And the right tree has to be practical, priced right and attractive, a deserving focal point for holiday decorating over several weeks. Some consumers opt for artificial trees. Another 35 percent of homes had fresh trees. Twenty percent of households had no tree for reasons such as not being home for the holidays or for personal or religious reasons. The Christmas tree association expects sales this season to top last year's 35.4 million.
Scotch pines are on the lower end of the price scale.
Here are some characteristics of the most popular holiday trees. High-end garden centers and nurseries are most likely to have the widest selection of cut firs. Dark gray, sometimes with resin blisters. The Noble fir is grown in the Pacific Northwest and is becoming more popular on the East Coast. It's still hard to find here and commands a premium price.