begin to fall within a week. At best, the tree will only last two weeks.

White Spruce (Picea glauca): A New Hampshire native with a great natural shape and deep woodsy fragrance. It is the second most popular tree sold in the state, with fair needle retention. Either you like it or you hate it.

For those of you interested in enjoying a day in the fresh country air, consider a cut-your-own Christmas tree or buy a precut tree at your local farmstand. Take the whole family along and start (or continue) the tradition of selecting your Christmas tree!