Helpful Tips: The Difference Between Fraser and Balsam Fir Christmas Trees
At Mahoney’s, we are proud to be part of your holiday traditions by offering fresh cut Christmas trees at all seven of our locations. We’re thrilled to have a variety of specialty trees including Blue Spruce, Alpine Fir, Concolor Fir, Silver Fir, Korean Fir, Cooks Fir, and White Pine but the most popular trees for your holiday centerpiece are Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir. We often get asked, what’s the difference between Fraser and Balsam Fir Christmas Trees? Here’s a quick breakdown of each, but remember: both will bring the merriest of the holidays to your home! Available in all shapes, sizes and price points in our stores now.
Fraser Fir
Distinguished by its robust branches and stiff needles, the Fraser Fir is a top contender. Its needles, with a deep blue-green hue and silvery-blue undersides, are shorter and rounded (about 0.5 to 1 inch) while offering excellent needle retention. The needles spiral around each branch, providing a unique and resilient structure ideal for heavier ornaments.
Balsam Fir
Meanwhile, the Balsam Fir, grown at Mahoney’s Evergreens, our own sustainable tree farm, is known for its softer needles and flexibility compared to the Fraser. With needles sporting a dark green color and silver undersides, they are longer and flatter (ranging from about 0.75 to 1.25 inches) and emit a stronger fragrance. These needles grow in two rows along the sides of each branch, offering a different visual arrangement than the spiral pattern of the Fraser Fir.
Watch our video below to visualize the difference and click here for our guide to caring for your fresh cut tree!
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