Whether you buy a Christmas tree from a lot or a farm, you usually
have a number of Christmas tree varieties to choose from. Knowing a
little bit about Christmas tree needle retention, fragrance and color
can help you to choose that "perfect" tree, said a University of
Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
Ron Wolford provided brief sketches of Christmas tree varieties to
help consumers.
Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea - three-fourth to one and
one-half inches short, flat, long-lasting needles that are rounded at
the tip; nice, dark green color with silvery cast and fragrant. Named
for the balsam or resin found in blisters on bark. Resin is used to make
microscope slides and was sold like chewing gum; used to treat wounds in
Civil War.
Canaan Fir - Abies balsamea var.phanerolepis - soft,
short, bluish to dark green needles, one-half to one and one-fourth
inches, needles silver on underside. Strong branches and open growing
pattern. Good needle retention and fragrance.
Douglas Fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii - good fragrance;
holds blue to dark green; one to one and one-half inch needles; needles
have one of the best aromas among Christmas trees when crushed; branches
are spreading and drooping. After being cut, the Douglas fir will last
three to four weeks. Named after David Douglas who studied the tree in
the 1800s; good conical shape; can live for a thousand years.
Fraser Fir - Abies fraseri - dark green, flattened
needles; one half to one inch long; good needle retention; nice scent;
pyramid-shaped, strong branches which turn upward. The Fraser fir was
named for botanist John Fraser who explored the southern Appalachians in
the late 1700’s.
Grand Fir - Adies grandis - shiny, dark green needles
about one to one and one-half inches long; the needles, when crushed,
give off a citrusy smell. Will last 3 to 4 weeks after being cut.
Noble Fir - Abies procera - one inch long, bluish-green
needles with a silvery appearance; has short, stiff branches; great for
heavier ornaments; keeps well; is used to make wreaths, door swags and
garland. With good care the tree will last for six weeks after being
cut.
Concolor Fir - Abies concolor - blue-green needles are one
half to one and one-half inches long; nice shape and good aroma, a
citrus scent; good needle retention. In nature the concolor fir can live
to 350 years.
Austrian Fir - Pinus nigra - dark green needles, four to
six inches long; retains needles well; moderate fragrance.
Red Pine - Pinus resinosa - dark green needles four to six
inches long; big and bushy.
Scotch Pine - Pinus sylvestris - most common Christmas
tree; stiff branches hold heavy ornaments well; stiff, dark green
needles one inch long; holds needles for four weeks; needles will stay
on even when dry; has open appearance and more room for ornaments; keeps
aroma throughout the season; introduced into United States by European
settlers.
Virginia Pine - Pinus virginiana - dark green needles are
one and one half to three inches long in twisted pairs; strong branches
enabling it to hold heavy ornaments; strong aromatic pine scent; a
popular southern Christmas tree.
White Pine - Pinus strobus - soft, blue-green needles, two
to five inches long in bundles of five; retains needles throughout the
holiday season; very full appearance; little or no fragrance; less
allergic reactions as compared to more fragrant trees; doesn’t hold
heavy ornaments well. Largest pine in United States; state tree of
Michigan and Maine; slender branches will support fewer and smaller
decorations as compared to Scotch pine.
Black Hills Spruce - Pinus glauca var. densata - green
to blue-green needles; one fourth to one third inch long; stiff needles
may be difficult to handle for small children.
Blue Spruce - Picea pungens - dark green to powdery blue;
very stiff needles, three-fourth to one and one-half inches long; good
form; will drop needles in a warm room; symmetrical; but is best among
species for needle retention; branches are stiff and will support many
heavy decorations. The blue spruce is the state tree of Utah and
Colorado, and it can live in nature 600 to 800 years.
Norway Spruce - Picea abies - needles one half to one inch
long and shiny, dark green. Needle retention is poor without proper
care; strong fragrance; nice conical shape. The Norway spruce is very
popular in Europe.
White Spruce - Picea glauca - needles one half to
three-fourth inch long; green to bluish green, short, stiff needles;
crushed needles have an unpleasant odor; good needle retention. The
white spruce is the state tree of South Dakota.
"After you’ve picked that "perfect" tree, follow these tips to keep
your tree fresh throughout the holiday season," Wolford said.
If you are not putting the tree up right away, store it in an
unheated garage or some other area out of the wind and cold (freezing)
temperatures. Make a fresh one-inch cut on the butt end and place the
tree in a bucket of warm water.
"When you decide to bring the tree indoors, make another fresh one
inch cut and place the tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least one
gallon of water, or a rule of thumb is one quart of water for every inch
of diameter of the trunk," he said.
Be sure to keep the water level about the base of the tree. If the
base dries out, resin will form over the cut end and the tree will not
be able to absorb water and will dry out quickly. Commercially prepared
mixes with aspirin, sugar and other additives added to the water are not
necessary. Research has shown that plain water will keep a tree fresh.
"Check all Christmas tree lights for worn electrical cords," said
Wolford. "Use UL-approved electrical decorations and cords. Unplug tree
lights at night.
"Miniature lights produce less heat and reduce the drying effect on
the tree. Or try the energy-efficient LED lights. LED lights use less
energy and are more durable and longer lasting than incandescent
Christmas lights."
Wolford recommended taking down the tree before it dries out. Many
fresh cut trees if properly cared for will last at least three to five
weeks before drying out.
"Recycle your tree after Christmas," he said. "Many communities will
pick up trees and turn them into chips. You might also put the tree in
your back yard and place bread and suet among the branches for the
birds."
For more information, please check out the University of Illinois
Extension web site Christmas Trees and More at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees
