Christmas tree types
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Last Updated: 18 November 2023

They are at least three best-selling Christmas Tree types in France: spruce, Nordmann and noble fir trees.


Christmas tree types in France

Christmas tree types
Fir tree market in Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments

Most people who want to have a real tree at home go to a Christmas Tree stand located at a local supermarket, Christmas market or a specific place designated by the municipality. There, the seller often knows how to properly prune a Christmas tree which can make a huge difference when it is put up at home. Most French households buy one of the following types of fir trees:


Spruce – Épicéa (Picea abies)

28% of total sales in France.

The needles of the spruce fir are rectangular unlike the fir tree which has flat needles. The needle retention is poor unless the tree is cut fresh and kept regularly watered. The tree offers a strong pine odour particularly appreciated at Christmas.


Nordmann Fir – Sapin de Nordmann (Abies nordmanniana)

67% of total sales in France.

The Nordmann fir is one of the most important types grown for Christmas trees as its soft needles have an excellent retention unlike the spruce. However it is not particularly odorant.


Noble Fir – Nobilis (Abies procera)

The noble fir is known for its beauty. The fir tree has a long keep ability, and its branches are made up of soft needles with good retention. This means there is no need to spend much time in cleaning needles off the floor. Unlike the Nordmann fir, it spreads the homes with a great pine fragrance.


Other types sold in France

Other types of Christmas trees sold in France include Pungens firs (Picea Pungens) and Omorika firs (Picea Omorika).


Find out more about Christmas Trees in France.

 

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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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