The needles have the poorest retention of all the trees. The Red Pine can retain its needles about 5-7 weeks and has long flexible needles that are generally darker green in color. It is grown primarily in New England and the Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada. The White Pine tree has blue colored needles and will usually only be sold in the Northeastern United States and the Pacific Coast. Scotch Pines have stiff bluish-green needles and needles do not last quite as long as the Red Pine although they are grown in the approximately the same locations.
Balsam firs have horizontal branches perfect for ornamentation.
The Douglas Fir is not really a true fir tree but is the most popular Christmas Tree in the Pacific Northwest. It's blue-green needles are thick and grows in the Rocky Mountains and Northern Mexico. When you purchase your tree cutting permit ask for an area map were it is legal to harvest a tree. BLM offices will typically offer a pamphlet that will give you a description of what type of trees are legal to cut as well. Prior to decorating, keep your tree in a cool place - not inside at room temperature.