TL;DR
- Best Christmas Trees in Ontario:
- Fraser Fir: Ideal shape, strong branches, fragrant, great needle retention.
- Douglas Fir: Lush, full tree with a strong, sweet fragrance.
- Balsam Fir: Highly fragrant with a traditional shape.
- Noble Fir: Strong branches, great for heavy ornaments, elegant layered look.
- Blue Spruce: Unique silvery-blue color, sharp needles.
- Scotch Pine: Excellent needle retention, sturdy branches, low-maintenance.
- Tips: Measure ceiling height, ensure adequate space for a tree topper, and water regularly for better needle retention. Choose based on fragrance and ornament needs.
- Sequoia TreeScape: Offers Christmas light installation services in York and Durham regions.
Best Christmas Tree Varieties for Your Ontario Home
When the holiday season rolls around, one of the most cherished traditions is selecting a Christmas tree. It becomes the center of your festive décor, and symbolizes the warmth, joy, and spirit of Christmas. Although artificial trees offer a certain amount of convenience and there isn’t the worry of dropping needles, there’s just something about a real tree. The smell of the needles, the beautiful greenery, and at the end of the season it simply needs to be taken to the curb ready to be composted. From different types of fir trees to spruce or pine, choosing the right tree can set the tone for your holiday celebrations. Below, we outline what we consider to be the best Christmas tree types you can get in Ontario.
Here’s a guide to some of the best types of Christmas trees in Ontario, to help you find the perfect one for your home:
1. Fraser Fir – The Fraser Fir is often considered the perfect Christmas tree because of its ideal shape, its durability, and its fragrant scent. With strong branches that hold heavy ornaments and soft needles that are less likely to cause injury than some other types of trees, it’s a popular choice among households.
Highlights of a Fraser Fir:
- Needles: Soft and dark green with silvery undersides
- Advantages: Excellent needle retention, symmetrical shape, strong branches
- Best type of Christmas tree for: Those who want a long-lasting, fragrant tree that stays fresh throughout the season
2. Douglas Fir – The Douglas Fir is another one of the most commonly used trees for Christmas, because of its soft needles and classic conical shape. It’s a fuller tree that gives a lush appearance, making it ideal for those who love a traditional, full-bodied Christmas tree.
Highlights of a Douglas Fir:
- Needles: Soft, flat, and bright green or blue-green
- Advantages: Strong fragrance, beautiful color, lush appearance
- Best type of Christmas tree for: People who prefer a visually full tree with a strong, sweet fragrance
3. Balsam Fir – Known for its incredibly fragrant scent, the Balsam Fir is another Christmas tree favorite. Its dark green needles and natural cone shape make it a beautiful option, while its pleasant aroma fills the home with the essence of the holidays.
Highlights of a Balsam Fir:
- Needles: Short, flat, and dark green with hints of silver
- Advantages: Strong fragrance, traditional shape, good needle retention
- Best type of Christmas tree for: Those who want a highly fragrant tree with a classic Christmas tree look
4. Noble Fir – The Noble Fir is highly sought after for its sturdy branches and attractive appearance. Its needles are more bluish-green and curve upward than in other types of fir trees. This exposes the tree’s undersides, which creates a layered effect. It’s also known for its ability to hold heavy ornaments without losing its shape.
Highlights of a Noble Fir:
- Needles: Bluish-green, long-lasting, and curved upward
- Advantages: Strong branches for ornaments, excellent needle retention, natural layered look
- Best type of Christmas tree for: Decorating enthusiasts who want to hang heavy ornaments and achieve an elegant look
5. Blue Spruce – This first non-fir tree on our list, the blue spruce, is for those who prefer a more unique color of Christmas tree. The Blue Spruce stands out with its silvery-blue needles. It’s a striking tree that adds a touch of winter magic to any home. However, it does have sharp needles that can be a downside for families with young children or pets.
Highlights of a Blue Spruce:
- Needles: Sharp, stiff, and blue to silver in color
- Advantages: Unique color, strong branches for ornaments, slow needle drop
- Best type of Christmas tree for: Those who want a distinctive and decorative tree
6. Scotch Pine – As one of the most popular types of Christmas trees, the Scotch Pine is known for its excellent needle retention. It has sturdy branches, making it a favourite for those who like to display many ornaments. Even after it dries, its needles stay on, making it a great low-maintenance choice.
Highlights of a Scotch Pine:
- Needles: Long, bright green, and stiff
- Advantages: Sturdy branches, long-lasting needles, affordable
- Best type of Christmas tree for: Families who want a durable tree that’s easy to care for
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree
When it comes to choosing the perfect Christmas tree, it’s important to know what size of tree you are looking for. Before selecting your tree, make sure to measure the height of your ceiling. It is always best to leave at least a foot from the top of your ceiling to the top of your tree so that there is adequate space for your tree topper. No matter what type of Christmas tree you choose, they will eventually start to drop needles as they dry out over time. Some trees like the Scotch Pine or Balsam Fir have better needle retention than others, but with all trees you should make an effort to keep your tree watered to prolong its needle life. Different trees have distinct scents as well. If the fragrance is important to you, consider fir trees like Fraser, Balsam, or Douglas. And when it comes to ornaments, trees like the Noble Fir or Blue Spruce have strong branches ideal for heavy ornaments, and softer needles compared to the Blue Spruce.
Selecting the Perfect Christmas Tree in Ontario
From the classic Fraser Fir to the unique Blue Spruce, each type of Christmas tree brings its own charm and festive cheer to any home. It’s worth taking the time to look through a selection of Christmas trees to make sure you find the perfect one for your family. The tree experts at Sequoia TreeScape love trees, and we love the holidays. If you are looking for someone to install lights in your trees or on the exterior of your home, we are also happy to provide Christmas light installation throughout the York and Durham regions. Contact us today to book your free quote. (416) 770-8733
Happy tree hunting, and may your holiday season be merry and bright!