Best Species For Cut Trees
Douglas Fir - Short, soft blue-green needles. Good color, symmetrical form and high needle retention makes this a popular tradition. The Douglas Fir has been the major Christmas tree species used in the Pacific Northwest since the 1920's. During the following 40 years, nearly all trees were harvested from forest lands. Since the 1950's, the transformation from growing trees in the wild to culturing them on plantations has been dramatic. Today, few trees come from forest lands. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Douglas Fir
Scotch Pine - Dark green to bluish-green needles, two in each cluster, ranging from one and one-half inches to three inches long. As a Christmas tree Scotch Pine is one the most commonly used species in the United States. It is known for its dark green foliage and stiff branches which are well suited for decorating with both light and heavy Christmas ornaments. It has excellent needle retention characteristics and holds up well throughout harvest, shipping and display. When displayed in a water-filled container it will remain fresh for the normal 3 to 4 week Christmas season. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Pine Trees
White Pine - Bluish-green needles with lacy, graceful foliage when lightly sheared. Very good needle retention. White Pines make nice Christmas trees. As Christmas trees, sheared trees are preferred, although some people feel shearing results in trees too dense for larger Christmas tree ornaments. Needle retention is good to excellent. Young White Pine has very little aroma, but, conversely, is reported to result in fewer allergic reactions than do some of the more aromatic species. To produce a 6-foot tree requires 6-8 years on good sites. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Pine Trees
Balsam Fir - As a Christmas tree, balsam Fir has several desirable properties. It has a dark-green appearance, long-lasting needles, and attractive form. It also retains its pleasing fragrance. Nine to ten years in the field are required to produce a 6-7 foot tree. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Fir Trees
Fraser Fir - Flat needles, one-half inch to one inch long, dark green with round tips. Good needle retention. The combination of form, needle retention, dark blue-green color, pleasant scent and excellent shipping characteristics has led to Fraser Fir being a most popular Christmas tree species. North Carolina produces the majority of Fraser Fir Christmas trees. It requires from 7 to 10 years in the field to produce a 6-7 feet tree. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Fir Trees
White Fir - As a Christmas tree, white Fir has good foliage color, a pleasing natural shape and aroma, and good needle retention (about 2 weeks or more if provided with water). For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Fir Trees
Norway Spruce - Shiny, dark green needles. For Christmas trees, overall color of Norway Spruce is fair to excellent, but needle retention is considered poor unless the trees are cut fresh and kept properly watered. Growth during the first 10 years after field planting is relatively slow and 8 to 11 years are required to grow a 6-7 foot tree. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Spruce Trees
Blue Spruce - The Colorado Blue Spruce is a dense, conical evergreen with stout, prickly three-quarter to one and on-quarter inch needles. Fairly narrow in habit, they maintain a spread of roughly ¼ of their height, and possess the distinctive “Christmas tree” shape. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Spruce Trees
White Spruce - As a Christmas tree, White Spruce has excellent foliage color, short stiff needles and a good natural shape. Needle retention is better than some of other spruce species. For detailed information about this tree see the file for Growing Spruce Trees
