Calluna might know the answer to this

[martha]

What's the difference between a fir tree and a pine tree?

Please, no smart-ass replies, although I know that goes against Interference rules!


(I really do want to know.)

 

[daisybean]

fir trees have longer needles

 

[Lilly]

*points* what she said.

Also...the way the needles come off the branch. Firs tend to grow out opposite eachother so it's like this: =O=

Whereas a pine tree is more like ->O<- Not growing in an even manner out of the branch, and going more in a full circle.

Also, firs smell better.

 

[daisybean]

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas tree?

Go with a pine (blue spruce preferably), the ornaments hang better and the lights won't get buried in the needles.
Just be careful that you don't get a rash from the needles and sap.

 

[Calluna]

Oh my, Im not used to seeing my name in thread titles.

Lily and Daisybean are both correct. More specifically, both Pines and Firs are types of coniferous trees. Pines belong the genus Pinus and Firs belong to the genus Abies.

Both Pines and Firs are popular as Christmas trees. You tend to see more Pines in drier climates like California and more Firs in wet climates like the Pacific Northwest. Both make good Christmas trees so I guess it is a matter of personal preference as to which one you choose for yourself. Daisybean mentioned that she prefers Pine trees but I always choose a Noble Fir. I feel that the ornaments hang better on a Fir tree because the branches have natural gaps that allow the ornaments to hang more naturally and showcase better on the tree. Grand Firs and Frasier Firs also make excellent Christmas trees.

Hope this helps!

 

[martha]

Wow! Thanks girls!

No, I wasn't thinking about a Christmas tree. Yours truly is scared shitless of fire, so when we do put one up, we go the fake-out route. I was up in the Sierra Nevada this past weekend and was gazing out over a lovely vista full of either pine trees or fir tress and wondering what the difference was. Now I know they were pine trees.


Lame follow-up question: So only pine trees have pine cones, then? I ran over countless pine cones this weekend.

 

[Calluna]

If you were hiking in the Sierra Nevadas then I can pretty much guarantee that it was pine trees you saw.

Only pine trees have pine cones but other conifers have cones as well. They come in all different shapes and sizes.

 

[Sicy]

I prefir fir trees for christmas.

 

[Calluna]

She prefirs firs but she doesn't pine for pines. (har har)

 

[Sicy]

What a gaff!1!!@@!!!

 

[ABEL]

I prefer Cedar trees for Christmas

I grew up in the country and every year, my mom and dad and my brother and I would go hunt our own Christmas tree and my dad would chop it down from our great uncle's ranch. We'd drive out in the pick-up truck and bring hot chocolate with us

Although, I have an artificial tree, just a little tiny one in my apartment...I guess it's time to put it up eh?

 

[ghetofabu]

This thread makes me think of the holidays