Types of Christmas Trees

For those who want to shop for a tree, there are many options, as there are many different types of Christmas trees available in the market. Before that, let us know a little about the history of our favorite Christmas trees.

Although Christmas tree has become a symbol of Christianity, its beginnings can be traced back to before the founding of the religion itself. Evergreen trees used to be held in great reverence in cultures even before the advent of Christianity.

It was so because, with the year round foliage, the trees represented bountifulness. Some people also hung boughs of these trees in their homes as symbol of prosperity and protection against evil forces.

There is no clear consensus about how and where did the concept of Christmas tree in Christianity originated. However, one popular line of thought links it with St. Boniface. It is said that he cut down the Donar Oak which stood for Thor, the Norse God of Thunder.

This he did to confute the legitimacy of the Norse Gods to the Germanic tribes that lived in Geismar, a German town. There was a fir tree growing close to the roots of the Oak tree. He used the tree to proclaim the legitimacy of Christ and since then, the tree has become a sign of Christianity.

For those who want to know about the many varieties of Christmas trees out there, there are lots of options. There are natural as well as artificial Christmas tree types that are being offered on sale in shops. For the natural ones, the most common varieties are the fir, spruce, and pine tree species. Some of the common types are as follows:

The tree has full appearance and retains the needles all throughout the holiday season. However, it lacks fragrance. Nevertheless, it causes less allergic reactions as compared to the other more aromatic types.

With its strong branches and slightly upturned needles, the Fraser fir has a good pyramidal shape and form. The small needles that average in length to up to 1/2 to 1 inches are easier to decorate as compared to those with long needles. This tree has a nice scent and good needle retention as well.

All these characteristics make this spruce tree a good choice for those who want to put lot of Christmas ornaments on their tree. Although needle retention is good, the leaves give out an unpleasant odor when crushed.

The branches are soft but sturdy enough to hold a number of Christmas ornaments. With its sweet fragrance to add to the list of its positive characteristics, the balsam fir is a favorite of many who want to go shopping for Christmas trees.

Introduced to the United States by European settlers, this pine tree species has become a very popular type of Christmas tree. It has bright green needles that are about 1 inch long. This tree has excellent needle retention as they don't fall even when it's dry. With its open appearance and strong branches, the tree provides excellent option for decoration.

Other than the real trees, artificial Christmas trees are also available in the market. The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany during the 19th century that were made of goose feathers. From brush bristles to aluminum, Christmas trees are now also made from fiber optics.

These are some of the common types of Christmas trees popular in the United States. Decorating the Christmas tree is something that everyone enjoys. The tree has evolved from being a symbol of the religion to becoming a reason for all family members coming together to decorate the tree.