Types of Trees Used

Both natural and artificial trees are used as Christmas trees.

Natural trees

The best species for use are species of fir (Abies), which have the major benefit of not shedding the needles when they dry out, as well as good foliage colour and scent; but species in other genera are also used. Commonly used species in northern Europe are:

Silver Fir Abies alba (the original species)

Nordmann Fir Abies nordmanniana (as in the photo)

Noble Fir Abies procera

Norway Spruce Picea abies (generally the cheapest)  

Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris  

and in North America and Central America: 

Balsam Fir Abies balsamea  

Fraser Fir Abies fraseri  

Grand Fir Abies grandis  

Guatemalan Fir Abies guatemalensis  

Noble Fir Abies procera  

Red Fir Abies magnifica  

Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii  

Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris  

Stone Pine Pinus pinea (as small table-top trees)  

Several other species are used to a lesser extent. Less-traditional conifers are sometimes used, such as Giant Sequoia, Leyland Cypress and Eastern Juniper. Various types of spruce tree are also used for Christmas trees; but spruce trees (unlike firs) begin to lose their needles rapidly upon being cut, and many spruces, such as the Blue Spruce have very sharp needles, making decorating uncomfortable. Virginia Pine is still available on some tree farms in the southeastern United States, however its winter colour is faded. The long-needled Eastern White Pine is also used there, though it is an unpopular Christmas tree in most parts of the country, owing also to its faded winter coloration and limp branches, making decorating difficult with all but the lightest ornaments. Norfolk Island pine is sometimes used, particularly in Oceania, and in Australia some species of the genera Casuarina and Allocasuarina are also occasionally used as Christmas trees. Hemlock species are generally considered unsuitable as Christmas trees due to their poor needle retention and inability to support the weight of lights and ornaments.