Pros and Cons of the Most Popular Christmas Tree Varieties

When the Christmas season arrives, finding a beautiful Christmas tree is a top priority for many. However, while a typical Christmas tree has a specific set of common characteristics, there are a surprising amount of Christmas tree varieties for you to choose from. This article will introduce you to some of the most popular ones so that you can decide which is best for you.

Balsam Fir, Abies balsamea

The balsam fir is one of the most popular Christmas tree varieties. The main reasons for that popularity are this tree’s nearly perfect shape, dark green needles, and iconic Christmas tree scent. The only downside to the balsam fir is that it can drop its needles somewhat quickly. But with the right care, it should last for at least a month.
Pros:

  • Balsam firs have a great Christmas tree fragrance.
  • The needles have a lovely dark green color. 
  • Balsam firs have a classic Christmas tree shape. 

Cons:

  • The needles can drop quickly.
Fraser Fir, Abies fraseri

The Fraser fir is another fantastic Christmas tree option from the fir tree genus. Although it may not have foliage as dense as other fir trees, the Fraser fir makes up for that lack of density by remaining sturdy and holding its needles for a long time. Fraser firs are also a great option for anyone who is in need of a larger Christmas tree.

Pros:

  • The needles hold for a long time. 
  • Fraser firs have sturdy branches. 
  • Fraser firs are a great option if you want a large tree. 

Cons:

  • The foliage is not as dense as other options.

 

White Fir, Abies concolor

While the needles of some Christmas trees are so sharp that they can pierce your skin, the foliage of the white fir is incredibly soft to the touch. That means you won’t need to worry about poking yourself while you adorn this tree with ornaments. The white fir also offers a great form, consisting of evenly spaced branches. 
Pros:

  • The needles are soft to the touch. 
  • White fir trees have a classic Christmas tree shape. 
  • The branches are very evenly spaced. 

Cons:

  • The trees take a long time to grow, so the price is slightly higher
Noble Fir, Abies procera

If you want a Christmas tree with long-lasting needles and a fragrance that will bring back your favorite Christmas memories, then the noble fir may be the best tree for you during this holiday season. With that said, the branches of this tree can droop, and the foliage is not always the densest. Still, the noble fir is an excellent Christmas tree option in most cases. 
Pros:

  • The needles hold for a long time. 
  • Noble firs have a great Christmas tree fragrance.
  • The branches are very evenly spaced. 

Cons:

  • The foliage is not as dense as other options; it has shorter limbs and needles.
Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii

For many who celebrate Christmas, the Douglas fir is the Christmas tree of choice. This tree has just about everything you could look for in a Christmas tree, including a rich scent and dense needles that will hold strong for several weeks.
Pros:

  • Douglas firs have a great Christmas tree fragrance.
  • The needles hold for a long time. 
  • Douglas firs have dense foliage. 

Cons:

  • They need a lot of water; without it, their branches can droop after a few weeks.
Colorado Spruce, Picea pungens

The unique color of the Colorado spruce’s foliage makes it stand out from nearly every other Christmas tree type. The needles of this tree are blue-tinted and surprisingly vibrant. However, if you choose a Colorado spruce for your Christmas tree, watch out for its incredibly sharp needles.
Pros:

  • Colorado spruce trees have sturdy branches. 
  • The color of the needles is uniquely vibrant. 
  • Colorado spruces have a classic Christmas tree shape. 

Cons:

  • The needles are very sharp to the touch.
  • The needles can drop quickly. 
White Spruce, Picea glauca

The white spruce may not be the top Christmas tree option, but it is worth considering nonetheless. White spruces have a perfect Christmas tree shape and tend to have strong branches as well. On the other hand, white spruces can lose their needles somewhat quickly and can give off an odor that some find unpleasant.
Pros:

  • White spruce trees have sturdy branches. 
  • White spruces have a classic Christmas tree shape. 

Cons:

  • The needles can drop quickly. 
  • White spruces can have an unpleasant odor.
White Pine, Pinus strobus

The main selling point of the white pine is that this tree has long, soft needles that are unlikely to fall throughout the entire holiday season. However, this Christmas tree option also has some considerable downsides. Mainly, it is often too weak to hold heavy ornaments, and it can have an irregular shape. 
Pros:

  • The needles hold for a long time. 
  • The needles are soft to the touch. 

Cons:

  • White pines can have a somewhat irregular shape.
  • The branches may struggle to hold heavy ornaments.
Scotch Pine, Pinus sylvestris

As is true of other pine trees, the Scotch pine can have an irregular shape that does not always match the classic Christmas tree form. On the plus side, the Scotch pine is a sturdy tree that does not dry out as quickly as others. If you’re willing to have a Christmas tree that deviates from the typical shape, the Scotch pine is a good option for you.
Pros:

  • Scotch pines have sturdy branches. 
  • The needles hold for a long time. 
  • Scotch pines do not dry out quickly.

Cons:

  • The needles can be sharp to the touch.
  • Scotch pines can have a somewhat irregular shape.

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