Pick a Tree, Any Tree: Top 7 Live Choices

You’ve made the choice to have a live tree this year – great! There’s just something about a live Christmas tree that rounds the entire holiday season out. But choosing one can be a bit difficult. Here’s a handy-dandy list to help you find your way through a tree farm like a pro.

• Balsam Fir - Short, long-lasting needles are rounded at the tip. Dark green in color with a silver cast. Very fragrant.
• Douglas Fir - Slightly longer needles that have a wonderful aroma when crushed. Color is bluish to dark green. Good fragrance.
• Fraser Fir - Shorter, flattened needles which are dark green in color and hold very well. Nice pyramid-shape with strong branches that turn upward. Nice fragrance.
• Noble Fir - Inch-long, bluish-green needles with a silver cast that hold well. Short, stiff branches. Often used to make wreaths, swags, and garland.
• Scotch Pine - Most common Christmas tree in the US. Stiff branches with stiff, dark green medium-length needles. Generally holds needles for about four weeks, but needles will stay on even if dried out. Branches are more open, leaving plenty of space for ornaments. Holds scent throughout the season.
• Virginia Pine - Long, dark green needles that grow in twisted pairs. Strong branches, strong scent. Very popular in the south.
• White Pine - Long, soft, blue-green needles that stay on throughout the season. Very full with hardly any fragrance (which might be good for allergic folks). Slender branches may not support larger ornaments.

What kind of tree will you be looking for this year? Or do you already have yours? We’d love to see Before (Naked!) and After (Dressed!) photos of your gorgeous tree, so please send them to my email address (in the right column) and I’d be happy to feature it. (Just make sure there are no squirrels inside though, wouldja?)

Source: Christmas Trees and More