Last holiday season, my family set out on a cold December day to visit a local Christmas tree farm. After years of decorating a fake tree, we decided to use a fresh-cut tree for Christmas. While this was a first for my family, I grew up with cut trees for the holidays. My father and I would travel to a tree farm and tag a tree in November. As the holiday drew near, we would return, cut down the tree and bring it home.
Arriving at the farm with my own family, we traversed fields looking for the perfect tree. Finally, a tree was selected. Our hands were already numb as I handed the saw to my eldest and he set to work. Everyone took turns with the saw to say they played a part, but my eldest finished the job. He even broke a sweat on that 20-degree day as the tree tumbled over, but claimed, “That was easy.”
I had never paid much attention to the types of Christmas trees growing on farms. As a kid, a tree is a tree. However, there are significant differences in the species of evergreens we can choose for our holiday decor. Some are more suited than others to being cut, decorated and placed in a home for a few weeks. While there are more species than can be mentioned in this article, the following are some common ones you may encounter at a tree farm.
A fresh pine scent
Pines are popular, with Scotch pine topping the list. Pines are known for having a pleasant scent, excellent needle retention and branches stiff enough to hold heavy ornaments. Scotch pines are dense trees with dark green needles, 1 to 3 inches in length.
White pine is another common option, especially for those looking for a larger tree. The branches of white pine are more flexible, meaning heavy ornaments may fall off, and the needle retention is not quite as strong as Scotch pine. It is also less aromatic, making it an option for those who suffer from allergies.
Home “fir” the holidays
Fir trees are known for having excellent needle retention for the entire holiday season. These trees have stiff branches that will hold most ornaments. Balsam fir is a preferred species due to its strong scent, and it is commonly used for wreaths, garlands and swags.
Other fir options include the Fraser fir, which has better needle retention than the Balsam. Because Fraser fir ships well, it can be common in tree lots. Green is often the Christmas tree color of choice; however, the white fir provides an alternative blue color and a citrus-like scent.
Spruce up the place
Spruces are not as popular as Christmas trees primarily due to their relatively poor needle retention; however, the Colorado blue spruce is a common choice due to its bright blue color. With sharp needles, this tree often leaves my fingernail cuticles bloodied when hanging ornaments. Once the needles begin to fall, they can find their way into socks and slippers. If you decide to go with the blue spruce, wait until after Dec. 1 to set it up to make sure the tree will last the entire season.
Finding a fresh tree
When shopping at a tree lot with pre-cut trees, it is important to choose the freshest tree. Check with the local tree lot to determine recent shipments. Additionally, check freshness by bouncing the tree on the ground or gently tugging the end of the branch with the thumb and forefinger; in both tests, no needles should fall off. Keep in mind, the freshest tree is one you cut yourself. When doing so, be sure to bring a sharp saw and eager helpers to make quick work of the job, especially if it’s on a cold day.
