Types of Trees

There are three primary species of Christmas trees available in Canada: Fir, Pine and Spruce

Fir

Balsam Fir

• Available from Alberta to Newfoundland.
• Reaches 12-18 metres (40-60 feet) and lives 150-200 years
• Balsam fir needles are flat with a rounded or notched tip, lower branches have two rows of needles along the sides of each branch, dark green on top and whiter on the bottom.

Fraser Fir

• Grows well in soils that are fertile, rocky, sandy or acidic.
• Dark green, lush dense foliage, strong needle retention, strong branches that can hold heavy ornaments, light fragrance.

Douglas Fir

• Grown widely from western North America, from the interior of BC to the mountains of Mexico.
• Dense, bushy shape, easy to decorate, sturdy branches are able to support many ornaments

Canaan Fir

• Canaan Firs are grown in moist soils that are too wet to grow Fraser Firs and Douglas Firs.
• Similar to the Fraser and Balsam firs in growth and appearance.
• Needles have a green topside and a silver/white underside.

Concolor Fir

• Grown in the eastern US and Canada.
• Concolor Fir needles are small and narrow (1-1.5 in. in length) and laid out in rows.
• Needles have good foliage colour, good retention and an aesthetically pleasing shape and scent.

Pine

White pine

• The White Pine occupies much of Eastern Canada’s boreal forests.

• An evergreen tree, lacy blue-green foliage, excellent needle retention, soft and flexible branches and needles.  Its mild fragrance makes it ideal for those with allergies

Scots Pine

• the most widely distributed pine around the world.
• Conical shape, stiff branches that can support heavy ornaments and lights, dense foliage, fragrant aroma, good needle retention, even if the tree becomes dry and sharp. Needles are: Sharp, blue-green in colour and 5.8 cm (2-4 in.)

Spruce

Colorado Blue Spruce

• Grown in southeastern Canada, this is a slower growing tree and takes a few years more to bring to market.
• Symmetrical in shape and has blue foliage with a colour variation from blue to green.
• Grows up to 20-30 metres (65-100 feet) in height.
• Colorado Blue Spruce needles are 15-30 mm (0.5-1.5 in.) long, short and stiff, four-sided.

White Spruce

• Widely grown in North America, from the Canadian Shield to northern United States.
• Good needle retention. 
• The wood from white spruce is used to make musical instruments.
• Nice shape and colour. Needles are blunt tipped, blue-green, short and stiff (15-22 mm/1/2 – 1 inch), four-sided.

Source: Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association, Christmas Tree Shopping Tips & Safeguards, How Christmas Trees Work