Although both members of the Pinaceae or pine family, the Douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) trees are not closely related. Fraser fir is botanically a true fir, as it's a member of genus Abies.
Is a Fraser fir a pine tree?
What type of tree is a Fraser fir?
The Fraser fir is a high-altitude conifer tree related to the northern balsam fir. Abies fraseri occupies a very restricted native range in higher locations in the southern Appalachian mountains. Acid rain and the woolly adelgid are taking a direct and high toll on naturally occurring stands of Fraser fir.
How can you tell a pine tree from a fir tree?
On true pine trees, the needles are arranged and attached to the branches in clusters of two (red pine group), three (yellow pine group), or five (white pine group) needles per cluster. Spruce and fir trees have their needles attached individually to the branches.
Are Christmas trees fir or pine?
The main difference between pine tree and Christmas tree is that pine tree is an evergreen coniferous tree while Christmas tree is a decorated coniferous tree like pine, fir, and spuce or an artificial tree associated with Christmas. Christmas tree is an evergreen tree decorated with lights and ornaments at Christmas.
What kind of pine tree is a Christmas tree?
The balsam fir is that all-around, classic Christmas tree. "It has a strong, 'spicy' Christmas tree scent and its conical form and dark green color make it what most people identify with as a Christmas tree," Radin says. "It also has excellent needle retention!
Which is better Fraser or balsam fir?
Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir are both better species of fir. Both are used for Christmas trees and medicine. But Fraser Fir is more popular for more Christmas trees. While Balsam Fir is known for the use of Christmas trees as well as furniture and plywood.
What does a Fraser fir look like?
Fraser fir has blue-green needles with silvery undersides. The branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments. The trees have a pleasant scent and needle retention is excellent.
How can you tell if a tree is a fir rather than a pine or spruce?
Spruce Tree Key Features
- Branches less densely packed than a Fir.
- Needles are short, 4 sided with a pointed, sharp edge.
- You can roll a Spruce needle in between your fingers, unlike a Fir needle.
- Needles are connected to the stem by a woody attachment. …
- Cones of Spruce are long and hang down from the tree.
How can you tell the difference between spruce pine and fir?
Fir needles are flat and fat (think FFF). Fir cones stand on top of the branch. Pine tree needles grow in clusters of 2, 3 or 5 needles depending on if they are red, yellow or white pines and, the needles can grow very long (Think of a Scotch Pine at Christmas).