Christmas trees are probably one of the trees that most people are particularly familiar with, but if you’ve recently been handling one, you might be wondering whether Christmas trees and pine trees are the same. They have a lot of similarities, but are they actually the same plant?
Christmas trees certainly can be pine trees; we often use pine trees for this purpose. However, we also use other kinds of conifers, and so many Christmas trees are not pines, although they may look similar.
Let’s learn a bit more about how pine trees and Christmas trees relate to each other so you know what kind of tree you’re handling at all times.
Are Christmas Trees And Pine Trees The Same?
You may have observed that a Christmas tree looks a lot like a pine tree, and that’s because a Christmas tree often is a pine, or at least closely related to the pine. Although some people get inventive and use other kinds of trees for their Christmas decorating, Christmas trees are almost always members of the conifer family, and this has been considered traditional for hundreds of years.
However, Christmas trees are not always pine trees, even if they have the classic dark needles, conical shape, wonderful scent, and prickliness that we usually associate with pines; they can be other kinds of conifers instead. Three major groups of coniferous trees are generally used for Christmas:
- Pine
- Spruce
- Fir
Within these groups, there are also many different varieties. Which group is most commonly used will depend on where you live in the world; in some places, pines are the commonest and most popular option for Christmas trees. This has massively increased the association between the two, but a Christmas tree doesn’t need to be a pine.
If you take a look at the labels when you next go to purchase a Christmas tree, you are likely to find that there are different kinds of conifers for sale, and each has slightly different characteristics. However, they will share some strong similarities in terms of shape, appearance, and scent.
What Are The Differences Between Pine, Spruce, And Fir?
All of these trees are evergreen conifers, so they do share quite a few characteristics, but they are also pretty different from each other. If you look closely at them, you’ll see that they are completely different species, so let’s explore what sets them apart from each other.
Pine trees have needles that grow in bundles, and fewer branches than the other two. This makes them ideal for decorating because there is room to hang ornaments and bury tinsel into the heart of the tree. They can look a bit barer than the other two trees when undecorated, but this leaves much more scope to make them appear beautiful.
Fir trees have needles that grow in a spiral up to the tips of the branches, giving them a fuller appearance, but providing less room for decorating. The tree is bushy and beautiful, and it’s perfect if you want a greener Christmas tree, with fewer ornaments.
Spruce trees have sharper needles, also growing up the stems of the branches rather than in bunches like the pine. They have more space for decorations than the fir, but they shed needles readily and may not always have the classic conical shape. Some people love using them for Christmas trees because they will hold heavier ornaments.
Why Do We Use Pine Trees At Christmas?
You might now be wondering where the tradition of using pine trees for Christmas came from. The answer isn’t simple, but evergreen trees have been used to celebrate the winter season for centuries, by many different cultures. Bringing them indoors and decorating them represented various things, including everlasting life and a symbol of spring.
Some sources say that the first recorded Christmas tree was brought into a house by a preacher called Martin Luther in the 16th century, and he is believed to have included lights on it too. It’s impossible to say whether this tree was a pine tree or some other kind of evergreen, but it may have been the birthplace of our modern Christmas tree.
Alternatively, the Christmas tree may have come from Roman times or religion. The Pagans used evergreens for decorations, and in Christianity, the evergreen is sometimes said to symbolize Christ and rebirth, or everlasting life with God. There are many reasons that pines might have found their place in the home at such an important and special time of the year.
What Kinds Of Pines Are Used At Christmas?
There are multiple kinds of pine trees, of course, but only three are generally considered suitable for Christmas decorations, for several reasons. These include:
- The Scotch Pine
- The White Pine
- The Virginia Pine
All three of these trees have the classic conical shape that is associated with Christmas, and they have the rich, deep green color that makes them ideal for decorating. The White Pine has weaker branches so it should be avoided if you wish to use large ornaments, but its blue-green hues are attractive, and it is a low-scent option.
The Scotch Pine is one of the darker options, which retains its needles particularly well, minimizing the cleanup that needs to be done after Christmas. It has sturdy branches and can grow very tall, and it has plenty of room for decorations on its branches. It has more scent than the White Pine, which some people prefer, and others dislike.
Finally, the Virginia Pine has short branches and dense foliage, so it will give you a full, attractive Christmas tree. Its needles grow in pairs and it’s a rich green, with a medium amount of fragrance. Many people love this tree for their Christmas decorations.
Conclusion
Not all Christmas trees are pines, but many are, and if you choose a pine tree, you will have plenty of room for decorating and adding your own touch to the foliage. Other popular Christmas trees include certain spruces and firs, and all three conifers are used across the globe for holiday decorations.
