Life is Good - Christmas Trees

 

 

Oh Christmas tree! Oh Christmas Tree! Which one is the best one?

Well many people will have to make a decision this year about which type of tree to choose. Growing up as a kid, it was a big deal for me and my family. But here in Texas, the warm weather makes it a little more challenging. So let’s review the different types of trees there are from around the nation.

SCOTCH PINE

This one was my favorite in Northern climates. Did you know that Scotch Pine was originally imported from Europe and then planted here in the United States? The reason why Scotch Pine worked so well for me many years ago is because the pine needles are stiff, about 1 1/2 to 3 inches long and they held glass ornaments up very well. Scotch Pines look stunning in old Victorian homes with tall ceilings and they smell great too!

Norway Spruce

This pine tree was also imported from Europe. There are many different varieties planted in the United States and Canada. This is a tall tree, growing up to about 125 feet. The dark green needles are short, growing about .5 to .8 of an inch which makes it a bit challenging to hang heavy ornaments but it is still very beautiful.

BALSAM FIR

The Balsam Fir grows best in Eastern Canada. Needles are flat and short, about .8 to 1.5 inches long. The aroma is delicious!!!

WHITE PINE

For big homes, this one is another great choice because needles are about 3 – 5 inches long and it holds up garland, tinsel and ornaments very well. This magnificent tree grows up to 75 to 100 feet tall in the Northeast. The tree is usually very full and looks brilliant when lit up with lights.

Douglas Fir

Although I’ve not had the privilege of having owned a Douglas Fir tree, I hear it’s something to consider. It grows rapidly up to 250 feet in the Pacific Coast and its needles grow to about 1.5 inches. What I heard is nice to know is that its trunk grow long and tall.

Red Pine

This is a tree that adapts well to colder climates in Canada and in Northeastern parts of the United States. The needles are very long growing 4 – 6 inches in length. This pine tree is native American and is often referred to as Norway Pine.

Black Spruce

Grown in Canada, this pine tree also has dark needles measuring about .5 inches but it contains cones up to 1 inch long. On a live Black Spruce, you can often see the large cones hanging like natural ornaments off its branches for many, many years. This tree can grow to be only 30 to 40 feet tall.

Eastern Red Cedar      

Grown in Canada, needles are dark green and short needles, .5 of an inch long. The tree produces pine cones up to 1 inch long and also hangs from its branches for many years.

 

I use to love to visit the tree farms when I lived in Northern climates. The last tree I cut down was in 1996 with my son. We visited a tree farm not far from where we lived in Lake County, IL. The snow was on the ground and the branches of the trees were full of snow. I wore a red coat and I remember my son told me I was easy to find among the pine trees, white snow and my bright red coat. When we finally decided on the perfect tree, I gave him the honors of cutting down the tree and I stood back and watched. There were warm tears in my eyes. My son was turning into a man and that was a happy moment for me. After we paid for the tree, we sat by a fire and drank hot chocolate that the man gave us for buying a tree. It was a rare and beautiful moment with the glow of the fire, a hot cup of cocoa and my son and me together…

 

Memories are forever - Life is Good!

 

Patricia Feager, MBA

Patricia Feager Sells Flower Mound - TX
"The Little REALTOR That Could"
Keller Williams Realty
2611 Cross Timbers Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
www.patriciafeager.com
Direct: (469) 449-9858
FAX: (972) 350-8525