The fresh Christmas tree should be a healthy green color. When you run your hand along the branch of the tree, the needles should hold fast and be flexible. A real Christmas tree with stiff, brittle needles is too dry and will turn brown and drop needles very quickly.

Douglas Fir. (Pseudotsuga menziesii) As the fastest growing Christmas tree, it is the mainstay of growers. Found everywhere in the Northwest, it is widely used for reforesting timber land.

Scotch Pine Has been the most popular Christmas tree in Ohio-this pine has dark to medium green color with firm branches. Needle retention is very good. Needles range from 1.5” to 3” long and grow in clusters of two. Depending on shearing, this tree can be very full.

Buy trees that are tried and true, rather than fancy trees that may not be sourced from Illinois or surrounding states. Colorado blue spruce, Douglas fir, eastern white pine, Norway spruce, Scotch pine and white spruce are the types of trees that grow best in Illinois.