Festive Choice: Which tree makes a good Christmas tree?
Christmas tree enthusiasts know that not all conifers are equally well-suited as Christmas trees. Norway spruces, for example, start shedding their needles on the very first day in the living room, and Austrian pines exude so much resin that gifts placed underneath them stick there until at least New Year's. (However, Norway spruces and Austrian pines also have their own special advantages.) But what type of Christmas tree is best – and what should you look for when choosing one?
There are no entirely "bad trees" – every tree has its charm
First things first: every conifer sold as a Christmas tree in December "works" as a Christmas tree – whether it's a Nordmann fir, blue spruce, pine, or noble fir. Tree species that are completely unsuitable for use as Christmas trees (such as the larch, which loses all its needles in winter) are not sold as Christmas trees at all. Nevertheless, among potential Christmas trees, there are stars and extras: some Christmas tree species combine a wealth of characteristics that make a good Christmas tree, while others have only a single good characteristic (and accordingly require a lot of willingness to compromise).
Common Christmas tree varieties
Nordmann fir – expensive, but good
The Nordmann fir is by far the most popular Christmas tree variety in Germany – three-quarters of all tree buyers (75%) regularly choose a Nordmann fir (Source: statista.de). While bringing a Nordmann fir into your home as a Christmas tree is not a cheap pleasure, its relatively high price is justified: it takes almost 15 years for a Nordmann fir to reach "man-height." Then it presents itself with deep green, soft needles and sturdy branches that can bear a lot of decorations. Cut Nordmann firs last exceptionally long.
Nordmann fir – expensive, but Blue spruce – fragrant and "prickly"
The blue spruce, with a share of about 15 percent, is the second most popular of all Christmas tree varieties. Its needles have a picturesque bluish shimmer (hence the name) and are very fragrant, but the needles are also hard and sharp. Decorating a blue spruce is therefore not a pleasure. The blue spruce is cheaper than the Nordmann fir, and it does not last quite as long.
Noble fir – lasts the longest
The noble fir, also known as "Edeltanne," is the third most popular tree species; however, together with the exotic varieties, it only accounts for 10 percent. The reason for this is probably its high price: noble firs are usually even more expensive than Nordmann firs. However, they also last even longer. Characteristic of noble firs is the silvery sheen on the underside of their needles and their intense, orange-like fragrance.
Exotic Christmas tree species
Spruce – cheap, but "crispy" after a short time
The spruce (or Norway spruce), as already mentioned, has a relatively short shelf life as a cut tree – extensive needle loss and rapid browning are part of its Christmas program. In addition, Norway spruces rarely grow perfectly straight. However, the Norway spruce is one of the cheapest Christmas tree species because it grows twice as fast as the Nordmann fir.
Pine – visually very striking
The pine is an exotic among exotics – it very rarely finds its way into a living room in Germany. This may be due to its very distinctive, hardly pyramidal growth and its almost 15 cm long, firm needles. Anyone who chooses a pine as a Christmas tree can enjoy it for a long time, because the pine is extremely undemanding and long-lasting.
Douglas fir – delicate and flexible
The Douglas fir is a relatively "delicate" tree: it has very flexible branches and thin, soft needles. It is overwhelmed by heavy wooden ornaments; the Douglas fir can only bear light Christmas baubles or straw decorations. It is similarly inexpensive to the spruce and exudes a pleasant citrus scent.
Austrian pine – durable and resinous
The Austrian pine, also called "Schwarzföhre," is actually native to Southern Europe; however, it is now also cultivated in German forest areas (primarily on the sandy soils of Brandenburg). The Austrian pine has strong branches and is very long-lasting, but, as already mentioned, it secretes a lot of resin.
Keinachtsbaum®: even more choice
If, on the other hand, you make a Christmas tree yourself from cut greenery or (even easier) purchase a Keinachtsbaum® that can be redecorated with fresh greenery again and again, you have an even wider selection of tree species. You are then not even limited to the genus Abies (firs) or even to conifers, but can, for example, also consider cypresses, bay trees, or boxwoods. Or how about branches of European holly? This evergreen plant species from the genus Ilex was a popular winter plant decoration centuries before the establishment of the Christmas tree (cf. History of the Christmas Tree). Holly literally "captivates" with its firm leaves, which are covered on both sides with alternately upward and downward sloping spines. This makes decorating holly branches somewhat strenuous; however, the end result looks great.
Conclusion:
There is no general answer to the question of which of the many fir tree species is best suited as a Christmas tree. Depending on which criteria the inclined buyer considers particularly important, a fir, a spruce species, or a pine can be the ideal Christmas tree. For example, those who are primarily concerned with long durability are best advised to choose a Nordmann or noble fir. Those who enjoy an intense forest scent might choose a blue spruce, and those who primarily do not want to spend a lot of money will take a Norway spruce or a Douglas fir. If sustainability and the possibility of creative development, on the other hand, play the most important role (with an excellent long-term price-performance ratio), there is no way around the Keinachtsbaum®.