Christmas Trees That Grow in Moist Soil

Types

• Balsam firs (Abies balsamea) grow to 60 feet in the wild, needing as long as 10 years to reach heights of 6 or 7 feet -- appropriate for a Christmas tree. Grand firs (Abies grandis) attain huge sizes in a natural setting, growing to 300 feet. To become a Christmas tree, it needs between 8 and 10 years. Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the wild grows much taller, to 215 feet, than it does as a cultivated specimen. Most wind up full grown at between 40 to 60 feet. It grows to 7 feet in 8 to 11 years. Colorado blue spruce trees (Picea pungens) may be 120 feet high; it grows slowly, but lives as long as 800 years.

Geography

• Native to much of Canada and many northern American states, especially from the Great Lakes eastward, balsam firs are cold hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness Zone 3. Grand firs grow in the Pacific Northwest, doing best in Zone 6. The Norway spruce tolerates Zone 3 chills, but it is not a native tree, hailing from central and northern sections of Europe. A native tree in the American Southwest, the blue spruce tolerates Zone 3 weather.

Features

• Balsam firs have needles that stay on the tree a long time, even if you cut the tree for use at Christmas. The foliage is dark green. Grand firs are highly aromatic, with its scent amplified when you bring the tree indoors. The Norway spruce can feature excellent needle color, but it dries out quickly if it is not watered properly. Colorado blue spruce trees are among the most sought-after living Christmas trees because of their blue-green needle color and needle retention.

Growing Conditions

• Keep a balsam fir out of dry, hot locations. It has a shallow system of roots, making it easy to transplant. The grand fir is one of the few firs that can grow in partial shade. Deep, damp, acidic soil is the best possible medium for this Christmas tree. Full sun in cool climates is optimum for the Norway spruce. Protect it from wind since it has a rather shallow root system. The blue spruce has some drought tolerance. It has deep roots, making it able to hold up in windy conditions.