Choose a Perfect Live Christmas Tree Guide

The tradition of decorating a live Christmas tree has been cherished for centuries, bringing warmth and joy to homes during the holiday season. There’s something special about the sight of a real tree, with its natural beauty and festive charm. The fresh scent of pine or fir that fills your home is unmatched, instantly creating a cozy, holiday atmosphere that evokes the feeling of winter forests and timeless holiday memories. Tanya Olsen, third-generation owner of Royal City Nursery and Professor in the Horticulture Apprenticeship program at Humber College, introduces the different Christmas tree varieties available this year (2024) while sharing her top tips for keeping your live tree fresh and healthy throughout the season.

Check out our YouTube video on ‘Tanya’s Guide to Christmas Trees (filmed in 2021) or scroll to continue reading. 

Thumbnail image with link to ‘Tanya’s Guide to Christmas Trees’  video on our YouTube channel.

Picking the Right Christmas Tree for Your Home

When selecting a live Christmas tree, there are a few important factors to consider to ensure you choose the perfect one for your space and holiday needs.

• Size: First, think about how much space you have in your home for a tree. Measure the height and width of the area where the tree will go to make sure it fits comfortably. Keep in mind that some varieties, like the Balsam Fir, can grow quite wide, while others, like the Fraser Fir, have a more narrow profile.
• Shape: Each tree variety has its own natural shape, so consider the look you prefer. If you’re aiming for a fuller, more traditional tree, a Balsam Fir may be the right choice. For a more symmetrical, conical shape, the Fraser Fir is a great option.
• Scent: The fragrance of your tree is one of its most defining qualities. If you love the strong, sweet smell of Christmas, a Balsam Fir or Fraser Fir will be a perfect match. For a lighter scent, the Scotch Pine offers a more subtle fragrance while still adding a touch of holiday spirit to your home.
• Needles and Durability: Different trees vary in how well they hold their needles and stay fresh. The Fraser Fir is known for retaining its needles well, even in warm conditions. If you’re looking for a tree that will last throughout the holidays with minimal needle loss, this might be the best choice. Balsam Firs, while fragrant, tend to drop their needles more quickly, so they require extra attention to hydration. Scotch Pines are known for their excellent needle retention and durability, making them a resilient choice for families with young children or pets.

Considering these factors will help you choose a tree that suits your space, décor style, and holiday needs, ensuring that your live tree is both beautiful and lasting.

Fraser Fir: A Classic Choice

The Fraser Fir is a well-loved favourite for holiday decorating, known for its strong branches and pleasant, citrus-like scent. With a typically narrow, pyramidal shape, Fraser firs are ideal for medium to large spaces, offering a classic look that fits beautifully into any holiday setting.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Fraser firs are particularly thirsty, so be sure to keep the tree stand filled with water at all times to help maintain its freshness and vibrant colour. Be sure to check the water levels in your tree stand daily.
• Temperature: To prevent drying out, place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces or air vents.
• Needles: This variety is known for its excellent needle retention, with many Fraser firs holding their needles well into the new year, making them a long-lasting choice for the season. 

Decorating Ideas
Fraser firs are perfect for elegant, understated décor. Consider using silver or gold ornaments and a classic star topper for a timeless look. Their sturdy branches also support traditional themes or forest-inspired decorations, such as pinecones, burlap ribbons, and natural wood accents, which pair beautifully with the tree’s fresh, classic feel.

Balsam Fir: The Scent of Christmas

The Balsam Fir is beloved for its strong, sweet fragrance, often described as the quintessential “smell of Christmas.” With its lush, deep green colour and wider profile, the Balsam Fir is ideal for filling larger rooms and creating a grand holiday display.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Balsam firs require a generous amount of water, so using a large stand that can hold a good amount will help keep the tree hydrated and vibrant. Be sure to check the water levels in your tree stand daily.
• Humidity: Balsam firs can be extra sensitive to dry indoor air, so it helps to keep the room humidified or lightly mist the tree to maintain freshness.
• Needles: Balsam firs may lose their needles more quickly than other varieties if they become too dry, so regular watering is essential to prolong their lifespan.

Decorating Ideas
The deep green needles of the Balsam Fir make a striking backdrop for metallic or jewel-toned ornaments, adding a pop of colour to its rich foliage. For a classic look, this variety pairs beautifully with rustic or vintage-themed decorations, like plaid ribbons, handmade ornaments, and wooden accents, enhancing its timeless holiday appeal. 

Scotch Pine: The Tough Tree

The Scotch Pine is a hardy and long-lasting tree, celebrated for its stiff branches and outstanding needle retention. Known for its resilience, the Scotch Pine’s more open, airy shape makes it a great choice for large spaces and grand, eye-catching decorations.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Although Scotch pines are incredibly resilient, they still require regular watering to keep them at their best. Their sturdy branches make them ideal for heavier decorations, so be sure to keep the water level topped up for a fresh, vibrant look. Be sure to check the water levels in your tree stand daily.
• Needles: Scotch pines are known to drop their needles faster than firs, but the needles hang on longer even in drier conditions, making them a low-maintenance choice for busy households.
• Placement: Scotch pines thrive in cooler environments, so place them away from drafts or direct sunlight for best results.

Decorating Ideas
With its open shape, the Scotch Pine is perfect for a bold, fun holiday look with colourful lights and large ornaments. This variety pairs well with modern or whimsical themes, featuring oversized ornaments, playful garlands, and unique tree toppers, allowing for creativity and festive flair in your holiday décor.

For all our trees, we recommend using a Christmas Tree preservative such as Miracle Gro for Christmas Trees. Simply add a cap-full into every litre of water to keep your tree hydrated throughout the season. 

What to Do with Your Tree After Christmas

When the holidays are over, there are several sustainable options for giving your tree a second life. Recycling or composting is an eco-friendly choice; many local recycling programs turn Christmas trees into mulch or compost, which can be used in gardens and public spaces. Check out the Royal Botanical Gardens who need trees for their wetland preservation or Trees for Tots or who curb-side pick up your tree for a suggested donation of $15. 

Consider repurposing it for outdoor use by placing it in the garden as a habitat for wildlife or using it as a natural windbreak to protect plants during winter. Tanya & Dave place their tree on the porch for the birds to use as shelter! For those who purchased a live tree in a container, planting your tree in the yard can be a rewarding way to extend its life. To do this, gradually acclimate the tree to outdoor temperatures before planting, and make sure it’s well-watered and mulched. 

Finally, if you enjoy DIY projects, try some creative up-cycling ideas by using the branches to make wreaths, natural décor or homemade all-purpose fir tree cleaner. This way, your Christmas tree can continue to bring seasonal charm to your home, even after the holidays. 

Choosing a live Christmas tree brings a unique warmth and authenticity to holiday celebrations, filling your home with fresh scents and timeless beauty. Whether you choose a classic Fraser Fir, a fragrant Balsam Fir, or a hardy Scotch Pine, each variety adds its own charm to your décor. A live Christmas tree not only enhances your holiday experience but also connects you to nature, creating memories and traditions that last well beyond the season.

Christmas trees have arrived at Royal City Nursery for the 2024 holiday season! Bring the family by to choose your perfect tree, and let our team of experts help you find the ideal variety for your home. We’ll even make a fresh cut on the stem so your tree is ready to place in your stand as soon as you get home.

About Tanya Olsen:

Tanya is a third-generation garden centre owner and landscape designer.

Teaches Horticulture Apprenticeship at Humber College in Ontario, Canada.

Has a weekly segment on CTV news.

Has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.

YWCA Woman of Distinction.

About Royal City Nursery:

Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.