Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fresh Christmas tree selection
Local nurseries are stocked with fabulous fresh greens and copious amounts of Christmas trees. The scent of a real tree has created many a lasting memory for most of us.
Of course we can’t forget the 60’s with the metal trees and rotating colored lights! They’ve made a comeback in the last few years and I’ve also spotted pink and champagne colored artificial trees! They can be fun too.
But TODAY is about choosing the best TYPE of real tree to suit your needs.
If it’s the scent you aspire to, then I suggest a Balsam Fir or a Fraser Fir, 2 of the most fragrant types of Christmas trees available. I found this interesting regarding the difference between these 2 firs from a New Hampshire Master Gardener Association.
Two Christmas tree types with good needle retention include the White Pine and the Norway Pine. The white pine is also fragrant with soft looking 2 to 4 inch long needles while the Norway pine has soft 3 to 5 inch long needles. I love that look and needle retention is very important if you buy your tree early.
The white spruce is also called the Old-fashioned Christmas tree with it’s symmetrical shape and short, dense needles. You can hang a lot of ornaments on it.
The Colorado spruce is tough. You can hang heavy ornaments on this guy and it’s blue/green foliage really looks pretty.
For more information on types of Christmas trees and where to find them in your state:
- In Minnesota click HERE
- In Wisconsin click HERE
- In Iowa click HERE
- In South Dakota click HERE
- In Pennsylvania click HERE
The vast majority of Christmas trees are grown on farms–much like any other crop–specifically for the purpose of being harvested for Christmas trees. These trees wouldn’t exist in the first place, if it wasn’t for the public demand for Christmas trees. Learn more HERE.
Make sure your tree has plenty of water. Tomorrow we’ll talk about the PLACEMENT of your tree. Consider them BEFORE buying!
Check out these fun facts about the history of fresh Christmas trees in the US!