Here's Why So Many People Are Switching to Real Christmas Trees This Year
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The data is in, and holiday revelers are loving real Christmas trees. According to a 2023 survey by the Real Christmas Tree Board, 20% of respondents are switching from an artificial tree to a real tree this year. And the ones who did last year are satisfied with the swap, with 84% of respondents of first-time real-tree buyers who switched last year saying they wished they'd done so sooner. A huge majority say it's worth the price (83%) and that the scent brings them joy (94%). Sure, the survey itself might be self-serving for the organization, but the data doesn't lie. Plus, it's easy to see why so many people are happy with real trees when you consider the other benefits to going for real over fake.
"Christmas trees are an agricultural commodity, and choosing a real Christmas tree can support a local farm business," says Stephanie D. Radin, M.S., the agriculture/horticulture program leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Dutchess County, New York. "Real Christmas trees benefit the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and other environmental gases and emitting oxygen."
Radin also explains how tree farms help to preserve green spaces and how they make an "important renewable resource." "After the holidays, Christmas trees can be recycled, composted or used as a habitat for wildlife, she explains. "They can serve as mulch in your landscape."
And since there are so many different types, you may find it difficult selecting the right one for your home. Here are 20 types of popular Christmas trees to consider buying in 2023, along with their strengths and weaknesses. Some are known for their scent, others for their needle retention, others for the colors of the foliage or strength in the branches. Regardless of which one you choose, with proper care, your evergreen should last at least five weeks or more.
Looking for more great Christmas ideas? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:
How to Keep a Christmas Tree Fresh | The Best Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas | The Best Artificial Christmas Trees
Best Overall: Balsam Fir
The balsam fir is that all-around, classic Christmas tree. "It has a strong, 'spicy' Christmas tree scent and its conical form and dark green color make it what most people identify with as a Christmas tree," Radin says. "It also has excellent needle retention! Its soft green leaves are a favorite for wreaths." And when it comes to smell, the Farmer's Almanac says this is the most fragrant of the Christmas tree varieties.
Stout Branches: Virginia Pine
Stout branches and dense foliage make this one of the most popular types of Christmas trees in the south, the National Christmas Tree Board notes. It also says these are great if you're looking for a small-to-medium tree.
Fullest: Douglas Fir
"While not a true fir, Douglas can be found on every tree farm," says A.D. Ali, Ph.D., Manager of Technical Services at the Davey Institute of The Davey Tree Expert Co. "With dark green or blue-green colored needles that are soft to the touch and a sweet scent, Douglas firs hold strong as a favorite." The National Christmas Tree Association agrees, noting the Douglas Fir is one of the most popular Christmas trees in the United States because of their perfect pyramid shape. Also, since they radiate needles in all directions, Douglas Firs tend to be nice and full. But that fullness comes with a price: "This tree will drop its needles if it doesn’t get enough water," Dr. Ali warns.
Most Beautiful: Noble Fir
Staying true to its name, this fir is known for being tall, straight, symmetrical and with needles that curve upward so you can see the bottom of the branch. In addition to Christmas trees, the branches are good for making wreaths, garlands and other decorations.
Strongest Fragrance: Grand Fir
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the grand fir reaches as high as 300 feet, making it one of the tallest firs. "It is easily distinguished from other Pacific Northwest firs by its sprays of lustrous needles in two distinct rows," they note. They have a grayish brown bark and will fill your entire room with its warm and earthy fragrance.
Best for Decorations: Fraser Fir
The Fraser fir is for those who like to load up their trees with decorations. "The needles are soft to the touch, but at the same time, its branches are stiff and will hold up well to ornaments," Radin says. "It has a nice evergreen scent and needle retention is excellent." And there's tradition associated with it, too: Dr. Ali adds that this is the type of tree most often used at the White House.
Coolest Color: Colorado Blue Spruce
Those looking for something a little different might be drawn to the color of the Colorado blue spruce, which comes with a wintry, blue/silver hue. But if you have toddlers at home, this probably isn't the best choice. "Blue spruce have stiff branches with sharp needles, so watch out!" Radin says. "It's best to wear long sleeves when handling and decorating. If you have nosy pets, this may be a good choice, as the irritation from the needles will usually keep them away." According to the Farmer's Almanac, it has good needle retention, too.
Up-and-Coming: Canaan Fir
Canaan Firs are often described as being very similar to the balsam fir, Michigan State University Extension reports, but with the added needle retention of the Fraser fir. "It is a relative 'new kid on the block' in comparison to other Christmas tree species," Radin says. "It has a dense pyramidal shape like Fraser and balsam fir, and its needles tend to curve upward."
Great for Ornaments: White Spruce
The National Christmas Tree Association says these are great for ornaments because they have short, stiff needles. "They have excellent foliage color and have a good, natural shape," Dr. Ali says. Just don't buy it for the smell, he adds. "The needles are bluish-green, but they have an unpleasant aroma when crushed."
Best Small Tree: Black Hills Spruce
While the tree in this photo is a 44-foot specimen of Black Hills spruce, this variety of tree is actually known for its "slower growth rate and more compact form," Michigan State University notes. That means it's actually ideal for a table-top tree. MSU also notes that, like the white spruce, Black Hills spruce has a natural pyramidal form and short, gray-green needles.
Best Smell: White Fir
Also called the concolor fir, this tree has been gaining in popularity. "It has a pleasant blue/green silvery color and the needles when crushed have a pleasant citrus aroma," Radin says. "It also has excellent needle retention."
Best Shape: Norway Spruce
The Norway spruce is what you think of when you think "Christmas tree" — so much so that this is the variety on display in Rockefeller Center this year.. "Norway spruce is desirable for its weeping, pendulous form as a Christmas tree," Radin says. "But needle retention is not very good unless the trees are cut fresh and kept watered."
Best Needle Retention: Scots Pine/Scotch Pine
According to ProFlowers.com, the Scots Pine (or Scotch Pine) is known for its darker green/blueish green color, which makes a statement in a living room. "Scots trees have a long-lasting aroma," Dr. Ali says. "And you don’t have to worry about losing needles if they're kept well-watered."
Best to Use as Decor: Eastern White Pine
These are best if you're going for a natural look and want the tree to be the focus in and of itself. According to The National Christmas Tree Association, they're not great for ornaments and have little aroma, but the soft, flexible needles sure are pretty. "The white have almost no fragrance, making it a favorite for those who have sensitive noses," Dr. Ali says.
Long Lasting: Nordmann Fir
With its deep green color and full branches, it's easy to see why this fir is one of the most popular varieties of Christmas trees in Europe (and gaining steam on this side of the pond). But it gets even better when you know that these trees are also known for their long lifespans and good needle retention, so they'll last, too.
For Something Different: Eastern Red Cedar
With needles that jet straight upward, Eastern red cedars are particularly dense and green. Fun fact: Despite its name, it's not actually a cedar tree — it's really a part of the juniper family.
New Kid on the Block: Korean Fir
While it's not anyone's first choice of Christmas tree, the Korean fir has been popping up more and more because of its shape and color. "It has dark green needles with striking silvery undersides," Michigan State University Extension reports. "The form and unique texture add to this species’ appeal."
Most Unusual: Corkbark Fir
You can't find these everywhere — they're mostly found in the western part of the United States and Canada. But if you're in that region and want something unique, you can try the corkbark fir, which is a variety of the subalpine fir. "Subalpine fir makes a beautiful Christmas tree with a compact, pyramidal form and bluish needles," Michigan State University Extension says, noting it's a tree for "connoisseurs" (an idea we love). "Corkbark fir is slower growing and more compact than subalpine fir and has even bluer needles."
Landscape Ornament: Arizona Cypress
Described as being heat and drought tolerant, the Arizona cypress tree is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows 40 to 50 feet long in height and extends in a pyramidal shape that makes it beautiful to use as Christmas trees or landscape ornaments.
Privacy Screen: Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress trees are fast-growing, lush and great to use as fences. Deck them in vibrant holiday-themed decor and watch them grow up to 40 to 60 feet tall. The dark green and gray evergreen is popular in the South East and is sap-free — perfect for anyone who may be allergic.
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