Author: David Moorhead, University of Georgia

Live Christmas trees have been brought into homes and decorated during the holiday season for more than 500 years. Each year, more than 50 million live Christmas trees are used in households across Europe, and more than 33 million in North America. Live Christmas trees have an attractiveness, fragrance, and tradition that cannot be matched with artificial substitutes.

Christmas trees are grown in many areas of the world, and you can choose your tree from a wide variety of species. It takes five to 12 years to grow a Christmas tree, and for each tree harvested, two or three seedlings will be planted.

You can select your live Christmas tree from a local retail lot, where there can be a variety of trees from local or more distant growers. Or you can visit a local choose-n-cut Christmas tree farm to cut a fresh tree from the field where it was grown.

Use this publication as a guide in selecting and maintaining a fresh, attractive, live Christmas tree for the holiday season.

In Europe, the open branch spacing and full natural symmetry of unsheared trees is preferred, while in North America, the denser foliage of sheared trees is more popular.

Common Christmas Tree Characteristics

Tree shape, height and foliage characteristics are important features to consider when selecting a tree. Common Christmas tree characteristics are:


The Parts of a Tree	Its Branches and Needles	Its Overall Shape: Taper is the relationship of the tree's width to its height.

Christmas tree species

There is a variety of Christmas tree species to choose from. You can find most of these on retail lots or growing in your area on a choose-n-cut farm. Christmas trees can be identified by the size, color, and arrangement of their needles. Most Christmas trees are of species in the pine family Pinaceae (pine, fir, spruce, cedar), though there is a small but growing market for various species in the cypress family Cupressaceae (cypress, juniper, sequoia).

Pinaceae

Conifers in the Pinaceae are characterised by needle-like leaves arranged spirally on the stems.

Firs Abies

Needles are arranged in rows, with one row on each side of a branch. The needles are flat and leave a small circular depressed scar on the branch when removed; needle retention on cut trees is very good. The cones are upright.

Abies alba Abies alba

Silver Fir is primarily of historical interest as the first species used for Christmas trees, celebrated in the 1550 German Christmas carol O Tannenbaum. It has needles 15-30 mm long, dark green above with two white lines below. It is still used to a small extent in Europe, but has been largely replaced by the closely related Caucasian Fir, which has similar but much denser foliage.

Abies balsamea Abies balsamea

The Balsam Fir has needles 15-25 mm long and are dark green on the top with two silver lines below. The buds are rounded, yellowish and coated with an aromatic resin. These firs are grown in Canada and the northeastern United States and are available at retail lots.

Abies fraseri Abies fraseri

Fraser Fir is similar to the Balsam Fir, and is grown in the mountains of North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. These firs are available at retail lots.

Abies nordmanniana Abies nordmanniana

Caucasian Fir has needles 20-30 mm long and are dark green above with two silver lines below, arranged densely along the shoots. It is a very important species in Europe, where it occupies the main high-value market, more expensive then Norway Spruce but with much better lasting qualities.

Abies procera Abies procera

Noble Fir has needles 10-35 mm long, bright glaucous blue-green on both sides, arranged densely along the shoots, and with very good retention. It is very slow-growing as a seedling but faster later; it has a specialist high value niche market in both the Pacific Northwest and northern Europe, where it is generally the most expensive species. The very closely related Red Fir Abies magnifica is similarly used in California.

Douglas-firs Pseudotsuga

Pseudotsuga menziesii Pseudotsuga menziesii

The Douglas-fir is not a true fir. The needles are dark blue to yellow green, 20-35 mm long, and completely encircle the branches. The buds are pointed and reddish brown. Needle retention of cut trees is fairly good when the foliage dries, better than spruces but not as good as firs. These trees are grown in the Pacific Northwest and are available at retail lots.

Spruces

Needles are attached to branches by short pegs and are pointed, four-sided and spiral around branches. The cones hang down. Needle retention of cut trees is poor when the foliage dries.

Picea abies Picea abies

This species is very important in Europe, where it is generally the cheapest and most widely available tree. The needles are 15-20 mm long, and rich green.

Picea glauca Picea glauca

This species has needles 8-13 mm long and often a good blue-green. The trees grow in Canada and the extreme northern United States. They are available on retail lots and in some choose-n-cut operations in north Georgia.

Picea omorika Picea omorika

This species is used to a small but increasing extent in Europe, where it is valued for the bicoloured needles, rich green above and frosted white below. The needles are 10-20 mm long. An extra attraction are the 5-6 cm long purple cones, often produced by trees only 1.5-2 m tall.

Picea pungens Picea pungens

This species has needles 15-30 mm long and often bright blue-green. They are however very sharp, making the species unsuited to an indoor family tree where there are young children. The trees grow in Canada and the extreme northern United States. They are available on retail lots and in some choose-n-cut operations in north Georgia.

Picea sitchensis Picea sitchensis

This species has very fast growth (up to a metre per year), and needles 15-25 mm long, green above and blue-white below; as with Blue Spruce, they are very sharp. It is harvested to a small extent in the British Isles mainly for larger size outdoor civic Christmas trees, where the sharp needles reduce the risk of vandalism.

Pines Pinus

Needles are arranged in bundles of two to five, with a bundle sheath holding the bases of the needles together within each bundle. Needle retention of cut trees is good, but the long needles and coarse branching of most pines is less popular with many users.

Pinus strobus Pinus strobus

The Eastern White Pine has blue-green needles 6-12 cm long, arranged in bundles of five. These pines hold needles well but wilt noticeably. They are grown in central and north Georgia and throughout the Lake States, and are available from retail lots and on choose-n-cut lots in north Georgia.

Pinus pinea Pinus pinea

Stone Pine is grown primarily as small potted seedlings 20-40 cm tall and just 1-2 years old, used as miniature table-top trees. At this age, they retain juvenile foliage, composed of single, glaucous blue-green needles 2-4 cm long. The bright green adult needles, 8-15 cm long and produced in pairs, are only developed after the tree is 3-5 years old. It is grown in western Europe, California, and the Pacific Northwest.

Pinus sylvestris Pinus sylvestris

The Scots Pine has glaucous blue-green needles 4-9 cm long, arranged in bundles of two, and scaly orange-red bark. It is grown throughout Europe and also in the mid west and northeast areas of the United States, and sold on retail lots.

Pinus virginiana Pinus virginiana

The Virginia Pine has yellow-green needles 3-8 cm long, arranged in bundles of two, and slightly twisted. These pines are grown throughout Georgia, are available on local retail lots and are the most common trees in Georgia choose-n-cut operations.

Pinus clausa Pinus clausa

The Sand Pine has dark green needles 5-10 cm long, arranged in bundles of two. These pines are similar to the Virginia Pine and are grown in south Georgia and Florida, and are available at choose-n-cut operations in the southeastern United States.

Cedars Cedrus

Cedrus deodara Cedrus deodara

Needles of Deodar Cedar are arranged in clusters on short branch spurs, and singly on long shoots. It is not very suitable as a Christmas tree as needle retention is very poor when the foliage dries, and the drooping lead shoot is not compatible with the tradition of having a star or fairy attached to the heavenward pointing top. The needles are 2-6 cm long, range from waxy blue to blue-green. These trees are common as landscape plants and are available in limited quantities at some choose-n-cut operations.

Cupressaceae

Conifers in the Cupressaceae are characterised by scale-like leaves arranged in opposite pairs or whorls of three on the stems (spirally in a few species); juvenile leaves on young plants are more needle-like, and can be sharp and prickly.

Cypresses Cupressus

Leyland Cypress Cupressus × leylandii

The Leyland Cypress is similar to the Redcedar, but the needles are softer and more scale-like. These trees are available at choose-n-cut operations and as live container-grown trees at nurseries.

Cupressus glabra Cupressus glabra

Similar to Redcedar and Leyland Cypress, Arizona Cypress has foliage that ranges from light green to bluish green. A rapidly growing tree, there are over 30 cultivars available. They are found at choose-n-cut operations throughout the state.

Junipers Juniperus

Juniperus virginiana Juniperus virginiana

The Eastern Redcedar has sharp pointed needles and scale-like leaves on the same tree. The color of the needles ranges from green and blue-green to yellow-green. These trees dry out rapidly after cutting and begin to lose foliage, so they must be kept well-supplied with water. They are grown in the piedmont and coastal plain of Georgia and are available at local choose-n-cut operations, but are rarely found at retail lots. The Eastern Redcedar is a traditional Christmas tree in the southern USA.

Sequoias Sequoia, Sequoiadendron

Sequoiadendron giganteum Sequoiadendron giganteum

This is being grown experimentally, with some success, in parts of the USA. It has fast growth and dense foliage with short 3-5 mm scale-like needles arranged spirally. Foliage retention is good, but has a somewhat sour smell not liked by some people.

Selecting Your Tree

Keep these points in mind when choosing a specific tree:

Check the height of the ceiling in the room where you will display your tree. Select a tree that is at least 20-30 cm shorter than the ceiling height.
Run your fingers over the branch along the needles. Needles should be pliable and adhere to the branches. They should bend, but not break or fall off.
Shake or bounce the tree to be sure that the needles are firmly attached. If the tree is fresh, few needles should fall off. Some loss of needles inside the tree is common.
Avoid trees that have a wilted look.
Make sure the handle of the tree is straight. The handle must be 15-20 cm (six to eight) inches long to allow placement in the tree stand.
Check for insects and dead needles inside the tree crown. Have dead needles shaken or blown out when you buy the tree.

Caring for the Tree in Your Home

If you don't plan to put the tree up right away, cut 2 cm (one inch) off of the base, put the tree in a bucket of water and stand it in a shady place.
When you bring the tree indoors, cut 1-2 cm (1/2 to one inch) off of the base of the trunk and place in a tree stand that holds at least five litres of water.
Do not place the tree near a fireplace, heater vents or other heat sources.
Always keep the tree well-supplied with water. Check the water level in the stand several times each day. Trees may use several litres of water a day.
Never let the water level fall below the base of the tree. If this occurs, the cut end can seal over, preventing further water uptake. The tree must then be taken down and a fresh cut made to allow water uptake.
Adding aspirin, soda water, bleach or sugar to the water in the tree stand is no more effective in keeping the tree fresh than adding plain water each day.

Fireproofing Your Tree

The best way to keep a tree fresh and fire resistant is to keep it supplied with water at all times.
A fresh tree supplied with water presents little fire hazard. As long as the tree takes up water, it will be relatively fire resistant.
Do not allow the water level in the tree stand to fall below the base of the tree.
Trees can be sprayed with antitranspirants, which are clear films that slow water loss from the needles.
Fire Marshall-approved treatments can be sprayed on trees to reduce flammability. These contain borax or other flame retardants. *Check with the salesperson when you purchase your tree, or with the fire department or County Agent for specific fire-retardant treatments.
Use only UL-approved lights and nonflammable decorations.
Never leave home or go to bed with the Christmas tree lights on.

Combating Insect Problems

Be aware of aphids and other insects that can enter the home on the Christmas tree and emerge in the warm house.
Inspect the tree before bringing it indoors. Shake and bounce the tree on the pavement to dislodge insects and other foreign objects.
If you find insects, spray the tree with an indoor-outdoor aerosol insecticide containing pyrethrins before bringing the tree inside. These insecticides are available at grocery and discount stores.
If insects appear after the tree is in the house (look for sticky drops on the carpet and presents), spray the tree with an indoor or outdoor approved aerosol insecticide containing pyrethrins. Be sure to follow label directions when using any insecticide.

Using Your Tree After Christmas

Donate the tree for use in coastal sand dune protection schemes to reduce erosion.
Grind the tree for mulch and place in flower beds or gardens.
Use the main stem to hang bird feeders from in the garden.
Use the main stem to burn in the fireplace after removing branches and needles.
Create a fish attractor by weighting the base of the tree and sinking it in a pond.

Selection and care of Christmas trees for the home

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