Common Live Christmas Tree Types and Their Advantages

|11.25.19

Christmas is quickly coming and soon enough it will be time to set up your Christmas tree. If your family prefers a live tree to an artificial one, you have a big decision ahead of you – the type of Christmas tree you want in your home. While there are plenty of variations available, they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. 

Below we will dive into the pros and cons of 18 live Christmas tree variations to make your decision this year a little easier!

1. Blue Spruce Christmas Trees

Often considered the ideal Christmas tree in terms of aesthetics, Blue Spruces have silver needles and a wonderfully symmetrical shape. Because they’re so full, their needles hold onto the tree very well and the tree can handle the heaviest of ornaments. Unfortunately, Blue Spruces don’t have that classic evergreen smell and their needles tend to be sharp. 

2. White Pine Christmas Trees

White Pine Christmas trees have blue-green needles, are soft to the touch, and hold onto their needles well. Like Blue Spruce trees, White Pine trees don’t have a strong smell so they’re great for people with allergies and scent sensitivities. One great feature of White Pine trees is that they grow exceptionally tall, making them a great choice for rooms with tall ceilings. 

3. Balsam Fir Christmas Trees

The most notable feature of Balsam Firs’ dark green Christmas needles is their strong Christmas scent. Unfortunately, they don’t hold heavy ornaments well because their branches are very flexible. Like Blue Spruce and White Pine, Balsam Fir doesn’t easily lose its needles. 

4. Douglas Fir Christmas Trees

One of the most common Christmas trees available, Douglas Firs are affordable, soft to the touch, and sweetly scented. They’re very water-dependent, so if they run out of water their needles will fall and their branches will droop. Douglas Firs also tend to be more dense and compact. 

5. Fraser Fir Christmas Trees

The most fragrant tree on our list, Fraser Firs have thick and heavy branches that are perfect for holding ornaments. They have dark green needles and like Douglas Firs they are quite dense and compact. 

6. Noble Fir Christmas Trees

Noble Fir trees are a perfect Christmas tree – they’re classic looking and smelling, and will last the whole Christmas season. Unlike some of the other trees we’ve mentioned in our list, Noble Firs have shorter needles and limbs. 

7. White or Concolor Fir Christmas Trees

These trees have more of a citrus smell and are scented all season, with blue-green needles that are soft to the touch. White Firs can be more expensive to purchase as they take longer to grow than all the other trees on our list. 

8. Norway Spruce Trees Christmas Trees

Norway Spruces have forest-green needles with a mild scent. Their cone shape provides the perfect Christmas tree aesthetic. Unfortunately, these trees lose their needles quickly, and when they do have needles they tend to be sharp. 

9. White or Black Hills Spruce Christmas Trees

These trees have unique gray-tinted needles that hold onto the tree very well – perfect for heavy ornaments. The worst part of these tree variations is that when the needles are crushed, they can smell skunk-like. 

10. Scotch Pine Christmas Trees

Scotch Pine trees have a long-lasting pine scent and they hold needles very well. As far as their cons go, these trees don’t have a Christmas tree classic deep-green color and they often have crooked trunks. 

11. Grand Fir Christmas Trees

Grand fir trees are a magnificent and majestic species of evergreen in the Pacific Northwest. They can grow up to 230 feet tall, with branches that form an arch over their crowns like something out (or maybe against) nature itself! When you smell these grand firs for yourself – especially if there is still green needles left on them after wintertime storms- then inhale deeply before walking past your own personal “grand” fir tree each day. It’s exciting like size but subtle at first glance so as not overwhelming.

12. Canaan Christmas Trees

There are many different fir trees to choose from this season, but don’t underestimate the beauty of a medium-growing evergreen like Canaan! It has wonderful needle retention and is similar in shape/growth rate as Fraser or Balsam Firs. A fun alternative for those looking something unique – try it out yourself today!

13. Virginia Pine Christmas Trees

The Virginia Pine gets its name from the state where it’s native, but this tree can grow up to 70 feet tall with branches that are only slightly shorter than those on standard pines. The needles also sport an interesting twist-looking design and come in pairs at maturity–making them perfect for arts and crafts!

14. Leyland Cypress Christmas Trees

If you’re allergic to other types of trees, don’t miss out on having a real tree. The Leyland cypress is not scented at all and doesn’t shed many needles or produce sap which make them great for people who suffer from sensitive allergies!

15. Korean Fir Christmas Trees

The Korean fir is a popular choice for Christmas trees because it has dark green needles with striking silvery undersides. The unique shape and texture add even more appeal, making this species stand out among other evergreen options like the Douglas Fir or Nordman Seasonal Beech!

16. Eastern Red Cedar Christmas Trees

The Eastern Red Cedar is a tree that’s part of the juniper family. It has green needles and produces red berries in fall! These trees are best for the outdoors since they can grow to over 100 feet tall!

17. Corkbark Fir Christmas Trees

The Corkbark Fir is a beautiful variety of subalpine trees. It has bluer needles and makes an excellent Christmas decoration with its compact shape that’s perfect for homes in regions where other trees don’t grow well, such as western US/Canada or Europe!

18. Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial trees have been around for a long time, and they’ve gotten better with each generation. You can now find synthetic tree varieties that look just like natural ones, down to the silhouette of its branches! Invest in some prelit options too – it saves time and guarantees satisfaction from family members.

Once you’ve enjoyed your Christmas tree, recycle it using Brents Tree Service! Give us a call for more information today.