One of the best Christmas traditions is visiting a Christmas tree farm near you and spending an afternoon with loved ones, finding the perfect fresh-cut tree for your home.
However, Canadians may have to step out of their comfort zone and look for different tree varieties this holiday season due to increase in demand and supply shortage. In the last 5 years, the Christmas tree industry has nearly doubled from $53 million to $100 million in total sales. To learn more about this increase in demand, visit here.
But do not fret! There is a perfect tree out there for everyone, whether you are looking for one that’s low maintenance, strong for heavy ornaments or one that is simply pretty. The most popular types of Christmas trees in Canada are a part of pine, fir, or spruce families. These are called conifers (or evergreens) consisting of needle-shaped or scalelike leaves.
Here are 8 different varieties to help you learn which real tree is best for your home.
Scots Pine/Scotch Pine – Most Popular by Canadians
Scots pine stands tall, triangular, and vividly green. It is the best low-maintenance Christmas tree as it hardly sheds any of its needles over the holidays, even once it dries out. The strong, curved branches hold ornaments well, making this a safe choice when deciding which type of Christmas tree to choose.
White Pine – Most Traditional
This is the largest pine tree in the country and is provincial to Ontario. White Pine’s long needles make it difficult to decorate however, it appears soft and feathery. This is a more natural-looking tree that is ideal for people who are sensitive to fragrance.
Douglas Fir – Most Fullest
This tree is ideal for big and open spaces. Douglas Fir is often a favourite for its perfect pyramid shape. As well, its sweetly scented and shiny needles come in all directions, making it nice and full. However, Douglas Fir does not last as long as other types, and its needles will fall if not watered enough, so be sure to choose this one just a few weeks before the holiday event.
Balsam Fir – Most Fragrant
Balsam Fir’s short and flat dark green needles are easy to decorate, and its slender branches are commonly used for wreaths. Its spicy, fresh aroma lasts throughout the holiday season. Did you know this is the number one choice of Christmas tree in Quebec, and the official provincial tree of New Brunswick? Scots Pine may be the most popular, but Balsam Fir is the most Canadian Christmas tree.
Fraser Fir – Easiest to Transport
Fraser Firs are known as the longest-lasting species of Christmas trees, durable to ship all over the world. Its strong branches are slightly turned upward to give the tree a compact appearance while holding up decorations efficiently. As well the tree’s one-inch needles are soft to touch, ideal for varietal families with pets and young children.
Noble Fir – Largest Varietal
Noble Firs are the most versatile of the Christmas firs, being made as wreaths and garlands, or decorated with ornaments and lights as a tree. Sometimes it can reach 260 ft tall, making them a great option especially if you are looking for a tall tree for an office building or a two-story entryway.
White Spruce – Best for Ornaments
White Spruce contains symmetrical proportions with strong thick and heavy slender twigs, perfect to hold ornaments well. Its needles are known to produce a very pungent smell when crushed which people find it either to be appealing or appalling. White Spruce must be watered regularly to prevent it from shedding.
Colorado Blue Spruce – Coolest Colour
Colorado Blue Spruce is not your typical Christmas tree. It has sharp silvery-blue needles and a unique fresh and piney smell. If you are looking for something different, this tree could be the one that stands out to you. But be warned, you may want to wear gloves when decorating a Colorado Blue Spruce.
Choosing a real tree over a fake one has many benefits. Not only can you support a local farm business, but real Christmas trees are 100% biodegradable and absorb carbon dioxide and other environmental gases emitting oxygen. After the holidays, Christmas trees can be an important renewable resource through recycling, composting or used as a habitat for wildlife.