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Credit: Joseph Pinciaro
Credit: Joseph Pinciaro

Evergreens are a traditional part of Christmas celebrations and you can find plenty of farms on the North Fork that will allow you to cut down your own tree.

But while the trees may all look essentially the same to the untrained eye, experts at the National Christmas Tree Association say at least 11 major varieties of Christmas trees — each with a distinct set of characteristics — grow in the United States.

Whether you’re in the market for a tree with sturdy branches that can support heavy ornaments or just want one that won’t shed its needles all over the floor, local farmers can take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect holiday tree.

Here’s a look at the most popular varieties available on the North Fork.

BLUE SPRUCE

About: Native to the Rocky Mountains, the blue spruce is Colorado’s state tree and boasts bluish-green needles.

Pro: The variety is aesthetically appealing. “It’s a beautiful tree,” said Lisa Edson of Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Cutchogue. “And it has very sturdy branches and needles and nice gaps for decorating.”

Con: You might want to wear protective gloves when dressing up this tree for the holidays: “The needles hurt your hands,” Edson said.

CONCOLOR FIR

About: Also known as a white fir, the Concolor is native to the mountains of western North America and is popular with landscapers.

Pro: This variety’s citrus scent “makes any room smell fantastic,” Edson said. “Not all trees have a scent.”

Con: The tree’s long, soft needles aren’t well-equipped to support heavy ornaments, she said, and smaller ornaments may “get lost in it.”

DOUGLAS FIR

About: According to the NCTA, Douglas firs are among the top Christmas tree species in the country. They have bluish-green needles that release a sweet fragrance when crushed.

“Douglas firs are probably the most popular [because that’s your traditional Christmas tree],” said Shirley Lewin of Lewin’s Christmas Tree Farm in Wading River.

Pro: This tree’s soft needles are kid- and pet-friendly.

Con: On the flip side, the softness of the needles means Douglas firs are decidedly ill-equipped to support heavy ornaments.

FRASER FIR

About: This tree’s nice form, firm branches and good needle retention make it the “Cadillac of Christmas trees,” said Jonathan Shipman of Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Mattituck.

“They’re a particular favorite of mine,” added Judy Dart of Dart’s Christmas Tree Farm in Southold. “They have three-dimensional needles around the branches that are bluish on the underside.”

Pro: “I like the spacing between the branches,” Dart said. “Some [varieties] have branches that are very close together and I don’t feel that you can really get a lot of ornaments on them or that they show very well. [Fraser firs] have nice spacing between the branches and ornaments show very well on them.”

Con: Depending on the farm’s location and soil, Fraser firs can be difficult to grow.

“We seem to have gotten lucky and have been able to grow a really nice crop of them over the years, but sometimes they can be a little tricky, and we’ve had some die on us,” Dart said.

 CANAAN FIR

About: A relative newcomer to the Christmas tree market, Canaan firs “kind of look like a Fraser fir,” Shipman said. “A lot of people can’t tell the difference.”

Pro: Like Fraser firs, Canaans boast good needle retention and look beautiful when decorated.

Con: The needle retention is not as good as that of Fraser firs, according to Shipman.

NORWAY SPRUCE

About: Native to northern central Europe, Norway spruces have shiny green needles and withstand chilly temperatures well.

If you opt for a Norway spruce this holiday season, you’re in good company: A 76-foot, 75-year-old Norway spruce was chosen as last year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Pro: “It grows great on Long Island,” Shipman said. The Norway spruce’s stiff branches are also ideal for hanging lights.

Con: This tree’s prickly branches can make hanging ornaments an actual pain.

WHITE SPRUCE

About: This variety of tree features dark green, silver-tinged foliage and an aesthetically pleasing triangular shape.

Pro: According to the NCTA, white spruces have the best needle retention among spruces, so they’ll hold ornaments well and won’t shed as much as other varieties. Plus, Shipman said, “They grow well on Long Island.”

Con: This variety’s sharp, rigid needles have the potential to prick unsuspecting fingertips.

 

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