There are many types of Christmas trees and finding the perfect one for your home could be tricky. Is it prone to drying out? Does it look good with ornaments? Are the branches sturdy? To help you decide, we’ve made a list of the most popular Christmas trees in nature along with their Balsam Hill counterparts and what makes each of them special.
What Type of Tree Is a Christmas Tree?
The most common types of real Christmas trees are firs, spruces, and pines. These are coniferous trees that grow and thrive in different locations. Know more about their different characteristics below.
Fir
Fir trees are abundant in the mountains of Central and North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They have individual flat needles that grow in a spiral on each branch tip. Fir needles are flat and softer compared to spruce needles, which are sharp and easy to roll between fingers. The most popular type of Christmas tree species in this family includes the balsam fir, fraser fir, and noble fir.
Spruce
Spruce trees grow in mountainous regions of Western and Northern America. They’re distinguishable by their pyramidal shape, four-sided needles, and downward-hanging cones that visually contrast their upturned branches. The most well-known spruce species include the blue spruce, Norway spruce, and white spruce.
Pine
Compared to spruce and fir trees, pine needles grow in clusters. This makes them look denser than they are despite having fewer branches than other evergreens. Pine trees are also more sparse, allowing you to decorate with larger ornaments for Christmas. The Scotch pine and Eastern white pine are the most common pine species used as Christmas trees.
What Are the Different Types of Christmas Trees?
Here are some of the most popular species often used as Christmas trees.
1. Scotch Pine
The Scotch Pine or “Scots Pine” is a longstanding popular species of Christmas tree that originated from the Scottish Highlands and eventually spread across the Midwest. Known for its excellent needle retention, the Pinus sylvestris is often considered the most beautiful pine tree with its dark green foliage and widely spaced branches. Balsam Hill’s Scotch Pine is crafted primarily from pine needles with Classic Needles for fullness.
2. Sugar Pine
Widely regarded as the “King of Pines”, the Pinus lambertiana is one of the tallest pine tree species in the world. It’s native to the Sierra Nevada mountain range of the Pacific Coast and features tufted branches composed of medium to long forest-green pine needles. Our Frosted Sugar Pine features a snow-kissed look and flexible branches perfect for hanging Christmas ornaments.
3. White Spruce
Known in New England as “White Spruce” and “Canadian Spruce” across Canada, the Picea glauca features bluish-green needles and a classic conical silhouette. Its dense foliage and symmetrical shape make the white spruce a popular Christmas tree, however it must be watered regularly to prevent needle loss. Our Vermont White Spruce® is designed with long, lush needles in a medium green hue with dark brown stems for depth and realism.
4. Norway Spruce
The Norway spruce is a beloved European species known for its attractive shape and scent. While beautiful with its full and dense branches, the Picea abies is quick to shed its needles. If you like the look of this particular tree but don’t want to worry about falling needles, the BH Norway Spruce® is a great option. Our version features a layered branch structure and rich green foliage with silvery undersides.
5. Blue Spruce
The blue spruce, also known as “Colorado blue spruce,” is native to the Rocky Mountains of North America and the official state tree of Colorado. A longtime Christmas tree favorite of many, the Picea pungens is popular for its shape, fragrance, and strong branches. Our BH Blue Spruce perfectly mimics this stately tree – from the upswept branches down to the dense, tapered needle tips and blue-green foliage.
6. Balsam Fir
Native to the Northeast and the Appalachian mountain range, the Abies balsamea is a classic favorite known for its teardrop shape and a spicy scent that’s considered to be the most fragrant of all Christmas tree varieties. Our namesake tree, the BH Balsam Fir® is designed after farm-grown firs in Maine – from the conical silhouette down to the semi-flat needle tips in a rich, dark green hue.
7. Douglas Fir
Oregon’s official state tree is characterized by its full pyramid shape, dark green foliage, and fragrant needles. Native to western North America, the Pseudotsuga menziesii has been used as a Christmas tree since the 1920s and continues to be a household favorite to this day. Our Durango Douglas Fir® is a young version of this majestic tree before it grows to the towering heights of a full-grown fir.
8. Noble Fir
Known for its signature blue-green color, the Abies procera is native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. The noble fir, also called white fir or red fir, is a popular choice due to its dense foliage, sturdy branches, and long needle retention. One of Balsam Hill’s best-selling Christmas trees, the BH Noble Fir® captures the shape, texture, and hue of its natural counterpart.
9. Fraser Fir
Native to the forests of North Carolina and surrounding Appalachian states, the Abies fraseri is widely regarded as the best Christmas tree species in nature. Fraser firs are known to last the longest and hold their shape well, no matter how far they travel. Our BH Fraser Fir® features dark green needles with silver undersides that are molded from 40 different tip variations – the most on any of our trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to common questions about Christmas trees.
Which Tree Is Best for Christmas?
This depends on what you’re looking for in a Christmas tree. If you want it to last, the fraser fir is known to be the longest-lasting among all the Christmas tree species. If fragrance is an important factor, the balsam fir is famous for its scent. If you want the beauty and realism of a Christmas tree but don’t want to worry about watering it, dealing with sap, and cleaning up dried needles, investing in a high-quality artificial Christmas tree is a good option.
What Type of Artificial Christmas Tree Is Best?
Similar to real Christmas tree species, there are also different types of artificial Christmas trees. Whether you’re looking for a fir, spruce, or pine, there’s a Balsam Hill tree that can suit your style and space. Consider the following factors when choosing which artificial Christmas tree to buy:
Convenience – At Balsam Hill, we believe the Christmas should be as stress-free as possible. Our Flip Trees ® eliminate the need for heavy lifting while our Pre-Fluffed ® trees cut down the time you need to fluff and shape your tree.
Technology – Balsam Hill trees feature innovative technologies for effortless Christmas decorating. Our Easy Plug ® setup makes lighting your tree as easy as plugging it into a wall socket. Our App-Controlled Christmas trees , on the other hand, let you create a dazzling light show by choosing from pre-set options or customizing the effects in just a few taps from your Twinkly app.
Realism – We took inspiration from nature in designing our most realistic artificial Christmas trees . Made with our exclusive award-winning technology, our signature trees mimic the color, shape, and texture of actual tree cuttings.
What Is the Most Popular Type of Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Tree?
Many of Balsam Hill’s trees are designed after real Christmas tree species. Some of the most popular include the BH Fraser Fir, BH Balsam Fir, and Vermont White Spruce. These trees are available in a range of sizes, shapes, and styles to suit your home and decorating theme. You can also find them as matching wreaths, garlands, swags, hanging baskets, and other Christmas greenery.
What Type of Christmas Tree Is Most Popular?
The Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree, known for its fragrance, sturdy branches, and needle retention. The Douglas fir and Balsam fir are also popular choices. Artificial trees mimicking the Fraser fir are best-sellers due to their realistic appearance and convenience.
What Is the Classic Christmas Tree Called?
The traditional Christmas tree, often called a “fir tree” or “Christmas fir,” is typically a Norway spruce or Douglas fir. These evergreen trees are iconic symbols of Christmas, known for their conical shape and needle retention throughout the holiday season.
We hope this list of the most popular Christmas trees helped narrow down your choices. Check out more of our realistic trees on our website.
Learn More About Artificial Christmas Trees
Read these next for more in-depth guides and helpful tips.