December 8, 2023
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 offer a wide variety of specialty trees—including Blue Spruce, Alpine Fir, Concolor Fir, Silver Fir, Korean Fir, Cooks Fir, and White Pine—but Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir remain the most popular choices for a holiday centerpiece. Many customers ask us about the difference between Fraser and Balsam Fir Christmas trees, so here’s a quick breakdown of each. Both will bring the merriest of the holidays to your home, and they’re 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—offers softer needles and more flexibility than 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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