Choosing a Christmas tree at a U-cut farm is a tradition among some families. Courtesy photo.
By Jennifer Devine
MI BACKYARD
As of 2020, Michigan was the third-largest Christmas tree producer in the country with more than 37,000 productive acres from 500-plus tree farms providing pre-cut, U-Cut and wholesale evergreen trees. This number doesn’t include the many evergreens growing naturally throughout our forests.
Our family’s tradition, as I was growing up, was to find the fullest, most cone-shaped tree to cut ourselves at a U-cut farm in the southern part of the state. When I moved out, my parents took my little cousins to do this. Before we moved up north, my own “littles” were able to trek through snow to help find that perfect tree for Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Although the tree was beautiful, I still remember how the heavy ornaments had to rest on the branch below for support.
So, what type of tree has good branch strength? How about needle retention? Which ones are aromatic? Let me help you decide which tree to consider, based on facts about pine, spruce and fir trees. See my starred recommendations for the strongest branches in each tree type.
Pine
Native to Michigan in this list are Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) and our state tree, the White Pine (Pinus stobus). You’ll know a pine when you see it because they have two, three or five needles protruding from the fascicle (bundle) on the twig.
Jack Pine has short, sharp needles, 3/4-2 inches long, in a bundle of two. Red Pine has long and slender sharp-tipped needles, from 4 inches to almost 7 inches long, two to a bundle. White Pine’s needles are bright green and anywhere from 2 inches to 6 inches long, in bundles of five. Jack and Red Pines are not normally found in the southeastern part of the state, while the White Pine has been located in almost every county across the Mitten. Garlands and wreaths are usually made from White Pine.
PRO: White Pine is great for a home with kids because of the needles’ softness.
CON: White Pines have softer, more bendable branches.
*Choose Scots (Scotch) Pine, a Eurasian species. They are known for great needle retention and strong branches.
Spruce
Leading the way as Michigan natives are Black Spruce (Picea mariana), with blue-green needles averaging 1/2” long; White Spruce (Picea glauca), with pale green needles about a 1/2” long; and the recently naturalized Norway Spruce (Picea abies) with dark green needles that are 1/2”-1” long. You’ve found a spruce if you can roll a needle between your fingers. Spruce needles are singular, square shaped and sharp. Where needles are plucked, the twig is bumpy with the remaining fascicle.
PRO: Strong branches can hold some heavier ornaments.
CON: The odor of broken needles on a White Spruce are reminiscent of cat urine.
*Choose a Colorado Blue Spruce from a tree farm for the strongest branches.
Fir
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)is the only fir native to Michigan. Balsam fir grows in the Laurentian Mixed Forest above the Climatic Tension Zone. Cut fir trees have a much better needle retention rate, lasting longer through the holiday season. You’ve found a fir, especially a Balsam, if you place a needle between your fingers and you cannot roll it. Balsam needles are flat, dark green and flat, with two white stripes on the underside. Their average length is 1 inch and they are soft, with a blunt tip. When the needles are plucked, the twig remains smooth.
PRO: This is the most aromatic of the Christmas trees.
CON: A fir’s flexible branches don’t support a lot of weight.
*Choose a Noble Fir for the strongest branches.
Cut your own
The Laurentian Mixed Forest is where you’ll find the largest selection of our native trees. This forest begins just about halfway up the Mitten and continues through the U.P.
Cut your own $5 Christmas tree. Call your local National Forest Service office or visit www.recreation.gov/tree-permits to find a participating NFS area near you. You’ll find tips, guidelines and maps to tree-cutting areas in your chosen National Forest. Make sure you follow all laws and rules. Visit everykidoutdoors.gov if you are a 4th grader for a free tree tag, thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors initiative.
Have a great adventure in MI Backyard and Happy Holidays.
