The first step in selecting your Christmas tree is to determine where in your home you are going to display it. This will help to determine how tall a tree you will want and how many sides of it you will display. Try to find a tree that gives you the height you need without having to cut a large portion off of the top or bottom, as this may destroy the natural symmetry of the tree. Your next step will be to decide upon which species you want to select. White pines have clusters of 5 needles.
Pines hold their needles the best even when they dry out.
Firs, Douglas-fir, and spruce do not have clusters of needles. Firs and Douglas-fir hold their needles fairly well, but spruce needles will begin to shed in a week or so after being put in the house. With spruce trees, it is best to wait until just before Christmas to put it up. When selecting from trees already cut at local stores, make sure the needles are fresh and green. Moisture content of the needles determines if a tree will stay fresh for the season.