Blake Wile
Charlie Brown didn’t wring his hands; he just plucked up the saddest little tree he could find. But if you’re picky about color or fragrance or staying power—or tired of getting needled—here’s a guide:
Fraser fir:
Color is light green to dark green to dark blue-green, with a silvery-blue underside.
You can put it up at Thanksgiving and know it will last.
Needles are short, flat, soft.
Branches are strong.
Fragrance is strong.
Shape is a uniform pyramid.
Douglas fir:
Color ranges light to dark to bluish-green.
Put it up around December 1.
Needles are soft, fine, short.
Branches are middling-strong; take care.
Fragrance is strong.
Branches spread and droop.
Balsam fir:
Color is dark green.
Don’t put it up until December 8 or so.
Needles are soft, flat, short, blunt.
Branches can be soft; use caution.
Fragrance is strong.
Spire tip, uncrowded lower branches.
Canaan fir:
Color is bluish-green with a frosted, silvery-white underside.
Don’t put it up until December 8 or so.
Needles are soft, flat, short.
Branches can be weak; take care.
Fragrance is strong.
Shape is narrow and conical.
Scotch pine:
Color is slightly bluish and dark to medium green.
You can put it up at Thanksgiving and know it will last.
Needles are cactus-sharp.
Branches are strong.
Fragrance is medium-strong.
Shape is dense and full.
White pine:
Color is bluish-green to bright green.
Put it up around December 1.
Needles are feather-soft, long, almost fluffy.
Branches endanger heavy ornaments.
Fragrance is negligible.
Shape is dense and full.
Norway spruce:
Color is a shiny, deep dark green.
Don’t put it up until December 8 or so.
Needles are cactus-sharp.
Branches are strong.
Fragrance is medium-strong.
Shape is symmetrical.
Blue spruce:
Color is a light powdery blue to a dark bluish green.
Don’t put it up until December 8 or so.
Needles are cactus-sharp.
Branches are strong.
Fragrance is negligible.
Shape is dense and wide.
