Nordmann fir or Norway spruce: which should you choose?
2 min read
The two most popular real Christmas trees compared on needles, scent, shape, price and how long they last indoors.
Most people buying a real tree are choosing between these two. The short version: a Nordmann fir is the low-fuss choice, and a Norway spruce is the traditional one.
At a glance
| Nordmann fir | Norway spruce | |
|---|---|---|
| Needles | Soft, flat, glossy | Short, fine, pointed |
| Needle drop | Very little | More, and sooner |
| Scent | Light and clean | Strong, classic pine |
| Shape | Full, even, dense | Bushy pyramid, a little more open |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Put it up | From late November | From around the second week of December |
Needles
This is the biggest difference. A Nordmann holds its needles through the season with ordinary care. A Norway spruce starts to shed once it dries out, and a centrally heated room speeds that up. If you want the tree up for four weeks, or you dislike sweeping, choose the Nordmann.
The Nordmann’s needles are also soft to the touch. Spruce needles are finer and sharper, which is worth knowing if small children or pets will be around the lower branches.
Scent
Here the spruce wins. It gives off the strong, resinous smell that many people associate with Christmas. A Nordmann smells fresh but faint, and you may barely notice it after a few days.
Shape and decorating
A Nordmann has sturdy, well-spaced tiers that carry heavier baubles and make lights easy to wind. A spruce has more, thinner branches, which gives a dense, twiggy look that suits lots of small decorations and tinsel.
Price
A Norway spruce grows faster, so it costs less: typically several pounds less at 5 feet and more than that at 7 feet.
How to decide
- Choose a Nordmann fir if you want the tree up early, have children or pets, or want the least mess.
- Choose a Norway spruce if scent and tradition matter most, you are watching the budget, and you are happy to buy a little later and keep the stand topped up.
Whichever you pick, how you look after it matters as much as the species. See how to keep a real Christmas tree fresh.