Tree Descriptions

Silver Tip

(Abies Magnifica, Shastina; aka “red fir”), filling our “Traditional” profile, naturally grow at elevations from 6-8000ft.  This is why they tend to have a narrow profile, and whorls at up to 12” distance to be able to handle the severe winds and snow.   

 

The Silver Tip Christmas tree is native to the high elevations in California. It has long been a favorite since the 1920′s, known on the West Coast as the Cadillac of Christmas trees. The trees slow growth and open growth pattern makes this a holiday favorite for decorating. The name “Silver Tip” refers to the color and placement of the needles. The blue-green color on the tips of the branches is a different color then the interior green of the tree giving the appearance of the silver tipped branch. It has excellent keep ability, and very stiff branched to hold the heaviest of ornaments. 

 

Noble Fir

(Abies Procera) filling our “Elegant” profile. Long considered an excellent Christmas tree because of its beauty, soft needles, stiff branches and long keepability, the species is growing in popularity. The Noble Fir (Abies procera) is a western North American fir, native to the Cascade Range and Coast Range mountains of extreme northwest California and western Oregon and Washington in the United States. 
 
The branches of the Noble fir are evenly spaced and have needles that are roughly 4-sided (similar to spruce), over 1 inch long, bluish-green and are generally twisted upward so that the lower surface of branches are exposed. 
 
Extensive efforts are made to produce a beautiful Christmas tree for the holiday season. Typically, Noble firs are sheared or trimmed once a year but when there is a second growth another trim may be needed prior to being cut for the season. Much care is needed to make sure that there is a single straight top. 
 
Nobles are fast becoming the most desired tree for the holidays.

 

Douglas Fir 

(Pseudotsuga menziesii) filling our “Economically Elegant” profile, has been the major Christmas tree species used in the Pacific Northwest since the 1920's. It is a wide-ranging species that strangely enough is actually not related to the true firs. It grows throughout central California, western Oregon and Washington, parts of the Rockies and extends north to Alaska. It grows under a wide variety of environments from extremely dry, low elevation sites to moist sites. 
 
The branches are spreading to drooping and the buds are sharply pointed. The outer ends of the branches are less stiff than a Noble and can droop somewhat under the weight of ornaments.  The bark is very thick, fluted, ridged, rough and dark brown. Douglas firs are denser than their counterpart firs. Their needles are dark green or blue green, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, soft to the touch and radiate out in all directions from the branch. The needles have a sweet fragrance when crushed. 
 
Known as plantation trees, they are normally sheared once per year and will typically produce a marketable crop within 6 to over 8 years depending upon the site and growing area as well as the size desired. Referred to by the industry as Doug fir, they tend to grow a little faster than Noble fir and also tend to be easier to care for because of its ability to withstand more harsh growing conditions. 
 
Nationally, it remains one of the most popular Christmas trees species.