Choosing a Christmas tree

Tips for picking the perfect fir, spruce, or pine for your home this holiday season

"Picking a tree really comes down to personal preference," says Joe Freeman, owner of Mistletoe Meadows, in Laurel Spring, North Carolina; champion of the 2007 National Christmas Tree Competition; and provider of this year's official White House tree. Popular species are shipped across the country, so you'll probably be able to find your favorite type no matter where you live. But if you're buying a tree that's not native to your region, pay extra attention to issues like needle freshness, since the tree has been in transit.

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Fraser Fir
Often found on the East coast, it features dark green needles that are silvery underneath, strong branches, and a conical shape.

Balsam Fir
Grown in the northern United States and Canada, this fragrant species is very similar to the Fraser fir.

Douglas Fir
Native to the Pacific Northwest, you can identify this cone-shaped tree by its drooping branches and downward-facing cones.

Scotch Pine
Imported from Europe and Asia and grown in the eastern United States and Canada, this type flaunts tightly bunched, stiff branches and long needles that won't fall off easily.

Virginia Pine
Often found in the South, this tree sports medium-length dark green needles.

White Spruce
Home to the northeastern United States and Canada, its flat blue-green needles help it stand out from the crowd and its spread branches can hold a lot of ornaments. Try not to crush its prickly needles, though, or you'll find out how it earned the nickname "skunk spruce."

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How to Choose

Before you size up a tree, size up the space it will occupy. "Ask, 'What's the height limit with a tree stand and an angel or star on top? What's the maximum width to pass through the hall?'" says David Murbach, manager of the gardens division at New York City's Rockefeller Center, where he has helped select the tree for 21 years. (Rule of thumb: Eight-foot ceilings fit a six- or seven-foot tree.) Next, consider species. Blue spruces have a pretty silvery hue but prickly needles. Among firs, the Douglas is traditional, but the Fraser and the noble, which hold their needles longer, are two of the most popular, says Gary Chastagner, a professor of plant pathology at Washington State University, in Puyallup. Avoid trees that have been lying in piles or in the sun; they can be dry and brittle, says Chastagner, who suggests giving them a gentle shake to be sure they aren't dropping green needles. As Murbach points out, only artificial trees guarantee a pristine floor: "Just be prepared to miss that scent."

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