Michigan farms and tree lots offer an array of great Christmas tree choices.
Fraser fir.
Michigan ranks third
in the country in the number of Christmas trees harvested each year. Our
climate and soils allow Michigan growers to produce a wider variety of trees
than almost any other state. So whether you look for a pre-cut tree at a local
tree lot or bundle up the family for the choose-and-cut experience, you will
find a wide variety of tree types that offer something for everyone.
The
"tried and true' Christmas trees
These Christmas tree
species can be found at nearly every choose-and-cut farm or tree lot.
Fraser fir continues
to increase in popularity for good reason. Fraser fir has blue-green needles
with silvery undersides. The branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments.
The trees have a pleasant scent and needle retention is excellent.
Scots pine is the tree species that has long defined
the Michigan Christmas tree and is still a favorite for traditionalists. Scots
pines are dense trees with dark-green needles. Stiff branches hold up well to
ornaments and needle retention is excellent. Scots pine is also an economical
choice.
Scots pine.
Douglas fir is a
dense tree with soft, light green needles. You'll need to stick with
lighter-weight ornaments since the branches are not as stiff as some other
species. Another good choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Douglas fir.
Blue spruce remains a popular Christmas tree because of its bright blue color.
Branches are stiff and hold ornaments well. Blue spruce needles are quite
sharp, so be sure to wear gloves and long-sleeves when handling. While the
needles may make the tree hard to handle, some people choose blue spruce to
keep pets away from the tree.
Blue spruce.
Black hills spruce have
needles that are shorter and softer than Colorado blue spruce. Black hills
spruce have excellent color and have a very traditional Christmas tree
appearance. Branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments.
Black hills spruce.
Up
and coming varieties of Christmas trees
In addition to the
traditional species mentioned above, Michigan growers continue to add species
to their mix.
Concolor fir have long needles that may be as blue
as a blue spruce. The big draw for this species, however, is the strong,
citrus-like scent of its needles.
Concolor fir.
White pine is one of two Michigan native conifers commonly used for Christmas
trees, along with balsam fir. This is a dense tree with soft, green needles.
This tree will require light-weight ornaments. For consumers that have a high
ceiling and want a larger tree, white pine can be an economical choice.
White pine.
Korean fir is native to Asia, as noted by the name,
but grows well in our climate and soil. It has dark green needles with striking
silvery undersides. The form and unique texture add to this species' appeal.
Korean fir.
Balsam fir has long been a preferred species for many consumers because of its strong Christmas tree scent. It has dark green needles and excellent form.
Balsam fir.
Canaan fir does
combine many of the characteristics of balsam fir with better needle retention
of Fraser fir. It is sometimes described as a hybrid between balsam fir and
Fraser fir, but is actually a specific seed source from balsam fir from the
Canaan Valley of West Virginia. For more pictures and information on this
species, see MSU's Canaan fir Youtube video.
Canaan fir.