Balsam
The Balsam fir is a native evergreen well-adapted to the cold climates of the northern US and was the first plantation-grown Christmas tree in the Northeast. It has soft, dark green foliage with flattened needles about three-quarters of an inch in length, and a distinctive spicy fragrance. It’s sturdy branching and excellent needle retention have made it a long time favorite Christmas tree.
Canaan
(ka-nane) similar to a Fraser Fir and at times can be difficult to tell them apart. Canaan's have lustrous dark green, short, soft needles that will not prick and stab as they are soft and rounded. The branches are sturdy and spread apart giving it a more open feel while also leaving plenty of room for placing any size ornament on the tree. It is considered one of the best for needle retention and has been labeled "the smell of Christmas" with it's Balsam Fir-like fragrance.
Concolor
A tree similar in appearance to a Colorado Blue Spruce. They have small, narrow needles that are about 1 ½" in length and have a waxy coating that give them a blue-gray tint. They remain fresh and retain needles for several weeks if well watered. Concolors have a unique citrus-like scent and the dried needles are a great addition to potpourri. Some people with tree allergies claim less issues with the Concolor than other tree species.
Douglas
have fine, soft blue to dark green medium length needles. They are a "tight" tree with little branch spacing giving them a full uniform shape. Because of the tight spacing they can handle a large number of lights. The branches are fairly sturdy and can handle fairly weighty ornaments. One of the top major Christmas tree species in the U.S., Douglas Firs create the iconic Christmas tree scent that will last the entire Christmas season when well watered.
Fraser
One of the most popular Christmas trees and have great needle retention. They tend to be on the slender side and are great for smaller rooms. Their branches turn upward with short, soft, deep green needles that have a silver tint underneath. The silver underside enhances the glow from tree lights. Fraser’s sturdy, moderately spaced branches allow large, heavy ornaments to “hang” rather than “lay” on the tree. Lights can also be placed toward the tree center.
White Pine
This species has very soft, long flowing green needles and a very full appearance. They retain their needles throughout the holiday season and have little or no fragrance which makes them excellent for people who suffer from allergies to more fragrant trees. White pines are not a good choice for heavy ornaments but have a beautiful light, feathery appearance and would look great with mini lights and lace ornaments or small bows tied to the branches!
Photos by Jonathan Martin