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| Tree Types |
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The Most Popular Christmas Trees and Their Distinctive Qualities
In the regions where production exceeds demand,
the most popular Christmas trees are Balsam fir, Fraser fir, Scotch pine and White spruce.
The Balsam and Fraser firs
All firs have soft, flattened needles. Depending on species, the needles vary in lenght.
All types of firs are characterized by their pleasant frangrance. Their needles are always dark green.
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The balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) are respectively the most popular and the second most popular Christmas tree in Canada. The balsam fir is found in cooler climates and is therefore found in abundance in Canada. The Fraser fir is very similar in form and appearance to balsam fir. It is found abundantly in Canada and in some regions of the United States. To grow, both types of trees demand abundant soil moisture and a humid atmosphere. Growth is best on well-drained soils that are somewhat acid. |
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In most regions of Canada, seeds are grown for two years in a nursery bed before being moved to a transplant bed. The transplant will remain there for three years before being transplanted in a Christmas tree farm. From this transplant, it will then take 8-9 years to grow a 2 metre (7 foot) tree.
In Nova Scotia, Christmas trees are most often cultivated in natural stands; seed trees provide replacement seedlings for the mature trees that are harvested.
Their characteristics make them very desirable Christmas trees. They have a long lasting pleasant fragrance as
well as a good appearance: their needles are dark-green, they are long lasting and the shape of the trees is
attractive.
Scotch pine
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The Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the third most popular Christmas tree in Canada. It grows in a wide variety of soils and sites. The tree was originally introduced in Canada by European settlers. Seeds are grown for three years in a nursery bed before being transplanted on a Christmas tree plantation. After having been transplanted, it takes 7-8 years to grow a 2 metre (7 foot) tree. It is renowned for its dark green foliage and its excellent needle retention. |
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White spruce
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White Spruce (Picea glauca) is a conifer found throughout Canada. Its cone-shaped crown along with its spreading branches gives it a nice appearance which makes it a good Christmas tree. A nicely shaped 2 metre tree takes 7 years to grow after having been transplanted from a nursery bed. The tree grows best in moist, acidic, loamy soils. White spruce has excellent foliage color, short stiff needles and a good natural shape. |
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- Images are courtesy of the
National Christmas Tree Association.
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