The major feature of any home’s holiday décor is still the Christmas tree, which is usually constructed from the branches of the fir tree. The tree, adorned with lights, candy, pine, bells, and several other decorations, represents coziness, love, and the joy of giving. This blog is about Types of Xmas Fir Trees | How to Grow A Fir Tree.
Most households adorn their houses with artificial, potted, or freshly cut trees. The trees add to the festive mood when they are employed as indoor and outdoor decorations. Around the tree are gifts meant to be opened on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas.
But many people find it difficult to choose the perfect Christmas tree. This blog has compiled a list of 12 popular varieties of fir trees for the holiday season.
Different Types of Fir Trees
These are some of the most popular and appropriate dwarf types of fir trees that work well as potted live Christmas trees. After the holidays, you can relocate these fir trees into the landscape or keep them growing in pots.
Balsam Fir (Abies Balsamea)
The fir tree’s tall, flat, glossy needles are dark green and grow in a symmetrical pyramid shape. Despite its sensitivity to hot urban temperatures, the tree is popular for landscape plantings. It is used to make paper and is well-known for its fragrant oils and resins. It comes from North America.
Fraser Fir (Abies Fraseri)
This tree, named John Fraser after the renowned botanist, has flattened, glossy, dark green needles with white stripes running along the underside. It is native to the Eastern United States, resembles the Fraser tree in appearance, and is sometimes called the she-balsam.
Grand Fir (Abies Grandis)
This is one of the tallest fir trees, growing the fastest. It is native to Northwest America and goes by huge fir, silver fir, lowland white fir, and Oregon fir.
Himalayan Fir (Abies Spectabilis)
This unusual fir tree type, which may reach 100 feet, is prized for its beauty. Native to the Himalayas, this kind of tree is mainly grown in China, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan.
Korean Fir (Abies Koreana)
This smaller type of fir tree, indigenous to South Korea, can reach heights of up to 15 to 30 feet, with sporadic reports of getting 50 feet. It starts producing blue or purple cones when it is barely three feet tall. The tiny size of this species makes it ideal for a Christmas tree.
Noble Fir (Abies Procera)
This fir tree, native to Western Oregon and Northwest California, has one-inch grey-green or vivid blue-grey leaves and smooth, silvery-grey bark. The tree features separate branch layers with gaps that prevent barren patches and are ideal for displaying Christmas ornaments. These trees typically reach 50 feet, although they can reach 250 to 300 feet.
Caucasian Fir (Abies Nordmanniana)
This dark green, shiny needle with two white stripes on the undersides is flattened and tightly packed among the branches of this fir tree. This species can grow in a container if it is started there, making it an excellent option for a live Christmas tree. Native to Georgia, Turkey, the Russian Caucasus, and Northern Armenia, it reaches heights of 40 to 80 feet.
Red Fir (Abies Magnifica)
Crimson fir gets its name from the crimson bark that the tree develops over time. It is also referred to as the silver-tip fir or Shasta fir. This is native to Southwest California and Oregon and can reach heights of up to 200 feet.
Silver Fir (Abies Alba)
In Europe, this was the first species of fir tree utilized for Christmas trees. This tree is endemic to southern and central Europe and can grow up to 50 to 80 feet in height.
Spanish Fir (Abies Pinsapo)
This kind of fir tree, native to Morocco and Spain, can reach heights of 25 to 75 feet, with highly unusual instances running 100 feet. Hedgehog fir is named because of the spiky needles on the female cones, which resemble raspberries.
Subalpine Fir (Abies Lasiocarpa)
This medium-sized, slowly-growing fir tree is frequently used for bonsai crafts. When a tree is young, its bark is smooth and grey; as it ages, it becomes scaly. This is sometimes referred to as the Rocky Mountain Fir, and it is ideal for indoor growth because it thrives in shade. It grows to 30 to 50 feet and is native to western North America.
White Fir (Abies Concolor)
This tree is grown in Western North America and is known as the Colorado fir and the Rocky Mountain White Fir. The tree usually starts to produce 3 to 6-inch-long barrel-shaped cones when it is approximately 40 years old. This species can reach heights of 50 to 100 feet.
How to Grow a Fir Tree
It takes time to grow a fir tree from seed. The following considerations should be made when growing fir trees:
- Since fir trees can reach enormous heights and widths, they shouldn’t be placed near any structure.
- Winter is the ideal season to plant before the parent tree shows signs of new growth.
- Before planting, the soil needs to be moist, loosened, and prepared with compost.
- Utilize seeds taken from pine cone females.
- For indoor seed starting, use high-quality potting soil.
- Soak the seeds in pots in a bright window and give them plenty of water.
- Seeds may take months to germinate, so keep them moist and patient.
- Plant in the fall or early spring.
Planting Your Fir Tree
Planting your tree outdoors is possible after it is a sapling.
- Select a location that receives both full sun and partial shade.
- Plant a tree in damp, well-drained soil, ideally with a pH of 5.5 to 7. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic.
- Give the sapling regular watering, especially in the early going, as this promotes the development of more robust roots.
- Add mulch around the base to prevent weed growth and maintain the soil’s moisture content.
- Regular pruning will help the tree keep its shape and improve air circulation among the branches by removing dead branches.
- To provide the tree with nutrition, fertilize it infrequently and only in the spring.
- Covering your young tree with burlap in the winter can lessen damage by keeping it shielded from the bitter cold and snow.
Fir As a Christmas Tree: Decoration Tips
When decorating your Christmas tree, bear the following in mind:
- Put up the holiday lights. Select a strand whose green wire matches the tree to conceal the wire.
- Light your tree from within its branches by starting at the base and working your way up.
- Add a garland of Christmas trees. There are several varieties, ranging from beads to tinsel. Your tree will look fancy if you use a combination of these.
- Tie bows with ribbon and hang them from the tree. Another option is to let the ribbon dangle in cascades.
- Adorn the tree with decorations. Working your way up, start with the larger ones at the bottom. Include some diversity and make them stand out.
- If you’d like, you can decorate your tree with a range of colours or stick to a colour scheme that complements the style of your house.
- Add a tree skirt and a tree topper, such as a star or angel, to finish the ensemble.
- When you use high-quality decorations, you can store them safely and utilize them year after year.
Conclusion to Fir Trees
First, any fir tree you decide to grow in your garden or greenhouse can become a beautiful Christmas tree when decorated with vibrant and sparkling ornaments. Having and decorating a Christmas tree indoors or out is a joy and will make the season more enjoyable. Your tree will constantly remind you of the past and the good times ahead when it’s all said and done.
Also Read: Vastu of Fish Aquariums: Significance, Benefits, Directions and Implications
Similar Topics: Chalk Paint: Your Handy DIY Guide
