Canaan (pronounced "Ka-naan", with emphasis
on the last syllable) is a relative newcomer to the Christmas tree market.
The Canaan Fir, Abies balsamea phanerolepis, a little known tree that
grows in isolated pockets in the mountains of West Virginia and Western
Virginia. The tree takes its common name from the Canaan Valley northeast
of Elkins, West Virginia. Research in Ohio has proven that the Canaan Fir
will flourish on less than perfect fir sites, and has shown potential to
replace Fraser Fir on sites that are prone to root decline. Currently the
tree is being grown in 25 states for Christmas tree and nursery/ornamental
production. Color is a dark green to bluish dark green with stomatal
stripes on the underside of the needle which are less pronounced than in
the Fraser. Branching is more limber than in Fraser. As with any Fir,
Canaan does best in deep loam, however the tree will vigorously grow in a
variety of soil types, with the exception of dry upland sites on a western
exposure.
Beginning with the British colonists,
eastern white pine (or white pine) has proven to be one of the most
important and most desirable species of North America. Leaves (needles)
are soft, flexible and bluish-green to silver green in color and are
regularly arranged in bundles of five. Needles are 2 1/2-5 inches long and
are usually shed at the end of the second growing season. For Christmas
trees, sheared trees are preferred, although some people feel shearing
results in trees too dense for larger ornaments. Needle retention is good
to excellent. White pine has very little aroma, but, conversely, is
reported to result in fewer allergic reactions than do some of the more
aromatic species. To produce a 6-foot tree requires 6-8 years on good
sites.
Scotch or Scots pine is an introduced
species which has been widely planted for the purpose of producing
Christmas trees. As a Christmas tree, it is known for its dark green
foliage and stiff branches which are well suited for decorating with both
light and heavy ornaments. It has excellent needle retention
characteristics. The needles of Scotch pine are produced in bundles of
two. They are variable in length, ranging from slightly over 1-inch for
some varieties to nearly 3-inches for others. Color is likewise variable
with bright green characteristic of a few varieties to dark green to
bluish tones more prominent in others. Large amounts of cones are likewise
produced which often persist on the tree from one year to the next. Like
most pines two growing seasons are required to produce mature cones. As a
Christmas tree Scotch pine is probably the most commonly used species in
the United States. As a Christmas tree Scotch pine is known for its
excellent needle retention and good keepability. When displayed in a water
filled container it will remain fresh for the normal 3 to 4 week Christmas
season. Like all natural trees it is readily recyclable and has many
different uses following the Christmas holidays.
Colorado blue spruce, or blue spruce, is an
attractive tree often used for Christmas trees or as ornamentals,
particularly in the eastern United States and Europe. It is the official
state tree of both Colorado and Utah. Leaves (needles) are 1-1 1/2
inches long on lower branches but somewhat shorter on upper branches. They
are 4-sided and have a very sharp point on the end. Blue spruce is
moderately shade tolerant and grows best in deep, rich, gravely soils,
often along stream banks and other sites with high moisture levels. Blue
spruce is finding increasing popularity as a Christmas tree as a result of
its symmetrical form and attractive blue foliage. The species has an
excellent natural shape and requires little shearing. Additionally, needle
retention is among the best for the spruces. Its popularity as an
ornamental leads many consumers to use blue spruce as a living Christmas
tree, to be planted after the holiday season.
In many respects, Fraser fir and balsam fir
are quite similar, although the geographic ranges of the two species do
not overlap. Fraser fir was named for John Fraser (1750-1811), a Scot
botanist who explored the southern Appalachian Mountains in the late 18th
century. Fraser fir is a uniformly pyramid-shaped tree which reaches a
maximum height of about 80 feet and a diameter of 1-1.5 feet. Strong
branches are turned slightly upward which gives the tree a compact
appearance. Leaves (needles) are flattened, dark-green with a medial
groove on the upper side and two broad silvery-white bands on the lower
surface. The combination of form, needle retention, dark blue-green color,
pleasant scent and excellent shipping characteristics has led to Fraser
fir being a most popular Christmas tree species. North Carolina produces
the majority of Fraser fir Christmas trees. It requires from 7 to 10 years
in the field to produce a 6-7 feet tree.
Norway spruce is one of the most important
species on the European Continent. More than 100 forms and varieties have
been named. Although not native to the Western hemisphere, the species and
a number of its varieties are commonly planted here, particularly in
southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. Originally, a number
of plants were established as ornamentals, with Christmas tree plantings
being established more recently. Norway Spruce produces cones 4-7 inches
in length, with wedge-shaped scales. These cones are the largest of any
spruce species. Cones mature in one year and ripen from September to
November. For Christmas trees, overall color of Norway spruce is fair to
excellent, but needle retention is considered poor unless the trees are
cut fresh and kept properly watered. Growth during the first 10 years
after field planting is relatively slow and 8 to 11 years are required to
grow a 6-7 foot tree.
