16 Different Types of Christmas Trees (With Pictures)

Most of us see Christmas trees every year and never give them much thought until we’re looking for something in particular. Only after seeing a tree we like and trying to find a similar tree somewhere else do we realize there are many kinds of Christmas trees. If you are getting into the holiday spirit and are looking for a tree for your home, keep reading while we list several varieties you can choose from. We’ve provided a short description and a picture for each to help you find the perfect one.

The 16 Different Types of Christmas Tree

1. Balsam Fir Tree

The Balsam Fir Tree is native to the United States and is one of the most common trees due to its usefulness as a screen or windbreak. It also happens to make a great Christmas tree with its dark green color and spicy fragrance. The branches also make great wreaths.

2. Fraser Fir Tree

The Fraser Fir Tree is a smaller tree that you can only find in the southern Appalachian Mountains. It has a deep green color and pleasant fragrance. Its smaller size makes it perfect for apartments and smaller homes.

3. Canaan Fir Tree

The Canaan Fir Tree can also be called the West Virginia Balsam Fir, and it is a rare tree that you can find only in isolated pockets high in the mountains. Some experts speculate the ice age is responsible for the odd distribution of these trees.

4. Douglas Fir Tree

The Douglas Fir Tree is a leading source of lumber in the United States that many woodworkers use for furniture and other applications, but it also makes a great Christmas tree. It’s a Hardy and sturdy tree that grows in most environments and lives a long time.

5. Grand Fir Tree

As you may have guessed by the name, the Grand Fir Tree is a large variety that can grow to 250 feet tall, so it’s better to use as an outdoor decoration. It has dense branches and long needles.

6. Noble Fir Tree

The Noble Fir Tree is native to the western United States and can get even larger than the Grand Fir, making it the largest native tree in North America. It has a long life span and is often the first to grow after a fire or other disturbance.

Related Read: Noble Fir vs. Fraser Fir – What’s the Difference?

7. Concolor Fir

The Concolor Fir is a Midwestern evergreen that is attractive and adaptable. It makes a fantastic Christmas tree due to its densely packed branches and color, but it can grow to more than 130 feet tall and live more than 300 years in the wild.

8. White Pine Tree

The Eastern White Pine is a hardy and valuable tree that prefers moist but well-drained soil. It’s smaller than many other varieties, growing to only about 80 feet tall, but it grows more than 20 inches per year and is an excellent choice for tree farms.

9. Scots Pine Tree

The Scots Pine, which many people mistakenly call the Scotch Pine, is the national tree of Scotland. It’s notable for its long needles and long, straight trunk that makes a great Christmas tree.

10. Virginia Pine Tree

The Virginia Pine Tree is a medium-sized tree that grows well in poor soil. You usually find them from Long Island through the Appalachian Mountains into Tennessee and Alabama. It’s a smaller tree that grows between 18 and 60 feet tall but makes an attractive Christmas tree.

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11. Blue Spruce Tree

The Blue Spruce is an extremely popular Christmas tree due to its blue-tinted needles and relatively robust growing range. It usually grows to only about 50 feet tall and has densely packed green branches.

12. Norway Spruce Tree

You can find the Norway Spruce tree throughout Europe, which is notable for its branches that hang down and its dark green color. It’s a popular Christmas tree in many countries, including the United States.

13. White Spruce Tree

The White Spruce has one of the widest ranges in North America, growing all through Canada and the United States. Since it is so easy to find, it’s also one of the more popular Christmas trees. It’s a hardy tree that grows in most soils and keeps its needles for quite a while after you cut it down.

Related Read: 12 Most Environmentally Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Christmas Tree

14. Arizona Cypress Tree

The Arizona Cypress is native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. It usually grows naturally in large groups and can reach 80 feet tall. Needles are generally gray or green.

15. Leyland Cypress Tree

The Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing variety for tree farms. It can grow more than 3 feet each year and has a deep green color that is perfect for decorating. People also use it to create privacy barriers between properties.

16. Red Cedar Tree

The Eastern Red Cedar is a slow-growing tree with a bushy appearance and strong branches. It usually grows to about 60 feet and is a popular Christmas tree, especially in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Summary

As you can see, there are several species of Christmas tree that you can use in your home. Often, choosing a variety that isn’t local can give you the change you are looking for, so if you live in the Eastern United States, selecting a Noble Fir or the Scots Pine will provide you with something you’re not used to seeing. We like the Blue Spruce because it’s easy to find, has a nice color, and stands out next to the others.

We hope you enjoyed reading this guide and found a few trees you like. If we have helped improve your holiday season, please share this guide to the different types of Christmas trees on Facebook and Twitter.

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Featured Image Credit: Євгенія Височина, Unsplash