Choosing a Christmas Tree: Pine, Spruce, Fir, Hemlock or Cedar?

A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree, right? Wrong. There are several different varieties of evergreen grown for use as Christmas trees. Here is a guide to choosing a Christmas tree, based on style, allergic properties, ease of decoration and cost. In around my hometown of Grand Haven are several large Christmas trees farms. I've studied different tree varieties. We'll even look at some non-traditional varieties. Let's begin with the least expensive and work our way up, shall we?

Scotch Pine: These are the least expensive Christmas trees. They usually have a crooked trunk and a more rounded body. The branches do not typically line up to form that geometric, triangle shaped tree. Scotch pine give off a nice fragrance but their needles are very sharp. The branches are also quite close together and it is difficult to get the decorations on. The branches often bow upward also. This makes them difficult to trim, also. I have had allergic skin reactions to Scotch pine. If you don't mind a slightly irregularly shaped tree and having to wear long sleeves and gloves to decorate, then choose the Scotch pine. It is the frugal choice.

Blue Spruce: Blue spruce is the tree most commonly associated with a Christmas tree in the United States. The tree has silvery, blue-green needles, a wonderfully straight trunk and straight, evenly spaced branches. The blue spruce forms a picture perfect triangle and the branches are far enough apart to hang ornaments in a decorative way. While the needles aren't particularly soft, they do not prick you when you touch them. And of course spruce smells like winter bliss.

Douglas or Frasier Fir: The fir is a favored tree in Northern Europe. Firs are quite expensive but absolutely gorgeous. Firs have short, widely spaced soft needles. Fir branches are not as evenly spaced as the blue spruce and they are somewhat closer together. But the tree has a lovely triangle shape.

Eastern Hemlock: Not a typical choice for a Christmas tree and not one found on tree lots, this enticingly beauty would make an excellent choice for cutting if you have property or know someone with a Eastern hemlock on their property. Eastern hemlock grows in back dune and old growth forests. Hemlock needles are soft, short and widely spaced. The eastern hemlock is a delicate tree with whimsically feather-like branches and a slim trunk. I would like to purchase a small hemlock and plant it for use every your.

Norfolk Island Pine: This is the most delicate of the evergreens used as Christmas trees. Their branches resemble ferns. They are soft needled. Typically they are sold live as small table-top Christmas trees.

Cedar: This elegant evergreen with the bewitching smell of old things saved is a majestic lord among trees. Cedars have an irregular shape and more frequently used for decorative boughs, swags and wreaths. Cedars are the perfect tree for Dickens or medieval style Christmas celebration.

Whatever tree you chose, may your holiday be filled with the fragrance of joy. For more on Christmas, visit me at www.thechristmasseason.blogspot.com .