A tree farm is a common place to find a Christmas tree. Photo via flickr.
Many people set up and decorate different kinds of Christmas trees during the month of December. What do you actually know about that tree that you have in your house?
As a kid I loved the family tradition we had of going to a lot full of Christmas trees and picking out one for us. We’d take it home, set it up, and decorate it. Then later that month Santa would come and it’d be party time. I always loved the Christmas tree, but had no idea what kind of tree it was. I knew it was an evergreen or type of conifer, but that’s about it. Here is a little bit of information about some of the common Christmas trees people celebrate with during December.
What Are The Main Kinds Of Trees Used As Christmas Trees In The USA?
The origin of the Christmas tree is a good story. In the past most trees used as Christmas trees were grown wild, but now almost all trees are grown on Christmas tree farms.
Some people and areas of the country carry on the tradition of heading out to the mountains to cut down their own tree (my brother’s family does this in Montana). Unfortunately, most people don’t have that option and head down to one of those pop up lots that sell the trees during December.
In the USA, the best selling Christmas trees are Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and White Pine.
Scotch Pine. Photo via Flickr.
Scotch Pine
This tree is not a native of the Rocky Mountains, but is common throughout Europe. This tree is very popular to be used as a Christmas tree.
It can grow up to 115 feet tall in the wild, but trees used for Christmas are cut down before then.
The needles are in pairs, with two needles growing together from the same base. They are stiff, twisted, bluish green, and grow up to 2 3/4 inches long.
The cone is egg shaped and about 2 3/4 inches long.
Douglas Fir.
Douglas Fir
This is a common tree of the Rocky Mountains and can be found in Wyoming and Colorado.
In the wild it can grow up to 140 feet tall.
The needles are short, only about 1 1/4 inches long. They are blue-green in color and feel flat. Check out this old post to easily tell the differences between a spruce and fir tree.
The cones are about 2 1/2 inches long with a very unique structure that looks like a three pointed tongue sticking out of the scales.
Fraser Fir needles. Photo via Flickr.
Fraser Fir
Fraser Fir grows naturally in a small section of the Appalachian mountains.
This is a pyramid shaped tree, making it great as a Christmas tree. It grows up to 80 feet tall in the wild.
The branches on this tree grow slightly upward.
The needles appear to be flat, are dark green on the top and have two white stripes on the bottom.
On tree farms, it takes on average 7-10 years to grow a 6-7 foot tree.
A Balsam Fir. Photo via Flickr.
Balsam Fir
This tree grows naturally in Canada and down to northern Pennsylvania.
This is a medium sized tree that only grows to 60 feet tall.
The needles tend to be relatively short – 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long. They are usually dark green on the top and lighter on the bottom side.
White Pines. Photo via Flickr.
White Pine
This is a common tree of the Rocky Mountains and can be found in northern Idaho and north-western Montana.
In the wild it can grow up to 200 feet tall and have a diameter at the base of 5 feet.
The needles are about 4 inches long, blue-green with white striped inner surfaces.
The cones hang down and can be up to 9 inches long.