With the Holidays around the corner, let’s take a moment to relax and enjoy some of these fun facts about Canada’s top 5 evergreens that can make a great Christmas tree:
- The provincial tree of Manitoba can be found all over Canada
- Known for its short, stiff bluish-green with white dots on all sides of its needles and has a strong pungent scent when its needles are crushed.
- Its strong twigs can hold heavy ornaments well.
- Can be found from central to eastern Canada,
- It can be distinguished by its short, flat needles that are dark green and have slender branches.
- This can be considered the most Canadian Christmas tree!
- It is also the provincial tree in New Brunswick.
- This Ontario’s provincial tree can be considered the most graceful and simple pine, as it’s known for its long, soft needles.
- Although its feather-like needles can be difficult to hold heavy ornaments,
- They can also be used to make garlands and wreaths and is scent-free for those who are sensitive to fragrance.
- Native to the Rocky Mountain region of the United States,
- Blue spruce (also known as Colorado spruce), which has been planted for ornamental purposes can be easily identified by its sharp-pointed, bright blue needles that can appear almost silvery-blue.
- Its nice pyramidal shape and stiff branches are able to hold heavy ornaments.
- Also known as Scotch Pine.
- Found in Europe and Asia, this pine had been one of the first tree species introduced to North America to help with soil erosion by reforesting abandoned agricultural fields and can make for a great Christmas tree!
Quick tips for sourcing, caring, and disposing of your live tree:
- To determine what type of tree can survive in your hardiness zone, buy from your local nursery.
- Water your live tree accordingly! Make sure it’s not too dry or too wet.
- Make sure your tree is located away from any heat sources.
- You can re-plant your tree once the holidays are over or reuse them in other sustainable ways!
At the end of the Holiday season, you can donate your tree to the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) to help aid them in various stream-restoration projects around aquatic ecosystems. Make sure to pre-register to donate your tree! To learn more about this initiative head over to their website.
