The narrow leaved evergreens are a mainstay when it comes to holiday decorations. It doesn’t feel like Christmas without a real wreath made of boughs from these evergreens.

In the Northeast, the balsam fir is one of the preferred evergreens for holiday wreaths and greenery. An inch long, the needles are white beneath. This tree yields a fragrant resinous sap. These evergreen boughs can be used for every type of holiday arrangement from tabletop trees to garlands, wreaths, and holiday bowl arrangements.

Firs are one of the preferred types for Christmas trees and greenery since these tend to be long lasting. North Carolina is known for its Fraser firs.

In the West, the Douglas fir is a favorite for the holidays. This is a totally different type of evergreen than the true firs. Douglas firs are often used for Christmas trees and holiday decorations because their needles are quite resistant to shedding. The slender, linear needles densely cover the stems.

Spruces feature needle-like foliage in various shades. These trees also bear very large, beautiful cones that are included in holiday decorations. Some people report that spruces are more likely to shed their needles than the firs.

Stems of the various junipers are often seen in Christmas decorations. The eastern red cedar is a popular one, especially in the South. The aromatic leaves turn purplish in the winter. The blue fruits also add a touch of color as well.

The western red cedar is a relative of the eastern red cedar. It bears small, scale-like, blue-green to blue leaves and blue fruits with a whitish bloom.

The stems of the white pine are often seen in Christmas decorations, especially in the South. The long, slender, blue-green needles are whitish beneath, and are quite aromatic.

Arborvitaes are popular evergreen shrubs in some areas. These bear aromatic, scale-like leaflets. Some people are reportedly allergic to arborvitaes. In the South, the foliage retains its attractive color throughout the winter, while in colder areas this can turn brown. The small, scale-like leaves are borne in flat sprays.

The white cedar, also known as American arborvitae, is actually a species of arborvitae. It is native over much of the Northeast. Extremely hardy, the plant bears fruit-scented foliage and attractive cones.

The various types of yew are often used in holiday greenery. These are grown in both the West and East. Borne in attractive spirals, the narrow needle-like leaves are an inch in length. The plants bear poisonous red berries. The leaves are also toxic. Both the Japanese and English yews are grown in America with the latter being slightly less hardy.