With Christmas having just passed and the holiday season wrapping up, many people find themselves having to clean up the mess that comes with said holidays. Presents, decorations, after-party messes, and wrapping paper, among other things are all good examples of stuff that needs to be tidied up. This time of year, there is also a plethora of people throwing out their old Christmas trees. This may leave people to wonder if there is a better type of tree to get for the holiday season, and in many people’s opinion, there is. But how do you even start with finding the right tree for you? This article is a written guide for those who find themselves asking this for Christmas in 2024.
When it comes down to finding the right tree for you, it all depends on what you are looking for in one. Color, smell, pine droppage, branch strength, and price are all good things to keep in mind. In the end, only you know what you want, so make sure to get your money’s worth with a satisfactory tree.
Overall a very popular tree choice is the balsam fir, with a strong scent that is often described as “rich and festive.” Unfortunately, these trees are also known to make messes with their high count for needle dropage. They also are the worst if you are looking to decorate your tree with particularly heavy ornaments. A good alternative to this tree could be the Douglas fir, which has a pleasant fragrance just like its cousin, the balsam, but makes significantly less of a mess.
If you’re looking for a taller Christmas tree, I would suggest the purchase of a scotch pine. The pros of this tree don’t end with height alone though, this particular tree is known to have fantastic needle retention as well as a pleasant and long-lasting woodsy scent. Unfortunately, they are also known to often have discoloration or to grow with twisted trunks.
When it comes to pine length, if you want a tree with shorter pine needles, I would suggest trees such as the hemlock tree, which is also the PA state tree, or the Japanese white pine. The only main con I would keep in mind when you’re decorating your Japanese white pine is that it is known to be more flammable than most other Christmas trees. Make sure to be careful with the type of lights you are wrapping around it. An alternative to our second option however would be the Norway spruce, which is a good pine with short needles but also tends to suffer from discoloration and high needle droppage.
If you want a tree with longer pine needles, I would strongly suggest the eastern white pine. It is also one of the most important trees in the Northeast, often being used when building, so if you’re into woodwork and don’t know what to do with your tree after Christmas, instead of throwing it out you could reuse it, or make something with it’s wood.
What if you have allergies and don’t want a tree that will make them worse? Pine is the worst for allergies, so instead of buying a pine tree this Christmas, I would suggest purchasing a fir, spruce, or cypress tree instead.
If you find yourself often afraid of bugs or small insects, then I would suggest any tree that is not the Norwegian Pine. Norweigan Pines are often covered in bugs all of the time and need to be thoroughly shaken before bringing them into the house. They also may drop needles whilst being shaken and are the tree I would recommend not even considering for the holiday season.
In the end, it is up to you when it comes to what tree your heart decides on in the end, but if you find yourself confused or unknowing next holiday season, keep in mind which trees are better for what you’re looking for this Christmas.
