There are two basic types of indoor Christmas trees: Real and Artificial. Your choice depends on personal preference and activity level. Do you want to forego the heady scent of pine for the convenience of maintenance through the season?
Whichever you choose, there are some wonderful choices in different varieties. The terminology can become confusing, so here are a few basics.
Firs
Balsam Fir – This is shaped like a cone and flat needles. The live tree has a strong fragrance and its dark green boughs are sturdy.
Fraser Fir – With extra strong branches, this tree will hold the heaviest of ornaments. It is more yellowish-green and its needles will spiral up the trunk.
Douglas Fir – This is an old standby. Its needles bunch in groups and are very dark green.
Pines
White Pine – This grows needles in bunches and they have pointy tips and a bluish-green tint. Their branches are very flexible so are not recommended for heavy ornaments. This live tree has a very little scent.
Scotch Pine – This is one of the more popular choices for Christmas trees since it holds its needles well after cutting. That means less mess. The national tree of Scotland, it has dark green needles and very strong branches.
Virginia Pine – Short and slightly stocky, the Virginia pine has short branches but filled with foliage. The needles are twisted pairs. It looks well filled with lights and ornaments.
Spruce
Blue Spruce – Native to the Rocky Mountains especially around Colorado in the U.S., it sports upturned gray-blue foliage. It is densely packed and some people think it is the perfect shape for a Christmas tree.
Norway Spruce – This tree has dark green needles with pointed tips. They will take more maintenance in watering and tidying up since it does not hold its needles very well indoors.
White Spruce – Also called Canadian spruce or skunk spruce, it is very large with short, strong, blue-green needles. They hold most types of ornaments without a problem.
Cypress
Cypress trees are more likely to be used as a windbreak or demarcation for privacy. They are tall and slender and are the models for the artificial pencil Christmas trees.
Cedar
Cedars are usually found in landscape architecture and seldom used for indoor Christmas trees.
These are the features of live trees, but their shapes and needle configuration translate into the artificial assortment as well.
A good place to look for different types of Christmas trees and décor online is our site.
You can see unlit artificial Christmas trees here