Christmas Trees Day 4 - Colorado Blue Spruce

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Are you headed out to get your Christmas Tree? This week I am showcasing a few of the favorites.

Today's variety is the Colorado Blue Spruce, Christmas Tree of the Presidents (seriously, one was planted in 1978 as the official living White House Lawn Christmas tree). Because they can be bought balled and burlapped, and then planted after the holidays, Blue Spruce have enjoyed an increase in popularity as a Christmas tree species.

Photo from Balsam Creek Lane Tree Farm

The tree is symmetrical with attractive dark green to powdery blue foliage. (The needles take on a silver hue depending on the tree.) Needle retention is among the best for the spruces. Once planted, blue spruces are slow growing, though they are long lived.

BONUS tree.

Photo from Delaware Christmas Tree Growers Association

I would be remiss if I did not tell you Tom's favorite tree (and, as a result, the species we decorate from year to year) - the Eastern White Pine. White Pine needles are long, soft and range in color from bluish-green to silvery green. Needle retention is good to excellent, but the trees' flexible branches make heavy ornaments a no-go. The tree has little to no aroma, which may result in fewer allergy problems for humans. (They are very lovely.)

Frasir Fir
Scotch Pine
Eastern Redcedar