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Which Evergreens Make the Best Christmas Trees?

Christmas is around the corner and you are still confused about which evergreen Christmas Tree to purchase? Are you tired of going through the different options of Christmas Trees but still have not been able to make up your mind? Do not worry anymore. You have arrived at the right place.

There are a variety of evergreen trees to choose from and it is very natural to feel overwhelmed with so many varieties. Many beautiful and popular evergreen trees make the best Christmas Tree. They all differ from one another in shape, size, fullness, fragrance, and color. So, let me help you in choosing the best evergreen Christmas Tree.

Here is a comprehensive list of the most popular and best evergreen Christmas trees. So, before you decide which one to go for, sit back, and have a look.

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Balsam Firs are tall, slender trees with excellent needle retention. Their airy, flexible branches give them a beautiful look. They can retain their needles for around four weeks. They are ideal if you have space constraints.

These trees have a sleek and pyramidal structure. The needles are soft, flattened, and one inch long. Since the needles are not very sharp, kids can also enjoy decorating it during Christmas.

The needles are dark green with a slight silvery tinge. They are short, flat, and last long. The top of a needle is dark green while the underneath is silvery.

It is a classic Christmas tree that is noted for its beauty as well as its sweet scent. The uniform pyramidal shape gives an elegant look to the tree. They have a long life-span as well. If you wish to put up your tree a week after Thanksgiving, then this tree is perfect for you.

This variety is not very expensive. When watered properly, it stays fresh for as long as 5-6 weeks.

Pros:

  • Good needle retention.
  • Sturdy branches.
  • Pleasantly fragranced.

Cons:

  • Soft branches cannot bear the load of heavy decorations.
  • Little expensive as compared to other varieties.
  • Limited lifespan.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Douglas Firs are one of the most popular and common Christmas trees. They have a lovely pyramidal structure and are preferred for conical shape and density which makes them appear full. These trees have a sweet fragrance that lasts long.

The trees look gorgeous with needles radiating out of its branches. The soft, shiny, green needles enhance the beauty of this tree. The needles are 1-1.5 inches long and are medium-green to bluish-green. They are flat and have blunt tips.

The blue-green color of the needles is lighter than most of the other trees available in the market. The needles, shooting out in all directions from the branches give the tree symmetrical structure.

This is the tree that is reliable and will never drop its needles unless it is completely dried up. So, remember to water it well.

These trees are affordable too and are great for filling up large rooms.

Pros:

  • Have a sweet aroma.
  • Look dense and full.
  • Have excellent needle retention.
  • Quite affordable.

Cons:

  • Difficult to decorate as branches tend to droop.
  • Not suitable for a large room.

Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)

Fraser Firs are ideal to be used as Christmas Trees for their shape and structure. The tree is naturally conical with branches that are slightly curved upward. They are perfectly shaped and as long as you properly water them, they have good needle retention.

The needles are 1 inch long, silvery-green in color, and soft to touch. The needles are not dense and evenly spread. It takes full pyramidal shape with strong branches having ample space between them. Since these trees have strong branches, you can decorate the tree to your heart’s content.

It remains fragrant all season long and superbly holds on to its needles. Water them well and you will be surprised to see them surviving even after cutting. The tree stays fresh and remains fragranced throughout the season. This makes it a perfect choice for your next Christmas.

Pros:

  • The scent is retained after the cut.
  • Has a long life of up to 8 weeks.
  • Easier to decorate due to the space between branches.
  • Superb needle retention.
  • Strong branches that support heavy ornaments.

Cons:

  • Has mild fragrance.
  • Bit expensive.
  • Does not have the dense, full appearance.

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

The Eastern White Pine trees are a great choice if you want to make a very dense Christmas Tree. Those who suffer from allergic reactions to pine perfumes can go for this tree undoubtedly since they do not have a strong smell.

Their needles remain blue-green throughout the festive season. The color of the needles varies from light to medium green and they are up to 5 inches long. The soft, flexible needles make the tree very pretty and attractive. The needles are soft, flexible, and grow in bundles of five. The branches are of greenish-brown in color and they complement the needles well.

If you have a large room, then look no further. These trees are the best for large rooms as they are pretty tall. According to The National Christmas Tree Association, these trees are not a preferred choice for decorating with heavy ornaments. To give the tree an even better shape, you can try trimming it nicely. Take care not to make the branches very dense as that will hamper the decorations.

Pros:

  • Long needle retention capacity.
  • Good for people with allergies.
  • Not very expensive.

Cons:

  • Weak branches that might droop.
  • Faintly perfumed.
  • Has almost no scent.

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

The bluish-white and bluish-silver color of the Colorado Blue Spruce makes it an attractive Christmas Tree. It has a nice pyramidal shape with strong branches that let you decorate it with beautiful and heavy ornaments. It has strong branches and is a very popular and commonly used Christmas tree. It looks attractive chiefly because of its unique bluish color. The perfect shape gives it a compact look. The structure is narrower than other trees.

It is remarkable for its beautiful blue foliage which also appears to be slivery. It has short, sharp, and bluish needles. The blue color of the needle is dependent on the pH range of the soil. The needles tend to be bluer when the tree is grown in alkaline soil. The needles are one to three inches in length. It can hold its needles as long as you water it regularly.

You need to be careful while decorating the tree. If the needles are crushed too much, then they will emit an unpleasant smell. Also, make note of its beautiful bluish hue and plan your decorations accordingly. Customize your decorations to increase the appeal of the tree.

These trees are moderately priced.

Pros:

  • It has good needle retention.
  • The firm limbs can hold heavy ornaments.

Cons:

  • The needles are stiff and rough to touch.

White Spruce (Picea glauca)

With its good shape, dense branches, and beautiful green color, the White Spruce tree is all that you need as your next Christmas tree. These trees are great for being decorated with heavy and big ornaments. Their excellent foliage and good shape make them worthy of purchase. These trees are also known as the Canadian Spruce.

These trees have short and stiff needles. The needles are 0.5 – 0.75 inches long with blunt tips. The needle retention is better among all other spruce varieties.

This particular tree is a large tree that can grow up to a height of 80 to 140 feet. This tree is a viable option if you want your Christmas tree to be gorgeous, attractive, and laden with lights and ornaments. The trees have excellent foliage color.

The needles give a bad aroma when crushed. Remember to water it regularly so that it does not lose its needles.

Due to its symmetrical structure and strong branches, it can hold decorations very well. The slender twigs with its dense foliage and symmetrically proportioned shape, make it one of the best evergreen Christmas trees.

Pros:

  • Has a uniform symmetrical shape.
  • The firm branches can hold heavy ornaments properly.

Cons:

  • Prickly and stiff needles.
  • Quick needle loss.
  • Have a strong smell.

There are so many types of evergreen trees, such as – firs, pines, and spruces. The ideal Christmas tree for you should be aesthetically pleasing and in tune with your taste. You would not want to have a tree whose branches droop down as you hang your pretty ornaments. So, while purchasing the next Christmas tree, make sure you choose the one that has firm branches with enough space between them. Hopefully, this guide has been able to clarify all your doubts and by now you should have already decided which one of the above is going to be your next Christmas Tree. Also, once you buy the tree, do not forget to take proper care of it. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead. Buy, decorate, and celebrate! Let the spirit of Christmas enliven your life!