Pine, Fir, or Spruce? Discover the Different Types of Christmas Trees

When choosing the perfect Christmas tree, there are several types to consider, each offering its own charm and festive appeal. Whether you prefer the natural beauty of a real Christmas tree or the convenience of an artificial one, understanding the different types can help you find the ideal centrepiece for your holiday celebrations.

From traditional firs to creative alternatives, there’s a Christmas tree type to suit every style and space.

So if you: 

• Want to choose the best Christmas tree for your family
• Want to learn more about different Christmas tree types
• Can’t decide between cut or pot-grown Christmas tree

Then, keep reading!

What are the top 3 types of Christmas trees?

Firs, spruces, and pines are the most common types of real Christmas trees. Choosing the perfect Christmas tree is an important part of holiday preparations. Each type of tree offers its own unique advantages, and with proper care, your Christmas tree will remain the centrepiece of your festive decor for the entire season.

By understanding the distinct characteristics of each tree type and its care needs, you can ensure your Christmas tree remains a vibrant and cherished part of your holiday celebration.

Fir tree types

Fir trees are much sought after as they have that classic shape of a Christmas tree and their needles are soft to the touch. Several types of Fir trees can be found in the UK, and all of them will fill your home with a pleasant citrusy smell.

Let’s have a look at some of the characteristics of different Fir trees, which can help you when making a decision about what to get.

Nordman Fir

The Nordman Fir is one of the favourites. It has glossy, but soft dark green needles. Like the Fraser and Noble Firs, it can hold those needles for weeks.

However for that to happen, you need to keep it cool and watered. Unlike the Balsam or Grand Fir, it has a very faint scent. Some people might not like it, but if you’re sensitive to strong fragrances it’s perfect for you.

Balsam Fir

The Balsam Fir….It has a deep, traditional pine scent that’s stronger than most varieties. Its dark green, rounded needles stay on well too.

Compared to the Nordman and Noble Firs, its branches are slightly more flexible, but they still hold ornaments nicely. It’s the most aromatic of all firs. If you love that classic Christmas smell, then the Balsam fir is for you.

Fraser Fir

This tree combines the look of the Nordman with the fragrance of the Balsam. Its short, dark green needles have silver undersides. This gives the tree a frosted effect. It’s one of the best all-rounders too. It has strong branches, a great scent and lasts long. It also adapts better to indoor heat compared to the Grand or Douglas Firs.

Canaan Fir

It has soft, dark green needles and a mild scent. It’s not as strong as Balsam, but it is more noticeable than Nordman. It handles slightly warmer rooms better than most firs. Mind you, dry air still shortens its life. Still, it comes with strong branches, suitable for heavy ornaments.

Douglas Fir

The Douglas Fir stands out with dense, blue to green needles and a sweet, citrusy fragrance. It’s fuller than the Noble or Fraser, with branches that point upward, giving it a bushier shape. Its scent is similar in strength to the Balsam but lighter and sweeter. It needs steady watering to keep its soft needles from drying out too quickly.

Grand Fir

Glossy, yellow-green needles and one of the strongest natural fragrances. The Grand Fir looks similar to the Balsam but with a lighter, more open shape. While its branches can hold decorations, they’re not as firm as the Noble’s. It lives best in cool, moist rooms and struggles more than other varieties in dry air.

Noble Fir

The Noble Fir is the most durable of the group. It has thick, blue-green needles and firm branches. These can hold heavy ornaments. It lasts longer than the Douglas and Grand Firs, too. It keeps its colour for up to six weeks. The scent is less intense than Balsam but stronger than Nordman.

Concolour Fir

Also known as “White Fir”, it differs from most others. It has a citrus-like fragrance and silvery-green needles. It tolerates dry indoor air better than any other fir. Its branches are strong, similar to Noble Fir, and it stays fresh for up to seven weeks.

Korean Fir

The Korean Fir has short, silvery-green needles that resemble Fraser Fir but are slightly thicker and stiffer. It shares the same good needle retention and strong fragrance but stands out for its compact, tidy shape.

It prefers cool, moderately dry conditions—similar to Concolour—and lasts about five weeks indoors without much maintenance.

Spruce trees

The other type of Christmas tree is the so-called Spruce tree. Unlike Fir trees, their branches are not so dense, and their needles are short but sharp-edged. These Christmas tree types favour cooler climates, and that’s why they’re the most preferred by people who want an outdoor Christmas tree.

Here is a list of a few common Christmas tree varieties and their features:

Norway Spruce

Shiny, dark green needles and a rich, classic scent. Sadly, though, the Norway Spruce tends to lose its needles faster than other varieties. It looks best when freshly cut and kept cool with plenty of water. Warm rooms are its enemy.

Blue Spruce

This tree has beautiful, silvery-blue needles. Its branches are sturdy and hold heavy ornaments with ease. The tree releases a pleasant, pine-like smell and keeps its needles fairly well when you water regularly.

White Spruce

Compact, tidy shape with bluish-green needles. Its branches are strong and support ornaments well. It holds its needles better than the Norway Spruce, especially when cool and hydrated. The tree gives off a mild, fresh scent and remains attractive for several weeks.

Pine trees

Although not as popular as fir and spruce trees, pine trees also have some prominent members that are worth mentioning. Let’s look at some of them and their characteristics.

Scotch pine

The Scotch Pine is one of the most reliable Christmas trees for needle retention. Its soft, dark green needles stay on the branches for weeks indoors. This is as low-maintenance as it gets.

The sturdy branches will hold both light and heavier decorations, too. Its gentle pine scent adds a fresh, festive feel to any home without becoming overpowering.

Lodgepole pine

The Lodgepole Pine has long, rich green needles that hold well throughout the season. Its branches are strong but slightly more flexible than those of the Scotch Pine, so it’s better suited to lighter ornaments.

The tree gives off a mild pine fragrance, ideal for anyone who prefers a softer scent or is sensitive to strong aromas.

Artificial Christmas trees

Pre-lit artificial Christmas trees

Pre-lit artificial trees are a convenient and time-saving option for busy households. These trees come with built-in LED lights, eliminating the need to string lights manually.

PVC artificial Christmas trees

PVC artificial trees are one of the most affordable options on the market. These trees are made from flat plastic strips and mimic the look of real tree needles.

What type of Christmas tree is best?

The Fraser Fir is often considered the best type of real Christmas tree due to its combination of strengths. It has excellent needle retention, strong branches that can hold heavy ornaments, and a pleasant, traditional Christmas scent.

Its durability and natural beauty, along with its ability to stay fresh throughout the season, make it a top choice for many households.

Should you get a cut, pot-grown or potted Christmas tree?

So, now that you know the features of different Christmas tree varieties, it’s time to choose between cut, potted and pot-grown ones as there is a big difference

Cut Christmas trees

Cut Christmas trees are a perfect choice if you merely want an ornamental tree for the duration of the holiday season. These trees are field-grown and cut off above the ground level. So, once the holiday season is over, you’ll need to think about how to recycle it

Care tips:

• To prevent mould and fungus from possibly growing in between the damp branches, make sure to take the tree out of its netting as soon as you get it home.
• Then, cut the bottom 3cm off the trunk and clamp it into a stand filled with fresh water. Check for water absorption. If the tree is healthy, the water will disappear quickly, and this is a good sign.
• Position it away from heat sources, meaning in the coolest part of the room to prevent needle loss.
• Water your Christmas tree daily. Depending on your real tree’s size, it can drink up to 1-2 litres of water a day.

Pot-grown Christmas trees

If you wonder which Christmas tree is most sustainable, without a doubt, we’ll tell you that it’s the pot-grown one. Why? Because it can be enjoyed by you and your family for several years! You can re-pot it into a larger container each year and bring it indoors the following Christmas.

Care tips:

• Bring your pot-grown Christmas tree indoors as late as possible and keep it there no more than two weeks.
• Put a saucer under the pot or place the tree inside another ornamental flower pot without drainage holes.
• Choose a spot with natural but indirect sunlight, away from heat sources.
• Water it regularly, so the tree doesn’t dry out, but at the same time, don’t leave it sitting in water since this can lead to root rot. Before watering, use your finger to check if the soil is dry.

Potted Christmas trees

The last Christmas tree type you can opt for is the potted one. Our recommendation is to avoid these trees since they’re dug up and fitted into a pot. In the process, most of their roots are damaged. Potted trees are the hardest to look after and impossible to re-pot or plant in the garden.

Get your Christmas tree delivered to your door

Not sure what type of Christmas tree to get this year? Fantastic Services has you covered. Take advantage of our Christmas tree delivery service and pick from a locally pot-grown Christmas tree that can last for many years or a fresh-cut Nordmann fir, famous for its thick, non-drop needles.

When the holidays come to an end, you can trust us to take care of your Christmas tree. We’ll collect it and dispose of it sustainably or help with repotting/replanting your pot-grown Norway Spruce.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you!