Pine, spruce or fir: Choosing the perfect Christmas tree

A really warm jacket, an axe and athermos of something warmare essentialwhen on the hunt for a Christmas tree.

But what makes for the perfect tree?

"First, you're looking for a conifer, something that has needles this time of year. So that will restrict you to a pine, or spruce, or a fir," explained Grant Wood,assistant professor in the department of plant sciences at the University of Saskatchewan.

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"But the trees that retain the needles the longest and have the nice aroma to it are the fir treesand then either the pine or the spruce."

Wood told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning that fir trees are the ones that are usually sold on Christmas tree lots.

"If the needles are flat on the ends and have a nice aroma to them, that will be a fir tree and the bark will be smooth and greyish," he said.

He added that spruce trees can be distinguished by the rougher bark and pointed needles. Pines, on the other hand, usually have needles that are grouped in twos.

In to water, out of sun

According to Wood, the most important step comes after the tree has been chopped down.

"Get it into water warm water, not boiling hot water as fast as you can."

He said if the tree is bought precut, cut off the bottom two inchesof the trunk to remove hardened sap. That allows the tree to absorb water.

He also noted not to place the Christmas tree in front of a south window or in front of vents.