July 1, 2026Christmas in July Day 1
The live Christmas tree offers many options, depending on our aesthetic preferences and the environmental conditions in which we choose to place it. Many of us have seen the Griswold family's journey to find their “perfect” Christmas tree. They wander into the snow-covered woods and choose that perfect tree, only to discover they forgot their saw. How they pulled that tree out by the roots is pure movie magic.
Are you aware that in the United States, national forests allow you to cut down your very own Christmas tree? It requires planning, an inexpensive permit, and a visit to the Forest Service's office to obtain regulations and directions on where cutting is permitted. Cutting trees in national forests helps thin the forest and maintain its health. There are three main varieties of trees to choose from. Pines, Firs nd Spruces. Here is a guide to help you distinguish between them.
- Pines: Needles grow in bundles or clusters (e.g., 2, 3, or 5 needles per bundle).
- Firs: Needles are flat, soft, and attach singly to the branch.
- Spruces: Needles are sharp, square, and roll easily between your fingers.
- In my research, I found many facts about trees that will fill pages. To simplify, I will emphasize the common trees among the Pines, Firs, and Spruce.
White Pine is found in Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, California, and the Rockies. It is liked for it long, soft, feathery, light green needles, and is allergy-friendly. Its branches do require lightweight ornaments.
Virginia Pine is a well-loved tree in the southern United States. This tree is trimmed to resemble the cone shape of a Christmas tree and features dense, woody branches. It lends well to Christmas decorations.
Radiate Pine features dense foliage, strong dark green branches, long soft needles, and a fresh pine scent, making it a popular choice in Australia.
Balsam Fir is located east of the Mississippi River and in Eastern Canada. This tree carries a strong holiday aroma and a full classic teardrop shape. It is popular for its deep green color and long-lasting needles.
Douglas Fir is located in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain, Southwestern, and Pacific Regions of the United States. The tree is not a true fir tree; it is scientifically known as a “false hemlock.” It is the second-tallest conifer in the world. The tallest being the Coast Redwood. The Douglas fir has a sweet scent and strong branches for ornaments, making it a popular choice.
Noble Fir is found in the cooler, mountainous areas across the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the Appalachians. It has a blue-green color, strong branches for ornamental support, excellent needle retention, and a pleasant fragrance.
Fraser Fir is found in the Appalachian Mountains as well as the Perthshire and Highland Regions of the UK. A premier Christmas tree is prized for its excellent needle retention, strong branches to hold heavy ornaments, and classic pyramid shape. It has a pleasant, mild scent and beautiful, blue-green needles with silvery undersides.
Nordmann Fir is found in the Scottish Highlands, specifically the Black Isle/Inverness. It has strong dark green needles that don’t drop easily and has a symmetrical shape.
Norway Spruce is native to cool, moist climates in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, ranging from Scandinavia to the Alps and Balkan Mountains. It was widely introduced to North America, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, for timber and ornamental use. This tree’s color is dark green with moderate needle retention. The tree is triangular in shape with drooping branches.
Colorado Blue Spruce grows in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. This spruce has a silvery-blue color with a symmetrical pyramid shape. Its strong, sharp, short-needled branches are worthy of holding your heaviest of ornaments.
White Spruce grows in the northernmost regions of North America, reaching near the Arctic tree line, and thrives in cool, moist boreal environments. It also has a blue-green color and a good shape. This spruce has better needle retention than some of the other spruces and requires regular watering.
Black Hills Spruce, the name of this tree tells where it hails from, the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota and into northeastern Wyoming. This traditional favorite has a dense, conical shape with deep green to blue-green needles on stiff branches with an aromatic scent.
Once you have decided on your tree, the placement in the home is important. Here is a video to guide you decide.
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