Christmas Trees: Here's Why They're Perfect For The Holiday

Christmas trees – conifers commonly known as "evergreens" because they retain their leaves year-round – are the focal point of the holiday, and that's for good reason. Aside from their inherent beauty (decorated or otherwise) conifers boast a vibrant green to blue-green color and a pleasing pine scent.

It's not that evergreens don't shed their leaves like deciduous trees do each fall; it's just that they shed them and then immedately replace them so that they are never completely bare. Conifers leaves are able to live through the winter season because the trees evolved to require fewer nutrients when temperatures plummet. All of this explains why conifers are called "evergreen" in the first place – and why they are associated with Christmas and the Christian theme of everlasting life through faith.

Most coniferous trees – those that produce their seeds in cone form – are evergreen, and their needle-like leaves hold several advantages over broad leaves of common deciduous trees. Needles are smaller and therefore more watertight and windproof, and they are less tasty to insects. Smaller needle-like leaves also keep snow from accumulating and creating heft, which can damage branches. In fact, it's believed evergreens evolved their cascading tear-drop shape to combat snow accumlation.

Although there are many different varieties of evergreen trees, here are the five most common types used for Christmas celebrations:

Scotch Pine: These bright green-colored trees (Pinus sylvestris) are among the most common Christmas trees in the U.S. Scotch pines have a classic conical shape and grow needles in bundles of two that are between one and three inches in length. Treee growers marketed them for Christmas because they adapt to a wide range of climates and soils. 

Douglas Fir: This species of tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii) can grow from 70 to 250 feet tall and is recognized by its soft, dark-green or blue-green needles that are approximately one-inch-long and radiate in all directions. Douglas Firs can be found in California, Oregon, Washington and parts of Canada, where they prefer mild, humid climates and dry summers. Douglas firs also sprout small, oval-shaped cones that hang downward from branches. 

Colorado Blue Spruce: Also known as blue spruce, these trees (Picea pungens Engelm) have good symmetrical form and an attractive blue foliage. These can grow to 115 feet tall and live for up to 800 years. Blue spruce trees grow best in deep, rich, gravely soils, often along stream banks and areas where there is significant moisture. Their needles are roughly 1.5 inches long and are sharply pointed on the end. 

Fraser Fir: This tree species (Abies fraseri) has strong branches that turn slightly upward, providing them with excellent needle-retention. Fraser firs are dark blue-green in color and generally grow to about 80 feet tall. They are also known for having short, stubby needles. Fraser firs and balsam firs are quite similar, but grow in vastly different geographic ranges. Because of their similarities, scientists suggest the two were once a single species. 

Eastern Red Cedar: These trees (Juniperus virginiana) are characterized by compact branches that form a pyramidical crown. The needles are often arranged in opposing pairs and are a dark, shiny green color. The eastern red cedar is named for its reddish-brown bark and its proliferation across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and most of the eastern half of the U.S., where it tolerates drought, wind, and cold climates. 

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