For many families, selecting and decorating the Christmas tree marks the true beginning of the holiday season. Choosing the right tree and providing it with the proper care can add to the festive atmosphere you create. Several species are grown and sold across the United States. Some of the more popular ones include:

• Douglas Fir: Especially popular in the Pacific Northwest, this tree is full, light weight, green in color and features 3/4 to 1-1/2-inch soft needles. It's known to have good needle retention and is good for warm environments (e.g. rooms with a fireplace).

• Balsam Fir: With needles 1/2 to 1-inch long, this tree is known for its attractive color, form, fragrance and good needle retention.

• Scotch Pine: A very popular Christmas tree, the scotch pine has very long needles (1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches) and good needle retention

• Eastern Red Cedar: More plentiful in the southern states, this tree tends to be dark in color, and dense with a strong aroma. However, you may have to deal with sticky needles and a short houselife.

• Blue Spruce: Spruce needles are short (1/2 to 1-inch long) and stiff. The trees are usually bluish-gray and dense with a nice aroma and symmetrical form, but they tend to lose their needles quickly in warm rooms and cost a bit more.

• Arizona Cypress: A steeple shaped, the Arizona Cypress is pale-green to gray-green in color. The needles are extremely tiny and quite plentiful.