New Christmas tree species guide available from MSU Extension

Heidi Lindberg<wollaege@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Growers can use this guide to help choose a Christmas tree species to plant.

A Fraser fir Christmas tree.
Photo 1. Fraser fir Christmas tree. Photo by Real Christmas Tree Board.

Choosing a species for a new Christmas tree planting is one of the most important decisions a farmer will make. Growers should match species to their specific site based on soil type, soil chemistry, water holding capacity and slope. There are numerous resources available to growers to guide decision making, including a 2022 Great Lakes Christmas Tree Journal article, “Matching Species to Site – Some Considerations,” a recording from the 2023 webinar series, “Location, Location, Location: Matching Tree Species to Site Location” and the North Central Regional Extension publication, “Recommended Species for Christmas Tree Plantings.”

Michigan State University Extension has published a new "Christmas Tree Species Guide" that summarizes general attributes of common Christmas tree species that are grown in Michigan. This guide provides notes about the species, such as its native region, advantages and challenges for growers, and notes on needle retention when the tree is displayed in water or when the greenery is cut and displayed dry.

This guide can be used by any Christmas tree grower but may have special use for those entering into the industry.

For example, Fraser fir (Photo 1) is native to high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains and is the most popular tree species in the Midwest, having a high market demand. However, it requires specific site conditions, such as acidic soils (pH <5.5) and well drained soils, as it is very susceptible to phytophthora root rot. It also has precocious coning—it produces cones early in the crop rotation, which requires additional expenses to remove.

If you are interested in Christmas tree production, registration is still open for two webinar series happening now:

Download the new Christmas Tree Species Guide today!

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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