Compare Varieties

Balsam Fir

As a Christmas tree, balsam fir has several desirable properties. It has a dark-green appearance and attractive form. It also retains its pleasing fragrance. Nine to ten years in the field are required to produce a 6-7 foot tree.

Needle Retention: Fair
Fragrance: Excellent
Needle Softness: Excellent

Concolor Fir

As a Christmas tree, Concolor fir has good foliage color, a pleasing natural shape and and excellent needle retention. We aren’t kidding when we mentioned aroma! This tree bears a wonderful citrus scent.

Needle Retention: Excellent
Fragrance: Excellent
Needle Softness: Excellent

Canaan Fir

Canaan Fir has similarities between the Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir. It is a newer variety and is finding an increasing popularity with its symmetrical shape and fullness.

Needle Retention: Excellent
Fragrance: Excellent
Needle Softness: Excellent

Colorado Blue Spruce

Blue spruce is finding increasing popularity as a Christmas tree as a result of its symmetrical form and attractive blue foliage. The species has an excellent natural shape and requires little shearing. It is best to setup your Blue Spruce as a cut Christmas tree later in the Season (preferably after Dec. 1st).

Needle Retention: Fair
Fragrance: Fair
Needle Softness: Fair

Douglas Fir

The Douglas Fir is a softer, more fragrant variety of tree. The branches are spreading and drooping. The needles are dark green or blue green in color and usually 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. They have a sweet fragrance that is often used in holiday potpourri scents.

Needle Retention: Good
Fragrance: Excellent
Needle Softness: Excellent

Fraser Fir

The combination of form, needle retention, dark blue-green color, pleasant scent and excellent shipping characteristics has led to Fraser fir being a most popular Christmas tree species. It requires from 7 to 10 years in the field to produce a 6-7 feet tree.

Needle Retention: Excellent
Fragrance: Excellent
Needle Softness: Excellent

Red Pine

The Red Pine has dark green needles 4″ to 6″ long; big and bushy with strong branches. Perfect for tucking in large ornaments and small packages. The original Christmas tree used in the United States was a Red Pine.

Needle Retention: Excellent
Fragrance: Fair
Needle Softness: Fair

Scotch Pine

As a Christmas tree, it is known for its dark green foliage and stiff branches which are well suited for decorating with both light and heavy ornaments. It has excellent needle retention characteristics and holds up well throughout harvest, shipping and display.

Needle Retention: Excellent
Fragrance: Fair
Needle Softness: Fair

White Pine

For Christmas trees needle retention is good to excellent. White pine has very little aroma, but, conversely, is reported to result in fewer allergic reactions than do some of the more aromatic species. The needles are very soft to the touch however are unable to hold heavy ornaments. To produce a 6-foot tree requires 6-8 years.

Needle Retention: Good
Fragrance: Fair
Needle Softness: Excellent