Christmas trees have been sold commercially since the mid 1800s. Currently, they are grown in all 50 states over approximately half a million acres. As much as we love Christmas, many of us certainly don’t have the enthusiasm of Clarke Griswold to go out into the forest and cut down the good ‘ole family Christmas tree. This being the case, we run up the street to the nearest tree stand. Although there are not many differences in what we find from one to the next, there are some basic characteristics we need to consider that will give us a high quality tree. Let’s start by looking at types of Christmas trees.

Types of Trees
There are two basic types of trees that are sold most commonly as Christmas trees, the fir and the spruce. The most common fir tree is the Fraser fir which is known for being compact and dense with sturdy branches. The needles are dark green on the top and silver on the undersides. Spruce trees share many of the outstanding characteristics of the fir but don‘t tend to hold their needles as well.

Picking Up Your Tree
Following are the basic factors you need to consider when selecting your tree:

Size: Take a measuring tape with you. The tree you select needs to be appropriate for the space allowed. Measure the area you will be using before going shopping.
Growth Habit: Make sure the main leader is straight. Sometimes trees are leaning a little when we see them on display and it can be hard to tell ...

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