Learn more about the various species of trees available.
SPECIES CHARACTERISTICS
Austrian Pine This very long needled pine, also known as black pine, in the past
were grown extensively for Christmas trees, however they have
lost popularity in recent years. Needles are long, stiff, round and
grow in bundles. The darker green color and heavy thick branches,
spaced at wide intervals, attract buyers with lots of space and large
heavy ornaments. Needle retention is very good. This variety is
more difficult to find today.
Scotch Pine Has been the most popular Christmas tree in Ohio-this pine has
dark to medium green color with firm branches. Needle retention
is very good. Needles range from 1.5” to 3” long and grow in
clusters of two. Depending on shearing, this tree can be very full.
It is found statewide and is easy to decorate.
White Pine (Eastern) This fluffy looking Christmas tree with its bright green color and
excellent needle retention make it a popular tree. The needles are
long, soft and grow in clusters of five. The tree has soft pliable
branches and extremely heavy ornaments may pull the branches
out of shape. If sheared closely, and long ornament hooks are used
this fragrant soft tree is friendly to young fingers and a full looking
tree.
Red Pine Red pine , a tree native to areas of northeaster and north central
United States and southeastern Canada, was commonly used as a
Christmas tree during the first half of the century throughout its
natural range but today it is found only occasionally in Christmas
tree plantations, It’s 4” to 6” long, medium to dark green,
somewhat brittle needles are attached to moderately stiff branches
in groups of two. Because of their natural growth habit and
because they are commonly sheared relatively light, red pine tend
to produce a more open Christmas tree than many of the other
pines. However, because they retain their needles for 4 or 5 years
they still appear moderately dense. Needle retention of cut red pine
is excellent.
Southwestern White Pine Southwestern white pine, also called border pine or Mexican white
pine, is a native of the southwestern United States and northern
Mexico. Its 1.5”to 3.5” long, dark green to blue-green needles are
attached to branches in groups of five. Southwestern white pine is
similar to the much more common eastern white pine but has
shorter needles which are commonly retained for three or more
years (compared to one or two years for eastern white pine) and
stiffer branches providing better support for ornaments. Its natural
growth habit allows it to be sheared to a variety of densities form
quite open to extremely dense. Though grown by only a few Ohio
Christmas tree growers, southwestern white pine is an attractive
Christmas tree with very good cut tree needle retention.
Canaan Fir Canaan fir also called West Virginia Balsam Fir is a genetic cross
of the northern balsam fir from the northern United States and
Canada and the Fraser balsam fir from the southeastern United
States. The blue-green, flatish needles are a silvery color on the
underside of the branches. Its fragrance is sweet and spicy like
balsam and Fraser fir. Its soft lacing branches are sturdy enough to
support ornaments of many sizes. This variety is grown in Ohio
for its tolerance to our heavier clay based soils. Needle retention is
very good for this water loving tree.
Balsam Fir Balsam Fir, a tree native to areas of northeast and north central
United States and much of eastern Canada, is widely grown as a
Christmas tree throughout its native range. Its .75” to 1.25” long
needles are flattened in cross-section (do not roll easily between
fingers), have blunt tips and are attached individually to the twigs.
Needle color is generally dark green with two wide bands on the
lower surface. Balsam fir makes an extremely attractive Christmas
tree, producing a pleasant balsam aroma and having the layered
appearance commonly associated with traditional Christmas trees.
Branches are relatively stiff, capable of supporting numerous
ornaments. Needle retention of fresh cut trees is good. Because of
it susceptibility to late spring frosts, balsam fir is generally grown
by only a few Christmas tree growers in the northern part of Ohio.
Fraser Fir Fraser fir is the balsam fir of the southeastern United States, grown
on well drained but fairly moist soils. Its dark blue-green needles
are flat in appearance attached singly to its branches. These sturdy
and symmetrically branched trees have a distinct blue/silver color
on the underside their needles. This fragrant tree has excellent
needle retention and is considered the ‘cadillac’ of cut Christmas
trees. If the grower has the correct soils and drainage, this tree can
be grown in Ohio producing an excellent classic Christmas tree.
Douglas Fir This green to blue-green tree has soft needles about 1” long. The
flat green needles are attached to the branches singly. Although
the branches are soft and pliable, its growth habit is very full
giving the decorator a multitude of branches for placing
ornaments. Its distinctive feature is its citrus scent--similar to
lemons and oranges. This species normally grows in northern
United States (east and west) at higher elevations than in Ohio.
This makes this early budding tree sensitive to our early spring
frosts. Needle retention is very good --an excellent fragrant
Christmas tree. (It’s not a true fir.)
Concolor Fir Also known as white fir, this long-needled fir has round 1.5” to
2.5” long silvery-blue needles singly attached to the branches in an
upright manner. This species normally grows in high elevations in
the mountain ranges on the west coast. This early budding fir is
sensitive to our early spring frosts. It prefers well drained but
moist soil. Concolor fir grow with vigor and will accept moderate
to severe shearing to control the growth. This layered, slightly
wild growing, tree has very good to excellent needle retention.
The strong citrus and somewhat soapy scent is unique to this tree.
Colorado Blue Spruce Blue spruce come in a variety of colors from a light powdery blue
to a rich dark blue-green. Its 1” long , round sharp needles are
attached singly to heavy branches in a bottle brush fashion. This
tree will accept heavy ornaments, is usually full when kept sheared
or it can be layered in appearance to allow spaces for large
decorations. Blue spruce have a nice aroma but the needle
retention is average.
Norway Spruce Norway spruce are found throughout the United States. In Ohio it
is considered an endemic (or naturally occurring) tree. The shiny
dark green needles of this spruce are what makes it the traditional
Christmas tree. Its short .50” to.75” needles are attached to the
branches singly. This densely branched tree has a traditional
fragrance and sturdy branches for ornaments. Most often used as a
landscaping tree today, it can still be found as a Christmas tree at
some plantations. Needle retention is fair--so make sure this tree
has been fresh cut (or you cut it) in mid December to get the best
results in the house.
White Spruce White spruce have .50” to.75” long needles that have a silvery-blue
appearance. The needles are attached singly and lay tightly on the
branches. Its sturdy branches lend themselves to heavy ornaments
and its full growth habit give many branches to choose from. Like
the Norway, this tree is commonly used in landscaping. Not as
common as the blue or Norway, the white spruce is best used for
short term displays. Needle retention is again fair like the
norway--so make sure it fresh cut (or you cut it) in mid-December
for the best results in the house.
Serbian Spruce Serbian spruce, a tree native to northern Europe and northern Asia,
is more commonly seen as a planted ornamental rather than as a
Christmas tree. Its .50” to.75” sharply pointed needles are nearly
square in cross-section (allowing them to be easily rolled between
fingers) and are attached individually to the twigs. Needle color is
medium to dark green with two very distinct bands on the lower
surface giving the tree a silvery appearance. Serbian spruce makes
an attractive Christmas tree, though the needle retention of cut
trees is only average.
