Real Christmas Trees: A Guide to the 3 Most Popular Types

With Christmas quickly approaching, many out there are beginning the hunt for their Christmas tree. If you are like most who prefer to have real, as opposed to artificial, Christmas trees this year, here are a few things you should know regarding the different types of trees you may be able to find at your local Christmas tree farm.

1) The Leyland Cypress is one of the most sought after Christmas trees in the United States, especially in the lower southeastern region. This tree is perfect for people with allergies, especially to pine, because it gives off a very light (or in some cases, none at all) scent. The needles on the Leyland Cypress tend to be a darker green color, and are arranged in irregular patterns, but give the tree a very "full" look. The bark is pretty delicate, but is capable of withstanding temperatures around 0 degrees farenheight. Use extra caution around the bark, however. Because it is so delicate, it could break into small pieces all over the floor. The Leyland comes in several different variations, with the most popular being the Haggerstown Grey (also known as "the original Leyland Cypress"), the Leighton Green (a more darker color than the traditional version), Gold Cup (a more brighter color than the traditional), Castlewellen (unique and hard to find), Green Spire (a more lighter shade of green than the traditional one), Naylors Blue (hints of blue throughout), Silverdust, and Robinsons Gold. Leyland Cypresses are not a naturally occurring tree, which means that they can be successfully grown in many places throughout the world-including England, Australia, New Zealand and then some states in the United States such as California, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and more. These trees are usually available at Christmas tree farms only, and chances are, if you live in one of the states listed above (or, maybe if you don't), they have a wide selection to choose from. These trees typically range in price from $10-$100+ depending on what size you get, where you purchase it, etc.

2) The Fraser Fir is a very popular type of Christmas tree that can be found throughout most of the world, especially in the United States. They can reach an maximum height of around 80 feet, however, most are smaller. Fraser Firs are typically found in a pyramid type shape, where they are much fuller towards the bottom and thin out a little around the top. Their needles are flattened, and most likely found in a dark green color, however, the colors can vary slightly. They only grow naturally in elevations above 4,500 feet (like, up in the Appalachian Mountains for instance) but can also be found on many Christmas tree farms throughout the country. The prices range from $20-100+ depending on where you purchase it, and what size.

3) The Balsam Fir is very similar to the Fraser Fir, however it is found on a different side of the United States. The Balsam Fir is typically found upwards towards Canada and also on the western coast region of the United States. Unlike the Fraser Fir, it can be grown in virtually all elevations from sea level to close to 5,000 feet. It has a similar pyramid shape to the Fraser Fir, but it's needles tend to have a more circular shape, instead of flat. They also are quite a bit longer. The Balsam Fir can reach about 80 feet tall, however, most only reach around 40 feet or so. They can be found at majority of the Christmas tree farms throughout the west and into Canada and their prices are about the same as the Fraser Fir ($20-100+) depending on the size and which farm you purchase it at.