Fresh Cut NC Mountain Tree Characteristics

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.   

Average Dry Time is 4-6 weeks.

The concolor fir grows in an almost perfect pyramidal Christmas tree shape when young, with horizontally tiered branches.  Needles are short, flat and soft and are silvery blue-green.  The needles have a slight citrus smell when broken.  As with fraser firs, the concolor requires from 7 to 10 years in the field to produce a 7-foot tree.  

Average Dry Time is 4-6 weeks.

The Eastern White Pine is a traditional NC Christmas Tree.  This tree is a long-lived species, able to grow for 200 years or more, getting to 150 feet high with straight trunks that are important as a lumber source.  The White Pine is used as a Christmas Tree due to it's conical shape and very soft, long needles.  Needles are 2.5-5 inches in length on flexible branches that do well with lighter ornaments.  White Pine is a very popular greenery for holiday garland and wreaths.

Average Dry Time is 3-4 weeks.

Spruce are generally ornamental trees.  Some, like the Colorado Blue Spruce, have been used successfully as cut Christmas Tree, but others don't have the needle retention and color, once cut, to make a good Christmas Tree.  Many are great B&B trees and are popular with families who like to plant their tree after the holiday.  The root ball is heavy on these trees, about 15o pounds.