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| Photo Credit: David L. Morgan |
| Some retailers are recommending firs this year, as they hold their needles well and retain their aroma. |
When it comes to decorating the home for Christmas, most people focus on the tree. And for those of us who put up a live one every year, picking what kind to bring home is part of the fun.
Almost any tree and shrub can be decorated with yuletide regalia, so your choice is almost endless. In recent years, containerized rosemary plants have been big sellers in garden centers. Strung with lights and decorations, they can look rather festive, and they take up little space. You may prefer a larger tree, and there are obviously plenty to choose from. While some old standards – firs, spruces and Scotch pines – are in good supply, you might consider a cut-your-own at a nearby Christmas tree farm or other locally grown species. In the Far West, merchants sell Western red cedars. In the Southwest, it’s common to see Afghan pines. And in the South, Virginia pines tend to be the tree of choice. But when you come right down to it, which tree you pick to help fill your home with holiday cheer is entirely up to you. Here’s a look at many of the Christmas tree species you’ll find out there, so you can help decide which to bring home this year. Traditional trees:
The firs. As a group, firs might be the best of all Christmas trees – and often the most expensive. They don’t shed needles when they dry out in the house, and they have that dark green foliage color and great scent that most of us associate with the season. Among the firs you may find in the garden center are Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), white fir (A. concolor) and Fraser fir (A. fraseri). Douglas firs have a lovely blue-green color; balsam firs are dark green, shiny and soft; white firs come in different colors – from sky blue to dark green, depending on the cultivar; and Fraser firs are medium to dark green and shiny.
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