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 Once upon a time a Christmas tree was a Christmas tree. It was Norway spruce, Picea abies, and nothing else. The past few years, though, have seen a proliferation of other species appearing in shops and garden centres, usually accompanied by a claim that they will not drop their needles, and, of course, a hefty price tag.
Keen gardeners might consider growing their own, and have quality trees in a few years' time without having to pay so much for them. But they'll need to know which kind of tree will grow successfully in their garden. Finally, some might want a conifer with a classic Christmas tree shape as a garden tree.
It will help if the names fir and spruce are clarified, as, superficially, the two genera look similar, with the same narrowly conical shape. Spruces (picea) tend to have narrower, sharper needles, but the definitive test is to pull off a needle: spruces pull away a tiny piece of stem, firs (abies) come away clean.
Both groups of conifers grow naturally in climates considerably harsher than the average British garden. While this might make them good trees for difficult places, it presents its own problems, chiefly that the mild and moist winters we have leave them open to a range of pest and disease problems.
 As a general rule, the Norway spruce Picea abies is still the most reliable and fastest Christmas tree. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), commonly grown as a forestry tree, can be faster growing on moister sites, but the needles are painfully sharp! Commercially, the Norway spruce's main rival is the Caucasian fir, Abies nordmanniana, with broad dark needles and a fine, somewhat stiff habit. It is sold as one that does not drop its needles, but while it may hang on to them well, it is not totally immune.
As Geoff Locke, a nurseryman in Gloucestershire with wide experience of Christmas tree growing, says, 'I've seen them drop their needles badly; anyway, Norway spruce shouldn't drop its needles if the trees are freshly dug with some roots, and not kept in ridiculously hot conditions'. |
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