Water Cooler: Christmas tree guide

Walking into a corral stuffed to the brim with Christmas trees can be a little overwhelming. How do you narrow down your selection? Even if you’re the type to rely purely on Christmas spirit-inspired intuition when selecting the perfect tannenbaum, having an idea of what you want before shopping can help you choose a tree that checks all your holiday boxes.

First you have to decide if you want a real or artificial tree.

If you prefer the convenience of no annual outing, no maintenance and minimal cleanup, an artificial tree is a great option. Artificial trees come in a large price range depending on the quality and size, but the upfront investment will last years. They require storage, but are easier to transport. Many have the added bonus of built-in lighting if you despise untangling strands of lights.

If you enjoy the tradition of picking out a new tree each year, love the smell of an evergreen in your home over the holidays, don’t mind the repeated annual expense and can be responsible for upkeep like watering and sweeping dropped needles, a real tree won’t disappoint. In the Northwest, you will likely come across firs, pines and spruces.

Firs are a classic choice, with common local varieties including Douglas, noble, grand and Fraser. They are fragrant with stiff, short needles, pyramidal shape and have good needle retention. Douglas firs have a dark, saturated green color and rich, sweet scent. Noble and Fraser firs are similar with blue-green color, upturned, short and stiff branches that can handle heavy ornaments and are very aromatic. Grand firs are yellow-green with a citrusy scent and needles of alternating length for a full look. Balsam, Canaan, Fraser, Nordmann and concolor firs have similar properties, with slight variations in size, color and foliage shape.

Pines are a great option for those who prefer a shaggier look and less fragrance. Scots (also known as Scotch) pine is most common locally. Scots pines have dark green foliage, medium fragrance, strong branches and long needles that are known for retaining. White pines are also common and have thinner, blue-green needles and weaker branches. You might also come across Monterey, Norway, ponderosa, Austrian and Virginia pines that vary in foliage density and shape, as well as fragrance strength.

Spruces have a similar conical shape to firs with even stiffer branches and needles, making them an excellent choice for decorating with heavy ornaments. They are typically the least fragrant choice and some may find their fragrance unpleasant when the needles are crushed. Most varieties like the white, blue, Black Hills and Colorado blue have a beautiful green-blue or blue-gray appearance. Other varieties include the Meyer, Norway and Serbian spruce.

Before you head out to shop for a tree, try to determine where it will be placed and measure the area to know how much height and width you have to work with. Measure your tree base to know how large or small of a trunk it can accommodate.

While shopping, look for trees with vibrant color. A lot of twigs and withered bark can indicate a dry tree. Shake the tree to ensure healthy needle retention and inspect for insects.

Regardless of your chosen variety, they all require similar care. Keep them in a cool area for the best needle retention. Use smaller and LED lights for reduced drying and lower fire hazard. Water regularly with tap water, checking the levels daily. Clean up dropped needles regularly to make sure they aren’t eaten by pets or children.