Nordman Fir ( Abies Nordmaniana)

A tree with a classic Christmas tree shape & a dark greed glossy needle, this tree has become the most popular of the tree varieties. It has good needle holding once the tree has been cut and is inside the home.

From the growers point of view, it is capable of being grown on a number of different soil conditions and land types and , when in the most favourable soils produces a very uniform crop of trees.

The Nordman Fir originates from the Caucus Mountains and occurs on both sides of the mountain range. Seed for Christmas tree production is therefore collected in either Turkey or Georgia

There is a preference for the Georgian seed as this is from the northern side of the mountain range and the trees naturally inhabit an area with a colder climate than those from the southern side. This means that they are naturally later flushing in the spring and are much less likely to suffer from frost damage. The area Ambourlaui has become a favoured region for seed collection, and this seed has become the most famous region for seed to be used for the production of Christmas trees.

Fraser Fir ( Abies Fraseri)

Originating from the United States, particularly in the region Mount Rogers, this has become a popular tree due to its similarity to the traditional Spruce tree, but with excellent needle holding. It grows quite quickly in comparison to other firs, but unlike its cousins can be readily pruned to shape with very good result. It has the advantage of a strong scent that comes into the home.

Fraser can be very site sensitive and will not tolerate wet conditions. Even as quite a large tree ( 1.2 – 2.0 metres) if the root structure becomes very wet, then it can cause death quickly.

It has recently been dogged by aphid attack across the country which has led many growers to stop production of this tree. Whilst the problem can be treated it requires close attention to treat it properly. Some growers have found it impossible to eradicate.


Noble Fir (Abies Procera)

From the North West United States, the tree was originally introduced here by the explorer Douglas. It is still found growing on the mountain ranges of Washington State & Oregon.

As its name suggests Noble can provide a find Christmas tree. It can be very Blue in colour and provide a lovely scent. However it has proved exceptionally difficult to grow with many pitfalls for the grower. Consequently it is now only produced in limited numbers and rarely produces a uniform crop of a high standard.

Noble has proved to be very site sensitive and can also suffer from a needle necrosis that makes the tree unsightly due to brown stripes on the needles caused by a lack of calcium in the tree.

Where it is good it is very good, but it has proved difficult to justify as a commercial crop.

The foliage differs from the Nordman in being matt in texture not glossy and veering towards a blue if not very blue colour. Rather than flat the needles are “hockey stick” shaped.

Norway Spruce ( Picea Abies)

Still regarded as the traditional tree, it has been overtaken in popularity by the Nordman fir in recent years

It occurs naturally throughout the UK and the rest of Northern Europe. It is because of this and its ability to grown well on a number of sites that it has become a popular tree.

It grows on a wide variety of soils and is easily grown in virtually all conditions providing there is good drainage. It is easily shaped and a grower can expect to get a very high volume of good quality trees if he invests time and money in a regimented pruning regime.

It has become less popular with growers in recent years due to the low returns they have been realising and is now produced on a small scale.

Serbain Spruce ( Picea Omorika)

A close relative of Norway, this tree grows naturally in colder climates than Norway. As a result it is later flushing in habit and is often used by Foresters in frost pockets.

Similar to Norway, it has the added attraction of a Blue underside of the needle that from a distance gives it a two tone green/blue look.

It is sold as an interesting alternative, and still has a place as an alternative variety of tree.